Your Travel Nurse Contract Got Cancelled: What to Do Next (Step-by-Step)

I got the call on a Tuesday afternoon. My recruiter’s voice was apologetic: “The facility is cutting census. Your contract is being cancelled effective Friday.”

I had two weeks left. I’d just signed a 3-month lease. My heart dropped.

If you’re reading this because your contract just got cancelled, take a breath. You’re not alone—this happens to experienced travelers too. Here’s exactly what to do, step by step.

First 24 Hours: Damage Control

1. Get Everything in Writing

Before you spiral, get documentation:

• Written confirmation of the cancellation (email from recruiter)
• Effective date of termination
• Reason for cancellation (census, budget, performance)
• Any compensation you’re owed (remaining shifts, guaranteed hours)

Why this matters: You may need this for unemployment claims, housing negotiations, or if there’s a dispute about pay.

2. Check Your Contract for Cancellation Terms

Pull out your contract and find:

• Cancellation clause — What notice were you supposed to receive?
• Guaranteed hours clause — Are you owed pay for scheduled shifts?
• Housing provisions — What happens if agency provided housing?
• Completion bonus status — Did you lose a completion bonus?

Many contracts guarantee 36-48 hours of pay even if you’re cancelled mid-week. Some have cancellation fees the facility owes. Know what you’re owed.

3. Calculate Your Financial Position

Be realistic about where you stand:

• Current bank balance: $_____
• Paychecks still coming: $_____ (final check + any owed pay)
• Housing costs if you stay: $_____/month
• Housing penalty if you leave: $_____
• Monthly expenses: $_____
• Months you can survive: _____

This tells you how urgently you need a new assignment.

4. Contact Your Recruiter About Next Steps

Call (don’t text) your recruiter and ask:

• “Do you have any assignments I can start immediately?”
• “What assignments are available in my specialty within the next 2 weeks?”
• “Can you reach out to other hospitals in this area?”
• “What’s the fastest you can get me placed?”

Good recruiters will already be searching before you call.

Week 1: Get Your Next Assignment

Work Multiple Angles Simultaneously

Don’t rely on just your current agency. Cast a wide net:

Your current agency:

• They know you, have your credentials, can move fast
• Ask specifically about rapid-start or crisis positions

Other agencies you’ve worked with:

• Call previous recruiters—they may have immediate openings
• Your credentials are already on file

New agencies with urgent needs:

• Platforms like Vivian, Nomad, and Trusted show quick-start jobs
• Filter for “ASAP” or “urgent” start dates
• Be willing to consider locations you wouldn’t normally

Direct hospital applications:

• Some hospitals hire travelers directly
• Check hospital career pages for “temporary” or “PRN” positions

Consider These Fast-Track Options

Rapid Response/Crisis Assignments:

• Higher pay, immediate start
• More intense schedules (often 48+ hours/week)
• Less location choice

Extension at Current Facility:

• Sometimes the unit that cancelled you isn’t the whole hospital
• Ask if other units need help

Local Per Diem:

• Not ideal pay, but keeps income coming
• Available almost immediately
• No housing concerns

Strike Nursing:

• If a strike is happening, agencies need nurses fast
• Premium pay, but demanding schedule

What If Nothing Is Available?

If the market is slow or you need a break:

1. File for unemployment — You may qualify (varies by state)
2. Consider PRN work near your tax home
3. Use the time strategically — Update certifications, take courses
4. Set a deadline — “I’ll take any reasonable contract by [date]“

Housing: The Immediate Crisis

If You Took Agency Housing

Good news: Not your problem. The agency handles it.

But confirm:

• When do you need to vacate?
• Can you stay extra days while finding new housing?
• Is there a checkout process?

If You’re Renting Independently

This is where cancellations hurt the most.

Immediate steps:

1. Read your lease — What are your options?

   • Month-to-month? Give notice and leave.
   • Fixed-term? Check for early termination clause.

2. Contact your landlord — Explain the situation:

   “I’m a travel nurse and my hospital contract was cancelled. I may need to relocate for a new assignment. Can we discuss options for ending the lease early?”

3. Know your leverage:

   • Many landlords prefer avoiding the hassle of eviction
   • Offer to help find a replacement tenant
   • Negotiate a reduced penalty

4. Calculate break-lease costs:

   • Typical penalties: 1-2 months rent
   • Compare to: Paying rent on empty apartment

Best outcome: Landlord lets you leave with 30-day notice and partial or no penalty.

Worst outcome: You owe remaining lease balance. Consider subletting.

Housing Decision Matrix

Finances: Surviving the Gap

Immediate Money Moves

Collect everything owed:

• Final paycheck
• Unused PTO (if your agency pays it out)
• Guaranteed hours pay (check your contract)
• Travel reimbursement (if you haven’t received it)
• Referral bonuses pending

Cut non-essential spending:

• Pause subscriptions
• Skip dining out
• Postpone major purchases

If you’re really tight:

• 0% APR credit card for emergencies (not ideal, but better than missing rent)
• Personal loan from bank/credit union
• Family support (no shame—this is what emergencies are for)

File for Unemployment

You may be eligible. Requirements vary by state, but generally:

• You worked enough hours in the “base period”
• You lost your job through no fault of your own
• You’re available and looking for work

To file:

1. Go to your state’s unemployment website (usually tax home state)
2. File a claim immediately (there’s often a waiting week)
3. Provide documentation of termination
4. Report earnings from any work you do during the claim

Timeline: Usually 2-4 weeks to start receiving benefits.

Amount: Typically 40-60% of your previous earnings, up to a state cap.

Tax Implications

Getting cancelled mid-contract can affect your taxes:

• Tax home status — Still valid if you maintain your permanent residence
• Stipends received — Already tax-free if you qualified
• Deductions — Job search expenses may be deductible

If you’re concerned, talk to a travel nurse CPA.

Protecting Your Reputation

Don’t Burn Bridges

Even if you’re frustrated:

• Thank your manager and coworkers at the facility
• Don’t badmouth the hospital on social media
• Leave professionally — You might want to return

Get References Before You Go

Ask charge nurses or managers:

“Would you be willing to serve as a reference for future assignments?”

Get contact info and write it down. References from the cancelling facility show you weren’t the problem.

Document Everything

Keep records of:

• Dates worked
• Performance feedback
• Reason for cancellation
• Any incidents (or lack thereof)

If someone ever questions why you left mid-contract, you want documentation.

Emotional Recovery

Let’s be real: getting cancelled feels awful.

You might feel:

• Rejected
• Anxious about money
• Worried about your future
• Embarrassed

Remember:

1. It’s almost never personal. Hospitals cancel for budget reasons, not because of you.
2. It happens to everyone. Ask any experienced traveler—most have been cancelled.
3. It’s temporary. The market fluctuates. You’ll find something.
4. You’re still a good nurse. Census-based cancellations have nothing to do with your skills.

Take a day to be upset if you need to. Then get moving.

Preventing Future Cancellations

You can’t eliminate the risk, but you can reduce it:

Before Signing Contracts

• Ask about census history — “How often does this unit have low census?”
• Check facility reviews — Do other travelers mention cancellations?
• Look for guaranteed hours clauses — Protection if cancelled
• Prefer longer notice requirements — 30 days > 2 weeks

During Assignments

• Be indispensable — Pick up extra shifts, be flexible
• Build relationships — Managers fight to keep nurses they like
• Stay aware — If census is dropping, start looking early

Financial Preparation

• Emergency fund — 3 months of expenses, non-negotiable
• Avoid long leases — Month-to-month or extended stay hotels
• Don’t overspend — Live below your means, even with good pay

Action Checklist: Print This

Day 1

• Get cancellation in writing
• Review your contract
• Calculate your financial runway
• Call your recruiter
• Check other agencies for quick-start jobs

Week 1

• Apply to multiple positions
• Talk to your landlord (if renting)
• File for unemployment (if gap expected)
• Get references from current assignment
• Update your profile on travel nurse platforms

Before You Leave

• Collect final pay
• Return facility badges/equipment
• Thank colleagues
• Document your experience
• Confirm health insurance status

You’ve Got This

I’ve been cancelled three times now. Each time felt like the end of the world. Each time, I found a new assignment within 2-3 weeks.

The travel nursing market needs you. Even in slow periods, facilities are short-staffed. The assignment that just fell through wasn’t your only option—it was just one option.

Keep your head up, work your network, and you’ll be back on the floor before you know it.

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Related Resources

• Contract Cancellation Policy Guide
• Low Census Cancellation Rights
• Guaranteed Hours in Contracts
• Health Insurance Between Assignments
• Best Travel Nurse Agencies 2026
• Agency Comparison Tool — Compare agencies quickly