Am I getting jipped???

renerian, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2003

Gosh I would think they would have told you that first?? I have never taken those classes so I will wait and see if others have had to do the same thing.

renerian

gwenith, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2003

Sound like a case of either false advertising or entraopment - either way they would not have a leg to stand on in court - my advice put off handing it back to her until the very last minute and keep looking for more advice.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2003

Thats all bogus, a hospital cant do that.

They can bluff ya

called intimidation

NicuNsg · Oct 3, 2003

If you are talking about the Critical Care Reg. Nurse (CCRN) certification. They certainly can do that, BUT they should have told you that up front. The CCRN course is expensive and some hospitals require that you certify, especially if they are a magnet hospital or trying to obtain status. Here in Florida it has been my experience, it is a 1 yr commitment. You can take the course but wont receive your certification until you have clocked 1000 hours (or something like that). You also get a raise after you become a CCRN.

Going back to what I said, they should have told you this up front at your interview. Advice to anyone reading this, ask if certification is giving on the floor you are applying to and get all the details. I would speak to someone at your hospital who has been there and see what they say. I would speak to the Nurse Mgr that hired you and ask them to clarify. I hope it all goes in your favor, keep us posted. Keep your head up.

rncopper · Oct 3, 2003

Unfortunately, MANY hospitals are requiring new grads to sign just such a paper when, as part of their orientation, they put them thru extensive classes, such as a telemetry, or critical care core class. They feel that if they do extensive training with the new grad, and then they "bolt" after 6-9-12 months, they have not "recouped" their investment.

I can bet the class you are taking IS NOT the CCRN. It would not behoove the hospital to teach it to you, as a new grad.

All this aside, look into your orientation packet/hire packet that you were given the first couple of days on the job. Also check with your floor's either employee manual or job description. I know that at almost all the hospitals I have worked at, there is something in there that mentions what classes are required to work on a certain floor, etc.

I would also call HR. Find out why this "servitude" (sorry, my words) was not brought to your attention before this.

I am sorry that hospitals are doing this. As I have said, I have seen it very frequently done to either new grads or seasoned nurses who switch to a different specialty.

Good luck to you.

Noney · Oct 3, 2003

Good luck. Don't sign anything until you've explored all your options.

Noney

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2003

I am working in an ICU in Philly, starting as a new grad, and I was told before I was hired that a condition of sending me to the critical care course was an 18 month committment. They should have been up front with you and told you at your interview. However, it costs the hospital a lot of money to train a new grad for critical care areas, so they want to make sure you stay there a little while to make it worth their investment in you!

nicoleinphilly · Oct 3, 2003

Thanks guys so much for your advice:) No its not a CCRN certification, i know that for sure. Its just a "certification" for the hospital. I understand they dont want people taking off after putting me through a class, but to put me in this position just steams me bad. Letting me know about this 2 weeks into the class is unacceptable..what if i was planning on moving in 12 months and then i had to go sign this ya know? Ive talked to other graduate nurses at other hospitals within the same health system and they said they did not have to sign any such paper. One even told me that her hospital used to have it (the hospital is in my health system) and that they stopped making people sign it because it was illegal. She said its illegal because its a required course to work on that floor. I dunno..like i said, im a new nurse, in new to this, thats why i really needed advice before i went forth and said something. Thanks guys

Teshiee · Oct 3, 2003

For the simple fact you were not informed would void the contract. It is like you were mislead without a stray.......I would seek some legal advice.

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Oct 4, 2003

Nicole;

I think you were mislead and that a full disclosure of requirements for work on this floor was not disclosed to you. Now having said that, if you refuse to sign this contract, they may fire you. If you are an "at will" employee they can terminate you for almost any reason. I can understand your anger and feeling of entrapment, please see advice from an attorney, one who knows something about employment law. It may cost you $75.00 but he/she should be able to tell you exactly where you stand and what if any recourse you may have against this type of treatment. Good Luck and let us know what happens.

Katnip, RN · Oct 4, 2003

Our hospital requires that Critical Care Course also. But we are not required to put in time for it. If they wanted you to do that, then they'd have had to made it clear up front that it was required that you stay for the 15 months.

I did sign a contract early on that they would repay my tuition in return for time.