The Pros and Cons of Extending Your Travel Nurse Contract

AB Staffing Solutions provided this article.

Are you enjoying your travel assignment? Are you flexible regarding the night vs. day shift? Do you want to explore the area more? If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider asking your Recruiter about extending your travel contract. While we cannot guarantee an extension, we will ask what is possible. Not all travel nurse contracts can be extended as it depends on factors that include:

• Needs at the medical facility
• Demand for your specialty
• Demand for healthcare services in the area

Contract extensions can be unpredictable at times, but your recruiter should always be looking for ways to keep you happy and employed. Make sure to ask about 7/8 weeks into your contract if an extension is possible if you want one. Keep in mind that extended travel nurse contracts have pros and cons.

Pros of Extending Your Travel Nurse Contract

Let’s talk about the pros of staying in one place for more than 13 weeks, the average length of a travel contract.

1. Stability and Continuity. Extending a travel nurse contract provides job security and a familiar work environment. The systems, processes, and people are familiar. If you stay, take advantage of the benefits of building relationships with colleagues, patients, and communities. The longer you’re in a position, the better for your professional development and skill enhancement. It’s also stability for you and your family to be on the same routines for an extended time rather than having to transition to a new place and routine every few months.
2. Enhanced Relationships. Because you’re staying longer, you’re able to continue to build strong work relationships with colleagues, patients, and communities. You’re able to grow a professional network that can lead to other opportunities while learning from others. You’re better able to build relationships with patients, explaining treatment in terms they and their loved ones understand. With all this, you’re building trust so that when you need help, you can ask and offer help to other colleagues and patients.
3. Opportunity for Growth. Choosing to extend a travel nurse contract can lead to professional development and skill enhancement. You’re learning how to effectively support different communities in ways they understand. Not every population is the same in terms of how they are cared for, so this is an opportunity to continue learning not only about patient care, but also procedures, both of which help you grow professionally.
4. Financial Gains. If you choose to stay, you will be able to save more and go on more adventures when you’re not working. Extend your summer contract through the fall and then take time off for the holidays, resuming work in the new year.

There is comfort in settling into one place. We get it. Your days have a rhythm, and you realize you love the place and its people. And if it works that you can continue to care for patients and serve the community, we’d love to help you make that happen.

Let’s face it, there is something to be said for what stability can do. 

You know how much money you earn, how much to save, and what you can spend when you’re not working.

What if you love change? What if routines bore you? Extending the contract might not be a good choice for you.

Cons of Extended Travel Nurse Contract

Our travelers tell us that while they may extend a contract, they also find downsides to staying in one place.

1. Career Stagnation. Perhaps a position or living situation isn’t what you thought it would be. If you were expecting to learn more or care for a particular patient population that’s not meeting expectations, it can feel like your career stagnates. You’d rather move on to another experience than stay where you are, and that’s okay. Talk to your Recruiter about your expectations and what is happening at the current facility so they can better match you in the future.
2. Burnout Risk. If you feel like you’ve met career expectations for a position and/or you do not like where you’re living, then it may be time to move. Maybe you’ve checked off all the items on your bucket list, and your days feel routine. Extended contracts may limit the ability to explore new locations and opportunities, especially if you’re not feeling inspired by your work. If you’re experiencing the same workload day in and day out, then changing contracts can provide opportunities to expand your skills and knowledge.
3. Financial Considerations. Evaluate the aspects of extending contracts. Ask questions like if there is a salary increase, bonus, or other benefits associated with extending. The answers can influence your decision to extend a travel nurse contract or look for a new one.
4. Family Events. Depending on how far you are from loved ones, you might want to move closer. If there are family events like siblings getting married and starting their families or as parents and grandparents age, you may want your children to be close to their cousins, so remaining in a different place may not be as attractive as it once was.

The decision to extend a travel nurse contract is up to you. As with making the decision to be a travel nurse, this takes thinking and asking your recruiter questions to evaluate what is best for you. We’d never want you to feel like you’re stuck or need to cancel a contract because you can’t fulfill the obligation.

Whatever you choose, the AB Staffing team is here to support you.

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