Crisis Contracts for Travel Nurses

Crisis Contracts for Travel Nurses


Travel nurses are in demand now due to the ongoing pandemic. Recently, we highlighted which states consistently request travel nurses, how nurses can work in different states, and the pay travel nurses receive as a result of the demand. This is a time to succeed for travel nurses. But before accepting a travel assignment, consider what to look out for.

What are Crisis Contracts?

A crisis contract, or rapid response contract, for travel nurses is for assignments that are going to start rapidly. In some cases, they can start within 48 hours. The length of these assignments are typically shorter than usual, and on a “to be determined” status. Crisis nurses are sent out due to a sudden increase in illness or patients, or due to internal issues like a software upgrade rolling out sooner than expected.

Reasons to Take Crisis Contracts

Crisis contract assignments require travel nurses to be flexible and to adapt to brand-new environments quickly. In exchange, they receive things like higher base wages, bonuses, and a larger housing stipend since it’s more difficult to find housing on short notice. Nurses may also receive shift bonuses and stipends for travel and food.

What to Consider Before Signing a Crisis Contract

Things move rapidly when a travel nurse accepts a rapid response assignment. So, it’s important to be familiar with the hiring company, the types of assignments that may come up, and what duties will need to be performed. A crisis travel nurse should feel comfortable performing duties within their scope of practice. In addition, they should have access to the resources needed for the assignment on site or provided by the hiring agency.

Most importantly, the hiring company or institution should be willing to support their travel nurses. This means fulfilling promises, being accessible to answer questions in a timely manner, and understand what an assignment requires.

Keeping these things in mind will help nurses avoid contracts that may put the travel nurse in difficult situations as a result of not understanding the assignment, risks involved, or asking a nurse to operate outside their scope of practice.

If you’re looking to take on a crisis contract or fill an urgent nursing need, create an Actriv profile and start working today.

Latest Posts