Contract, but No Contract

Nurses Professionalism

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Hi All,

I am seeking some professional advice. When hired for my current job it was for an internship with an 18 month "commitment/contract" and you are suppose to sign the contract stating you owe the hospital $7500 if you leave before your contract is up. The thing is, the group before and after my group both had to sign the contract,but my group did not. I have been at my current job for a year now, but I want to leave and try something different. Also, my husband is getting transferred across the country for his job. He will be at his new location next month. I am hoping to be out there by the end of this year.

Is it ok to leave early? What is the best way to approach this with management?

Advice??????????

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Sorry, but we cannot provide legal advice.

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I didn't think this counted as seeking legal advice, since there was no signed legal contact. I have seen many people post the same topic asking professional advice

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Specializes in Critical Care, Float Pool Nursing.
Sorry, but we cannot provide legal advice.

How is this a request for legal advice? It isn't.. at all. Career advice is not legal advice, and any layperson can provide it. Please read more carefully.

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Legally-can't help ya.

Professionally, I suggest you speak to management, be honest and professional and see what they say. Then proceed accordingly.

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And if you can leave with a good reference, as opposed to a not so good reference--what is a few months. 18 months would be in March--which is close to the start of the new year.

Use the time to look at opportunities in the area to which you will be moving. What is required to land a position. Then start working on those things between now and then. Even some certifications. Start doing some research and put some feelers out.

I hate to say it, but it may be a 2 year experience that would be needed to land a job that you would like to. But you will not know until you research.

Professionally speaking, I would stick it out as long as feasible. That way, it can set you up to find a good job in your new location.

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I have been looking and some positions require a year with a BSN which I have, but prefer 2-3 yrs. The thing is I will be relocating to southern California with my husband. The job market is rough out there. So my thoughts were to just start to apply now for everything. I think it we be wiser to apply now instead of later and then get ready to transfer without a job. I'm trying to decide how early to tell my employer I'm leaving, not to mention that I didn't sign a contract which he thinks I did.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

I agree with jade.

Go talk with your manager and explain the situation. She deserves that respect.

Your goal for now should be to not create any hard feelings, to resign in good standing and obtain references from two people in supervisory positions.

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Oh I definitely don't want to create any hard feelings. I get along with my coworkers and management. I think in nervous about the whole approach and talking to management. I think I also feel bad because the turnover is so high. 6 people have left since I've been there. Ultimately I have to do what is best for myself and my career

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

I read somewhere on here that the unemployment rate for nurses in California is at 40%.

You are going to need strong references to even be considered out there. The manager will appreciate your honesty and the fact that you are giving her six months advance notice. Be sure to mention how much you appreciated the opportunity, what a good first job it is, and that you hate to leave so soon.

You should consider the other option which is to stay for two years, build your resume and take travel contracts in order to get a feel for what the hospitals are like in that area. Sign on with Valley Medical Staffing and Cross Country. Avoid the Kaiser facilities.

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I appreciate everyone's advice. We just got married in June and I don't think I am willing to stay here another year. I say this for many reasons: my husband is military and I don't know when he'll be deployed or just out to sea; also, I work in the OR and I know I don't want to stay in the OR, even though I like the OR. I also know it is hard to get out of OR and move onto something else. I guess that's why I want to look and apply early.

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why avoid kaiser?

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