Last Updated: April 2026
Travel Nursing Contract Review: Your Pre-Signing Checklist
Never sign a travel nursing contract without a thorough review. This checklist covers every clause worth verifying — print it out, walk through it clause by clause, and flag anything that doesn't match.
The Contract Review Checklist
Pay Package
- ☐Base hourly rate broken out from stipends
- ☐Housing stipend at or above GSA rate
- ☐M&IE per diem matches GSA rate
- ☐Completion bonus terms and conditions
- ☐Overtime pay at 1.5x base rate
- ☐Guaranteed hours (minimum 36/week)
Cancellation & Termination
- ☐Mutual cancellation terms
- ☐Equal notice periods for both parties
- ☐Penalty caps disclosed in dollar amounts
- ☐No clawback on completion bonus if facility cancels
Scheduling & Working Conditions
- ☐Floating policy (limited to your specialty)
- ☐On-call requirements and compensation
- ☐Weekend/holiday frequency
- ☐Orientation fully paid
Benefits
- ☐Health insurance start date (day one preferred)
- ☐Dental and vision coverage
- ☐401(k) eligibility and match
- ☐PTO or sick leave accrual
Licensure & Travel
- ☐Licensure reimbursement amount and timing
- ☐Certification reimbursement
- ☐Travel reimbursement amount
- ☐Moving expense coverage
Want an expert-level review? Get the $9 Contract Audit Kit.
- ✓ Word-for-word counter-offer emails for each red flag clause
- ✓ Scripts for negotiating with recruiters by phone
- ✓ Legal addendum language to modify bad clauses
- ✓ What to say if they push back or say "it's standard"
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Pay Package: What to Verify
Make sure your pay package breaks out base rate, housing, and M&IE as separate line items — not rolled into a blended rate. Blended rates hide how much is taxable vs. tax-free.
Full pay package breakdown →Cancellation and Termination Clauses
The most important clause in any travel contract. Verify mutual cancellation terms with equal notice periods. If the facility can cancel with 24 hours notice, you should be able to as well.
Housing and Stipend Terms
Verify stipend amounts against GSA per diem rates for the assignment location. If your stipend is below GSA rate, push back — it's a clear sign the agency is keeping margin.
Floating, On-Call, and Overtime Policies
Get floating limits in writing — ideally restricted to units within your specialty. Confirm on-call compensation rates and frequency. Ensure overtime is explicitly defined at 1.5x base rate.
What to Do If You Find a Red Flag
Don't sign. Contact your recruiter and request the clause be modified. Reputable agencies expect pushback and will usually accommodate reasonable requests. If the agency refuses, consider a different agency.
See the 12 biggest contract red flags →📊 Data Methodology
Salary figures on this page are 2026 estimates derived from the most recent available U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, based on the May 2024 survey and published in March 2025. Estimated ranges may also incorporate publicly available 2025 job postings, hospital pay schedules, regional market conditions, and reported compensation trends.
Official 2026 OEWS wage data has not yet been released. All salary figures on this page should be treated as informational estimates rather than official government statistics or guaranteed compensation rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a travel nursing contract?
Can I negotiate after I've already signed?
Should I have a lawyer review my contract?
How long should I spend reviewing a contract?
Download your free nursing contract audit kit — scripts, checklists, and counter-offer language
- ✓ Word-for-word counter-offer emails for each red flag clause
- ✓ Scripts for negotiating with recruiters by phone
- ✓ Legal addendum language to modify bad clauses
- ✓ What to say if they push back or say "it's standard"
Instant access · Free · No credit card