RN PocketPalRN PocketPal

CNAs & travel

Travel contract red flags

What to check before you sign

Updated November 5, 2026 · Facts checked against the sources listed below

Travel contract red flags. What to check before you sign
Pay you can't break down. No clear split of taxable pay and stipends: Ask for the full breakdown. A blended rate with no details: Know what each part is. Overtime rate left vague: Get the number in writing

RED FLAG 1

1. Pay you can't break down

  • No clear split of taxable pay and stipendsAsk for the full breakdown
  • A blended rate with no detailsKnow what each part is
  • Overtime rate left vagueGet the number in writing
Easy cancellation for them, not you. The facility can cancel with little notice: What happens to your pay?. Penalties if you leave early: Know the cost before you sign. No help if housing falls through: Ask who covers it

RED FLAG 2

2. Easy cancellation for them, not you

  • The facility can cancel with little noticeWhat happens to your pay?
  • Penalties if you leave earlyKnow the cost before you sign
  • No help if housing falls throughAsk who covers it
Floating with no limits. Can they float you anywhere?: Ask which units, in writing. Floating outside your specialty: Is it allowed in the contract?. No orientation to new units: That's a safety problem

RED FLAG 3

3. Floating with no limits

  • Can they float you anywhere?Ask which units, in writing
  • Floating outside your specialtyIs it allowed in the contract?
  • No orientation to new unitsThat's a safety problem
No guaranteed hours. Shifts can be canceled for low census: How many, before pay drops?. Guaranteed hours missing from the contract: A promise on the phone isn't enough. Unclear call or on-call rules: Ask exactly what's expected

RED FLAG 4

4. No guaranteed hours

  • Shifts can be canceled for low censusHow many, before pay drops?
  • Guaranteed hours missing from the contractA promise on the phone isn't enough
  • Unclear call or on-call rulesAsk exactly what's expected
Your checklist. Get every promise in the written contract. Ask for the pay breakdown line by line. Ask about cancellation, floating and hours. Not legal advice: have someone you trust review it

BEFORE YOU SIGN

5. Your checklist

  • Get every promise in the written contract
  • Ask for the pay breakdown line by line
  • Ask about cancellation, floating and hours
  • Not legal advice: have someone you trust review it

RN PocketPal: AI-led education for nurses

Study tools, NCLEX practice and shift helpers for nursing students, new grads and CNAs. Free on iOS & Android.

Download on theApp StoreGet it onGoogle Play

More guides

Where can a US nurse work abroad?

The fastest way to start travel nursing

CNA to RN: every route compared