Well, here you are, dear traveler—at the end of your travel contract. So, what will you do next? If you LOVE your travel contract with a capital L O V E, then perhaps you should extend your assignment. If you’re like “Eh, maybe not,” then it could be time to start searching for that next travel job. The truth of the matter is that the world is your oyster, and you get to decide where you go next.

So, Your Travel Contract is Ending. Now What?

Here’s the thing—it can be tough to know what to do next, especially when you have options. And options you have, my friend. What do you say? Are you ready to embark on your next travel adventure? Do you wish to pass go, collect money, and continue at your current travel job? Or is it time for a break from the stressors of daily living? Whatever you decide to do, we’re here for it (and you).

Should you extend your current travel contract?

Picture this: You’re more than halfway through your travel nursing contract or allied health travel contract and you’re sad about leaving soon. I mean, you understand the health care technology, you’ve made some dang cool friends, and you really enjoy the location you’re living in. Sound familiar? Then, maybe you should consider extending your current travel contract.

When you extend your travel assignment, you’ll agree to a second travel contract with the same hospital or medical facility. In this new contract, the length of time will be updated and will depend on your availability, your schedule, and the facility’s staffing needs. Spoiler alert: Oftentimes, travel contracts are extended for another 13 weeks, but can be anywhere between a couple of weeks all the way up to 39 weeks. At the end of the day, you get to decide what’s best for you and your travel career.

Before you rush in and opt to extend your travel contract until infinity and beyond, there’s something you should know—there’s a time limit on how long you can extend your contract. According to the Internal Revenue Services (IRS), only those who work a “temporary work assignment,” like a travel nursing job or allied health travel job, or other professional work assignment away from the home that lasts less than a year, are eligible for the tax benefits. You know, like the tax-free stipends that travelers receive for housing, transportation, meals, mileage, and more. That means that if you work at the same assignment for more than a year, you lose those tax benefits.

“I can’t think of any cons to extending,” said Monica, one of Fusion’s Nursing Client Managers. “The only thing is many professionals travel because they like to see new places. Extending a contract will keep you in the same location longer but offers other benefits. Travelers choose to extend for a multitude of reasons. If they love the area, the facility they are contracted with, and the new friends they’ve made in the unit they’re working, they will usually stay for at least one extension.”

So, should you extend your current travel contract? Only you have the answer. But we have the inside scoop on some of the perks. Drum roll, please.

🦄 You’re already credentialed and familiar with the hospital or medical facility, as well as their technology, patient loads, procedures and processes, and then some

🦄 You don’t have to apply for new state licenses

🦄 Onboarding and orientation is on the “To done” list

🦄 Housing is already taken care of, and as a bonus, you’re already unpacked and settled in

🦄 You get to stay with your new BFFs

🦄 You have more time to noodle on where to go next

Your contract may not have to come to end…yet. If you’re interested in extending your travel contract, then buckle in and get ready to have “the talk” with your recruiter—you know, the one where you break it to them that you don’t want to travel quite yet. Once they know you want to extend your contract, they’ll get the ball rolling with the medical facility to see if an extension is in your future.

“Many times, facilities bring in travelers to cover a medical leave or a vacancy until a perm staff is hired,” Monica said. “Other times, they’re short-staffed and will continue to extend the traveler as long as they’d like.”

The best part? After you ask for an extension, the worst thing they can say is “No, thank you.” And if that’s the case, then it’s time to start looking for your next travel job or to start looking at possible vacation getaway spots.

When should you start looking for a travel assignment?

You know what they say—all good things must come to an end. And when that’s true for your travel job, it’s up to you to decide what you’re going to do next. If it’s your time to shine as a badass medical professional in a new health care facility, then it may be time to get your ducks in a row and start looking for your next job.

Luckily, you don’t have to do all the heavy lifting yourself. Your trustworthy recruiter is by your side and ready to help! If about four to six weeks after starting your current travel contract you realize, “Hm, this may not be the best place for me,” then it’s time to bring in your cavalry, aka your recruiter and travel support team. And at Fusion Medical Staffing, your recruiter and travel team do most, if not all, of the heavy lifting, so that all you have to do is accept or not accept when an offer comes your way. Like we said, we’re here for you.

Is it time to take a break and treat yo’self?

It’s not a secret that you’re no stranger to hard work. But when was the last time you played hard? If you can’t remember or the answer is so long ago that dinosaurs might as well have been roaming the earth, it may be time for you to take a break or vacation and treat yo’self to some time off.

There’s no shame in taking a break. In fact, some might even say it’s brave to put yourself, your mental health, and your overall wellbeing first. And sometimes, the best place to do that is in the mountains or beachside, depending on your vibe. What we’re trying to say is you deserve some you time, and as a Fusion traveler, you’re entitled to it.

When you travel professionally with Fusion Medical Staffing, you get 40 hours of paid time-off (PTO) for every 1,560 hours worked. That way, you don’t have to stress about losing money on vacation and instead, can kick your feet up and enjoy the well-deserved break.

Here’s a pro tip before you pack your bags for a month-long island vacation: Ask your recruiter about the staffing company’s policy and time off parameters. If you receive benefits from your travel staffing agency, like health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, and more, you could risk losing your benefits if you’re off work for too long. And in case you didn’t know, Fusion travelers get 26 stress-free days of glorious relaxation before getting back to business.

Let us be the first to tell you that you deserve a break! You work a demanding and important job where you take care of everyone else, don’t forget you need time to care of yourself, too. Let your recruiter help you take the vacation of a lifetime—just let them know you’re in need of a break, tell them how long you’ll be out of office (so to speak), and treat yo’self to a vacay. While you’re gone, your travel recruiter will work their magic to find you a travel job when you’re ready to return to the real world.

So, your contract is ending. The metaphorical ball is in your court and your Fusion family is here to support you in whatever adventure you decide to pursue next, whether that’s extending a travel contract, moving on up and out to a new travel job, or treating yourself to some time away. What will you do next, dear traveler?