Graduate Nurse Program at Dartmouth Hitchcock

nightshift82 · Jan 18, 2009

My daughter was offered a job as a GN and you need to be aware there is a contract and read all of it very carefully. Good Luck in your search.

knewb · Jan 18, 2009

Thanks for your reply. Do you know of any particulars in the contract, or any incentives? It's hard to get much nformation from the website or the recruiters without interviewing. I will have a hard time financially travelling to so many out of state hospitals, so I'd like to be able to narrow my search as much as possible. Thanks again for any information!:wink2:

nightshift82 · Jan 18, 2009

The hospital is very nice and people seem happy but one ever knows the whole story until you are working there. It seems very safe to live there. It is a bit expensive for housing. This probably due to the fact it is near a college town and the starting salary is about $3.00 lower per hour than that of new grads here in CT(small town w/similar housing$).

I assume that once you are on your own and passed you evaluation that you would get a raise. On the unit where my daughter interviewed it is 12hr shifhts and everyone rotates. Not sure if that is for each unit or how the rotation works? The problem arose when she was told after accepting the job that she would have to sign a contract. She waited for the contract and guts of it are not fair to the employee. She is try to speak w/ HR again to negoiate a change in the wording.

Read the thread DMHC residency program, which is below this one. There is also a thread about New Grad/Residency programs under General Nursing started Jan 11. It was interesting to read from nurses who were in these programs and if they had contracts.

I think you have to be very specific w/any questions about any orientation program be it "New Grad" or a normal orientation. Most hospitals give New Grads more time and more attention but not set classes. We have had about 5 new grads in our CCU all have done well and if needed their orientation was extended. No one wants anyone to fail. Its not in anyones best interest.

Good Luck in your search.

NeoPediRN · Jan 27, 2009

Knewb, basically to take part in the New Grad Residency Program you have to sign a contract to stay two years after your residency is over, or pay an enormous penalty ~$15,000...it's not pro-rated for the time you spend there, so if you leave six months early you pay $15k....it makes me very suspicious that a hospital has to resort to contracting employees...if it's supportive teaching environemnt there should be little problem getting nurses to stay. NEVER EVER would I sign something like that because you won't know if the unit is a good fit until you begin working there. I'd rather tough it out here in Massachusetts and wait for a job than to be locked into a hospital system I don't even know will be right for me.

NeoPediRN · Jan 27, 2009

P.S., starting pay is $24.03/hour.

Anyausa · Jan 27, 2009

hey

what contract says about your sick days and what if lets say you get pregnant with some complications and can not finish the contract? What do they do, punish you too for that?

nightshift82 · Jan 29, 2009

Sarahbeth, thanks for the confirmation. I thought I was the only one who thought this was terrible. I don't care how bad the job market may get, this is not a contract for anyone. There is nothing to protect the new grad. My daughter tried to negotiate but the hospital was not willing. She even spoke the Nurse Manager that "hired" her and she also supported the contract. I would be suspcious of any manager who thought this was ok to sign. And like you, I wonder why the New Grads are leaving? It is all too bad for my daughter. She was so excited and it would have been a good fit for her. I guess a good learning lesson for all. She has certainly been spreading the word at school. Would be a good article for RN, Nursing Spectrum, etc. I hope all New Grads in "Residency programs" read their contract- if they have one before they sign it!!!! As for my daughter, she is disappointed but now looking at other hospitals

WiseOne · Feb 24, 2009

Being a wise old nurse for over 30 years and mentoring many new grads, I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for a committment. Unfortunately, some new grad nurses come to institutions with good residency programs with the intentions of staying a year, get a great start and then off they go. Let's not even talk about the institution...let's talk about the mentor...the nurse who isn't getting any additional pay...the one who will take the new grad under their wing....pass on valuable information and experience...run defense for the new grad only to find out there is no payback....no future resource....in a word frustrating. I am aware of many institutions that require a committment or a cash payback...they are usually the better institutions with great reputations. In this new era of nurse layoffs, older nurses needing to work longer because of failing retirement investments (I'm one) and fewer opportunities for new grads.....I think I'd be willing to "sign on" to get a good solid nursing foundation. Everyone knows there isn't any nursing school that prepares a new grad to actually work.....they all need the support of a strong medical center...knowledgable mentors and time...that's right time...experience....2-3 years of stability. Nursing is not a quick study...read it and do it.....it's a science an art if you will.

Anyausa · Feb 24, 2009

be careful, you will get in trouble here. When I said that hospitals have a right to do this kind of commitment with new nurses I got so punished here!

But still, I agree with you. For many it is just a place to hook up, to start, and then go.

Hospital that is serious about teaching new grad, and puts a lot of energy in it, it is a good hospital.

nightshift82 · Feb 24, 2009

I am also a preceptor and have been in the field for 28 yrs. I also think we need to PROTECTand educate the new nurses from any contract that states that if you are LAID OFF, FIRED, or if they choose to leave. I do have issues with the later because it is exhausting to orient and have the orientee finally indepenant only to find they will be leaving....however I would rather have them leave than make everyone miserable by staying....and some have needed to leave beacuse their spouse was relocating. This specific contract states that $15,000.00 will need to be paid back w/in 30 day of TERMINATION be it your choice or THEIRS..... there was NO NEOGOIATIONS. I'm not sure how anyone can rationalize this......my daughter was very happy and intented to stay rent and eventually buy in that area but neither me nor her father or any of her professors or my friend a lawyer would advise her to sign SUCH a CONTRACT. Oh and it was not pro-rated either.....believe me we tried to figure out a way and there was none.......too bad for my daughter, others who feel they are forced to sign this and DHMC!