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Payment Terms & Schedule
Verify exact pay rate, frequency (weekly/bi-weekly), and any deductions.
Watch for: Vague payment schedules, history of late payments, or unclear deductions from your check.
Suggestion: Request a written pay breakdown showing base rate, stipends, and all deductions before signing.
Contract Cancellation Terms
Understand termination conditions for both you and the facility.
Watch for: Hospital can cancel anytime with no penalty, but you face financial consequences for leaving.
Suggestion: Negotiate mutual cancellation terms — if the facility can cancel penalty-free, you should be able to as well.
Housing & Lodging Benefits
Confirm stipend amount, tax treatment, and what happens if housing falls through.
Watch for: Taxable stipend, amount inadequate for the area, or no alternative if housing is unavailable.
Suggestion: Compare the stipend to local rent prices and ask for a backup housing clause in case arrangements fall through.
Health Insurance Coverage
Review plan details, coverage start date, and your out-of-pocket premium costs.
Watch for: No coverage offered, delayed start date (30+ days), or excessive employee contribution.
Suggestion: Ask for day-one coverage and get the plan summary document — not just a verbal promise — before you start.
Licensure & Certification Costs
Verify reimbursement for state licenses, certifications, and renewals.
Watch for: No reimbursement offered, or you must prepay and wait months for repayment.
Suggestion: Ask for upfront reimbursement or a signing stipend that covers licensing costs before your start date.
Completion Bonus
Confirm bonus amount, payment timeline, and conditions required to receive it.
Watch for: Excessive conditions, prorated unfairly, or bonus withheld for minor infractions.
Suggestion: Get the exact bonus conditions in writing and confirm whether it prorates if the facility ends the contract early.
Shift Differential Pay
Check night, weekend, and holiday pay premium rates.
Watch for: No differential for nights or weekends, or rates lower than market standard.
Suggestion: Ask for the differential rate schedule in writing and compare it against BLS averages for your area.
On-Call Requirements
Understand on-call frequency, compensation, and expected response time.
Watch for: Unpaid on-call time, excessive frequency, or unclear compensation when called in.
Suggestion: Negotiate a flat on-call rate plus your full hourly rate when called in, with a cap on monthly on-call shifts.
Travel & Relocation Costs
Verify reimbursement for travel to the assignment and return home.
Watch for: No travel pay, or you must complete the full contract or repay travel costs.
Suggestion: Ask for a separate travel stipend paid upfront, not contingent on contract completion.
Floating Policy
Understand when and where you can be floated to other units.
Watch for: Can be floated to any unit regardless of your competency, or excessive floating frequency.
Suggestion: Request a float clause limiting you to units within your specialty or competency area.
Additional Resources
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