Bait and switch

Sour Lemon · Sep 7, 2020

4 minutes ago, doberman said:

Hello all...first time poster here facing large problem. Just moved my wife and kids literally 3,000 miles to a western state to take a job advertised on a medium sized company's website. The job listed was for an OR circulator, large sign on bonus was included. Long story short, I took the job. Once I started the job I was told I was going to work as a pre op nurse, recovery room nurse, post op nurse, infusion nurse, procedure nurse, endoscopy nurse and circulator. None of this was discussed during the skype interview. I've been a circulator only for 20 years and absolutely do not want to do these other jobs. The job description signed by my new employer and myself says only 'intraop', nothing else. After being employed 1 month, I still have not circulated 1 case. My question is: what are my options? Just quit and move on? Pay back the sign on bonus? Which was completely used up for moving expenses. Do I have legal recourse? Help! TIA!

Most job descriptions have some "other duties as assigned" clause nestled into them. You might need a lawyer to look over what you signed if the terms are not clear to you.

You have my sympathy, by the way.

Chickenlady · Sep 8, 2020

Yeah, I think most places have the wiggle room to assign you where they please as long as you have training provided.

Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP · Sep 10, 2020

They probably put in the word "intraop" so they could put you anywhere.

"intra" = on the inside; within I guess these guys really did go all out and up and beyond when they meant "intra." They really pushed it to the limits, it seems like.

Sorry they pulled a fast one. Perhaps you can try to see if there's another job near where you now moved to. Will the bonus be a severe hardship for you to pay back? I guess if they let you out w/ just having to pay the bonus, it might even be worth it to take out a small loan from a bank to pay it back if you don't have cash on hand. Sometimes peace of mind is worth it.

Good luck to you and I hope it all works out for you and your family.

KalipsoRed21, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2020

That is soooooooooooo aggravating. Have you ever tried agency nursing? It’s a good way to make a quick amount of cash.

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2020

Start with communication to your manager that you want to circulate at least XX% of the time. Leave them some room to float you in an emergency. Like at least 5% of the time you can suck it up. Ask why this happened. Is it because of COVID? Is it expected to be temporary?

You need to communicate your unhappiness before you just up and leave. You moved your family out there, you've already invested a lot.

It's not really time to think about the sign on bonus. You may or may not have to pay it back and if you do, they may or may not expend the energy and resources to get it from you. A lawyer can tell you if and when you get to that step.

Just focus on communicating for now. If you don't get an acceptable response from the NM, ask to speak to HR. They are trained and qualified to make changes in order to retain employees.

They paid a sign on bonus because they need you. You wanting to do the job you were hired for is a reason for them to try to keep you. Give them a shot.