Cancelled for Low Census? Your Rights to Housing Stipends

“We Don’t Need You Anymore.”

It is the text message every travel nurse dreads.

You are 3 weeks into a 13-week assignment. You just paid $3,000 for your first month’s Airbnb. You drove 1,200 miles to get here.

Then the hospital census drops. The manager decides they don’t need travelers this week. Your contract is cancelled effective immediately.

The big question: Do you still get your housing stipend?

The short answer: No.

The long answer: It depends on what you negotiated.

Here is how the “Low Census” trap works and how to protect your bank account before you sign your next contract.

The “At-Will” Employment Trap

Most travel nurse contracts are “At-Will.” This means the hospital can fire you for any reason (or no reason) without notice.

However, agencies often sell you on “Guaranteed Hours.”

• “Don’t worry,” the recruiter says. “You have 36 hours guaranteed!”

The Loophole: Guaranteed Hours usually only apply while the contract is active. If the hospital terminates the contract entirely due to low census, the guarantee vanishes. You get paid for the hours you worked, and then the money stops.

The agency will not pay your housing stipend if you aren’t clocking in.

The Housing Lease Disaster

This is where travelers go broke.

If you signed a 3-month lease for an apartment and your contract ends on Day 20, you are still liable for the rent. The landlord doesn’t care about the hospital census.

If you are paying $2,500/month and have to break the lease, you could be out $5,000+ in fees and remaining rent, with zero income coming in.

How to Protect Yourself (3 Strategies)

1. The “2-Week Notice” Clause

Never sign a contract that allows “Immediate Termination” for low census. Demand a 2-Week Notice Clause.

• What it does: It forces the hospital (or agency) to pay you for 2 more weeks if they cancel you early.
• Why it matters: This gives you 14 days of pay to cover your lease break fee or find a new job.

2. Month-to-Month Housing Only

In 2026, signing a 90-day lease is financial suicide.

• Use Furnished Finder or Airbnb but negotiate a month-to-month rate.
• Yes, it might cost $100 more per month, but it saves you $5,000 if you get cancelled.

3. Ask for a “Missed Shift” Penalty

Some strong contracts require the hospital to pay for your housing stipend even if they call you off, as long as you were available to work. Check your contract for the words “Stipend Reduction”—if you see them, ask to have them removed.

What to Do If You Get Cancelled Today

1. Read Your Lease: Look for a “Military/Medical Clause.” Some landlords allow essential workers to break leases without penalty.
2. File for Unemployment: Yes, travel nurses can file for unemployment in the state where they worked (or their tax home), depending on the rules.
3. Get Re-Matched Immediately: You don’t have time to browse job boards. You need a recruiter who has “Crisis” needs that start tomorrow.

Get Matched with Urgent Needs Here We connect you with agencies that need nurses ASAP to fill gaps.

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Pro Tip: Before you sign a lease, calculate how much “Safety Net” cash you have. Use our Travel Nurse Pay Calculator to see how fast you can rebuild your savings on your next contract.