On average, travel assignments last 13 weeks, and with some assignments, that doesn’t seem like enough time. After all, there is a lot of work that goes into finding the perfect traveler assignment, you want to be able to enjoy it! Luckily, healthcare travelers can extend their assignment if the facility’s needs are still there.
Whether you’re considering staying at your assignment longer because you’ve learned to love your coworkers, you want to explore your new location more, or maybe you’re weighing the benefits against the potential challenges of finding a new assignment, there are a lot of nuances of assignment extensions to understand.
To provide a comprehensive view on this topic, we turn to Sarah, our seasoned Director of Nursing and Allied Health Client Management. With years of experience supporting travel nurses and healthcare facilities alike, Sarah offers valuable insights into why and when travelers should navigate the decision to extend their contracts and some of the key benefits they can gain.
When should you extend your travel assignment?
Sarah suggests that mid-way through your contract is an ideal time to start thinking about an extension. “You’ll want to reach out to your manager first to start the discussion,” she advises. Your manager should be able to tell you if the facility will still have a need, and they can start the extension approval process as an advocate for you to continue working there.
“Replacing a traveler involves time, effort, retraining, and expenses,” Sarah explains. “If a traveler fits in well and there’s an ongoing need, extending can be mutually beneficial.” Plus as a traveler, there is no cut and dry rules as for how long you need to extend. Sarah has seen extensions as short as two weeks to as long as 26 weeks, although the average extension time is another 13-week assignment.
Think about any time off you would need during the extension and how long you would ideally like to extend. Once you’ve figured out those details and talked with your manager, the next step would be reaching out to your recruiter.
Why should you extend your travel assignment?
Some of the most important factors to consider when looking at extending your travel assignment are learning opportunities, flexibility, and pay rates. “You really have to ask yourself, are my needs being met?” Sarah counsels. If you feel as if you’re still getting to learn something new, you like the people, and are enjoying the area you are in, choosing to extend could be the most advantageous decision.
You can always ask your recruiter to find other opportunities and compare them. If you moved to a different area, how would the pay rate change? Are you still getting to work the hours you want? The grass isn’t always greener on the other side and you might find that your best bet is to stay put at the contract you’re already at.
Benefits to extending your travel assignment
Extending your assignment offers several benefits, one of which is that the pain points of getting an assignment don’t have to be repeated. “You’re already settled in an area you enjoy,” Sarah points out. “You’ve completed compliance requirements, and there’s no need to go through the hassle of relocating or trying to find housing in a different area.” Plus, sometimes the first 13 weeks of an assignment can just be spent adjusting to your new life and new facility. By extending, you can actually begin to enjoy your new living location and feel like a local.
Extending not only provides continuity and stability but also fosters deeper connections within your healthcare facility and community. Over time, you become an integral part of the facility, gaining trust and familiarity with colleagues and patients alike. This not only allows you to have more flexibility but also allows you to make a more significant impact on patient care.
Cons to extending your travel assignment
Despite the advantages, Sarah notes that there can be potential downsides. “You might face housing challenges where your rental prices increase, especially in tourist-heavy areas where prices can skyrocket,” she warns. “There’s also the risk of missing out on opportunities elsewhere if your extension pay rate doesn’t align with your expectations.” It’s important to remember that choosing to extend is a personal choice, and you are under no obligation to do so. When weighing the pros and cons, see which side comes out more favorably, and proceed from there.
Travel with Ventura MedStaff
Ultimately, whether you choose to extend your assignment or seek new opportunities, Sarah encourages travelers to stay proactive. “Stay engaged with your recruiter, assess your happiness, and evaluate alignment with your career goals,” she concludes. “This approach empowers you to make informed decisions that positively impact your professional journey.”
If you’re looking for a partner who can help you on this travel healthcare journey, contact us. We’d be happy to help you find your next adventure.
