Need to move but have a versant contract

Editorial Team / Admin · Dec 3, 2015

Yes, they can make you pay it. That's how a contract works and why anyone who signs one should read and understand every word of it. The fact that they are offering a payment plan is actually pretty generous- in many facilities, it is expected as a lump sum once employment ends.

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 4, 2015

Yes, it sounds like you signed a legally binding agreement. Did they not make the terms clear to you before you signed it? You could consult an attorney if you feel that you were lied to or tricked in some way -- or if you feel that the contract was not legal for some other reason. But I doubt you have much choice. It is probably a legal agreement that you signed willingly -- and you are most likely going to be held accountable to fulfill the obligation that you made in exchange for receiving the education.

At least they are willing to negotiate a payment plan.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 4, 2015

I got hired on as a versant resident in February, but now my husband is transferring out of state and we need to move. My contact says that if I voluntarily terminate before 2 years, I have to pay back $5,000 of training costs. HR wants me to pay it in full or make a payment plan. Does anyone know if there is any provision for this kind of situation? Can they make me pay this out if my only option is to live away from my husband for a year or pay out this contract? Thanks.

Yes, they can make you pay it. Did you not know what you were signing when you signed a contract?

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Dec 4, 2015

Yes, they can make you pay it. Did you not know what you were signing when you signed a contract?

It sounds like she did. What she did not know at that time was a job transfer of her husband's.

OP, when you resign, let them know that it is due to a job transfer of your husband's that you had no way of knowing about when you signed the contract. Sometimes a move may help you in this kind of situation. It is worth a try anyway.

LCordelia · Dec 4, 2015

It sounds like she did. What she did not know at that time was a job transfer of her husband's.
OP, when you resign, let them know that it is due to a job transfer of your husband's that you had no way of knowing about when you signed the contract. Sometimes a move may help you in this kind of situation. It is worth a try anyway.

Thank you. That's exactly my problem. Yes, I know what I signed, and it is not my intention to get out of a contract. I like my job very much and would gladly stay for the full two years and more if my husband was not transferring. I was just wondering if this can be considered a "voluntary" termination of my contracy when I don't have much choice about moving. HR told me that unless they fired me it's considered voluntary, but other people on my unit have said that it shouldn't be considered voluntary. Anyway, I'm going to run this by an attorney and see what they tell me. Thank you.

suitcase calling · Dec 7, 2015

Perhaps some of the costs of reimbursing the hospital for the Versant contract could be considered a moving expense for IRS purposes. Or if you get a job in new location, maybe new employer will reimburse some of Versant contract.

not2bblue · Dec 8, 2015

It would definitely be voluntary if you leave the job, even if it is due to your husband being transferred. After all, HE is being transferred, not you, so you are leaving for personal reasons and I can't see them letting you out of the contract when everyone else leaving for personal reasons are bound to it. I mean, really anyone can have a live changing event, but they might as well not have a contract at all if they let everyone out for every reason. Sorry that it is such a high amount, I can sympathize with it, but there is no law that husband and wife can't live apart for a year:cry:. Maybe have a studio for you (or him) and visit? You don't mention children or the distance he has to move, children change things a lot. Distance may be a factor, may not. You have to ask if a year being away is worth more or less than $5k?

caliotter3 · Dec 9, 2015

If it were me I would strongly consider scaled down living arrangements, (renting a room), and budgeting for nightly phone calls and perhaps trips home on long weekends or whenever possible. I would want to finish out the program. Many people have found ways to survive family separations. You will be surprised how fast that time flies.

LCordelia · Dec 9, 2015

We have a 9 year old and I am not willing to separate my family again, having done so in the military already. $5K is definitely worth keeping my family together, even if we have to do some budgeting to make it happen.

I'm likely just going to pay out the contract anyway, since the legal route will likely cost just as much as buying out my contract. In the future I will not be signing any long term contacts. Lesson learned.

benwade · Dec 13, 2015

MOst contracts of that type have "emergency" clauses. Take the full signed contract to a lawyer.

Career Columnist / Author · Dec 18, 2015

Agree with all the others, it's a legal contract. But you can always try asking for a waiver due to your circumstances. You will never know unless you ask. I would ask in writing. You may get a NO, but you may get more lenient terms, a partial write-off, or total waiver.

I've always thought that any hospital that pursues a debt collection from a new grad is not making a good choice. I can see the headlines in my mind "Hospital takes Nurse to Collections" and have to laugh. Really? Not great PR.

I also am not convinced contracts really "work" for that very reason, and am not a fan. Life happens. It's also ironic in light of the fact that hospitals can call full time nurses off any time, any day (low census). I can't think of any other profession where that happens as a matter of routine.

That was more than you asked for, hope I wasn't too off topic for you :). Good luck in your move.