Leah Perez
VP of Hire Up Healthcare
April 2023

Let’s talk travel contracts! Travel RN and Allied contract lengths are important job variables when considering traveling.  Different travelers will desire to work different shifts and contract lengths. Some travelers like night shifts and some like days. Some prefer the standard 13-week contract, while some will only work shorter contracts. Understanding how shifts and contract length fit into the landscape will help travelers understand the ramifications of their preferences on these issues.

4-8 Week Contract

• Pros- Experience more facilities and their processes in the year than you would with longer contracts, flexibility, can get in and out quickly, with little time to feel homesick, you make more friends, experience more diversity, see more places/cities, if you don’t like the facility/people/location then you get to leave sooner being that it’s a short period of time, getting paid to travel to more places, less of a chance of cancellation or rate decreases mid contract.
• Cons- More time traveling (airports, driving, etc) which means more time spent packing, unpacking, settling in, more time in airports/etc…. Just when you settle in, you are done… the stress and instability of more time hustling up your next contract- might feel like you are constantly looking instead of taking breather from the hunt while on longer contracts, if you like the facility/people/location and they don’t offer an extension then you don’t get a choice to stay- the contract is up so you must go, harder time finding housing or car rental since the timeframe is so short.
  
  

13 Week Contract

• Pros- get good experience with facility/process, feels more comfortable and less feeling like you are unfamiliar with a facility and it’s people, traveling less=less travel stress/chaos, less packing/settling in, less hunting down housing or next contract, higher possibility of extension if you like the location/facility, getting to know newly acquainted friends/colleagues and build stronger bonds/relationships, finding housing may be easier with longer commitment 
• Cons- if you don’t like the facility/location, then you are stuck longer… higher possibility of mid contract rate changes or cancellations 
  
  

26 Week Contract

• Pros- Easier to find housing with the longer commitment, less chaos in finding new contract/housing/traveling, building stronger connections/relationships with friends and colleagues, stability, if you like the location/city you get more time to explore and enjoy.
• Cons- More time spent away from loved ones, higher possibility of homesickness, higher possibility of cancellation or mid contract rate changes, if you don’t like the facility/location then you are stuck there longer, less of a possibility of an extension, less flexibility in requesting unexpected time off because RTO typically has to be disclosed before you start your contract.
  
  

Need Help Finding Your Next Travel Assignment?

The life of a travel healthcare professional provides freedom to work anywhere they want!   Hire Up Healthcare specializes in connecting you to your ideal opportunity and we will always focus on building long-lasting relationships through honesty and transparency. When it comes to travel contracts, bigger does not always mean better. While we have an extensive network of job opportunities, our experienced team is dedicated to making your experience our priority. There are a lot of moving parts in getting set up for a new assignment, but we take care of all the details along the way. Adventure awaits, let Hire Up Healthcare help show you where to go next! Check out our open healthcare jobs – https://jobs.hireuphealthcare.com/

Leah Perez, VP of Healthcare | April 2023

As the Vice President of Hire Up Healthcare Leah focuses on the national level clients. Leah has over 16 years of recruiting experience in various industries from medical/clinical to administrative/accounting, all of which has launched her to being one of the most well-respected staffing leaders in California. Clients and candidates would describe her as urgent, ethical, and most importantly she takes the time to understand her clients needs so she can properly assist them. Leah would love to speak with you so she can help your business reach new heights.