The offer call moves fast, and the details that matter most are easy to skip. Here are the questions worth asking about the unit, the schedule, the pay and the contract before you say yes, so there are no surprises on your first shift.
Ask for the typical ratio on your shift, the patient mix, the devices and drips you would manage, and how often travelers are floated to other units. Ask how many travelers are on the unit and how long they stay. A unit with long-term travelers who extend is usually a good sign.
Confirm shift length, start times, how many shifts per week, and whether weekends, holidays and call are required. Ask whether you can request specific days off and how that is handled. Get the schedule you were promised in writing, since the posting and the real schedule sometimes differ.
Ask for the weekly gross, the taxable hourly rate, the stipend amounts, the overtime rate and the guaranteed hours. Ask what happens if the unit cancels your shift. See how a weekly package is built if any of those terms are new.
Ask how long orientation is, whether it is paid, and what is expected before your first shift, such as health clearance, immunization records and EMR training. Ask who your point of contact is on the unit and what the start date depends on.
Line up weekly gross, guaranteed hours, ratio, schedule, benefits start date and housing cost for each. A slightly lower number with guaranteed hours and a good ratio often beats a bigger number with loose terms. For a specialty example, read the travel ICU nurse guide or the jobs overview.
Yes. Recruiters expect it, and clear answers up front prevent most problems later.
Yes. Ask that the schedule, hours guarantee, pay rates and cancellation terms appear in the contract, not only on the phone.
Often yes. Ask your recruiter to arrange a call so you can hear the ratio, the culture and the expectations directly.
Raise it with your recruiter right away. Having the original terms in writing makes that conversation much easier.
No. Placement is free to you. The facility pays our fee.
Two minutes now saves a dozen irrelevant calls later. We only get in touch when something genuinely matches your specialty, your states and the schedule you actually want.
Tell us your specialty, the states you will work and the schedule you want. We will lay out the terms before you decide.