Travel Nurse Contract Review Checklist

The 24 points to verify in the written contract — not the recruiter's email — before you sign. Print it, or use it on screen with the linked calculators.

Free to print and share. From travelnursecalc.com/checklists/

1. The Money

  • Taxable hourly rate stated separately from stipends (never accept blended-only quotes)
  • Housing + meal stipends listed with weekly dollar amounts
  • Stipend at or below the GSA ceiling for the assignment ZIP (check: /tools/stipend-calculator/)
  • Overtime rate and threshold stated (multiplies the TAXABLE rate — verify the math)
  • Travel reimbursement amount and payout schedule (first check / last check split?)
  • Any bonuses in writing with exact payout conditions

2. Hours & Cancellation

  • Guaranteed hours per week stated as a number (36 or 40)
  • Facility call-off cap: max 1 shift per 13 weeks (or call-offs paid)
  • Your sick-day treatment: penalty amount, and whether missed shifts extend the contract
  • Facility cancellation notice period (push for 30 days or a kill fee)
  • Your early-termination penalty (liquidated damages) — amount and exclusions
  • What happens on a mid-contract rate cut: right to finish at original rate

3. The Work

  • Unit and shift specified (not 'as assigned')
  • Float policy: acuity limits, frequency cap, or differential in writing
  • Ratio expectations stated for your unit and shift
  • Call requirements: pager rate, call-back rate + minimum payout, rotation frequency
  • Orientation paid at full rate with full stipend from day one
  • Weekend/holiday requirements and differentials broken out

4. Before You Sign

  • Contract matches the recruiter's verbal quote line-by-line
  • Blended rate computed and compared against competing offers (/tools/blended-rate-calculator/)
  • Offer graded against market (/tools/contract-grade/)
  • Stipend margin checked for the city: allowance vs real rent (/tools/gsa-rate-explorer/)
  • Tax home documentation solid before relying on tax-free stipends (/tools/tax-home-validator/)
  • Every negotiated change appears in the written contract — verbal promises are worth $0

Deep dives on why each point matters: the 10 contract red flags that cost you money · the negotiation guide · every term defined

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