Hi all! So I recently accepted an offer for a new grad program and So far I have been thrown in the fire to take patients on my own due to short staffing. Overall I feel that I am not where I am suppose to be in regards to training. Given access to medication and charting so late in my training truly placed me behind and was not able to take advantage of those days I was on the floor.
My contract or agreement states that I must remain with my unit for 12 months and another 12 months with the company. So my questions:
1. Can they report me to the nursing board if I do break my contract?
2. Will they take me to court if I do not repay them in full at once?
Also, one month in with this program, does that still make me a new grad? And can I still apply as a new grad?
In general, most new grad jobs that are posted will dictate what they consider a new grad. From my experience, they usually say less than a year of experience on the floor. If you meet the criteria laid out of the job you apply for next, you'll be considered a new grad.
I was in a new grad program at an acute care hospital and we were asked to sign a contract stating that we would stay at the facility for two years. But, when we signed it, we were also told this was more of an "honor system" contract, and not something they would legally pursue. I think two years is pretty reasonable, given that we had 12 weeks of instruction (classroom, preceptors, floating to all different areas of the hospital, etc). They put a lot of work into getting us prepared. I felt it was important to fulfill the contract just on principle. However, we live in a rural area with a lot of turnover and many of the employees that were hired with me left prior to the two year contract expiration, using this hospital as a way to get their foot in the door. If the hospital hadn't fulfilled what I signed up for, I might have felt differently about leaving.
In general, most new grad jobs that are posted will dictate what they consider a new grad. From my experience, they usually say less than a year of experience on the floor. If you meet the criteria laid out of the job you apply for next, you'll be considered a new grad.
I was in a new grad program at an acute care hospital and we were asked to sign a contract stating that we would stay at the facility for two years. But, when we signed it, we were also told this was more of an "honor system" contract, and not something they would legally pursue. I think two years is pretty reasonable, given that we had 12 weeks of instruction (classroom, preceptors, floating to all different areas of the hospital, etc). They put a lot of work into getting us prepared. I felt it was important to fulfill the contract just on principle. However, we live in a rural area with a lot of turnover and many of the employees that were hired with me left prior to the two year contract expiration, using this hospital as a way to get their foot in the door. If the hospital hadn't fulfilled what I signed up for, I might have felt differently about leaving.
So did you leave before you fulfilled the agreement? You know now that i come think about it the agreement i signed is similar to yours "honor system" or more so a "promissory note". Its so hard because I was interviewed for the hospital that I've been wanting to work for and I really am not they type to just jump and go. However, life happens and i have to do what is best for my family and I. But see I don't even know if I will get the job. I mean if it's meant to be then it's meant to be.
As for the new grad qualifications, I do not how strict they are and if they will find out that I am working with this other hospital. I just have to pray hard and hope for the best.
You really need to talk to a couple of Employment Law attorneys, OP. We are not lawyers here.
Stop commiserating with coworkers about your plans, hopes, and perceived employer wrongs toward you. Discussion and gossip can only come back to bite you.
Look before you leap.
I don't see how you would still be considered a new grad. You're quite new, true, but you do now have this work experience. Have you tried talking to the Manager about your Orientation or lack of it?
Play this one right, OP. No need and not good to mess up your work history right at the start of your career. Good luck.
Hoping and praying are fine, but use the good brain that God gave you and do what is really right for you and your family.
And sometimes just an open talk with your boss and with HR can result in them agreeing to let you go without any hassle. Have good communication. And for Heaven's sake, don't quit before you actually are hired by the dream job.
You really need to talk to a couple of Employment Law attorneys, OP. We are not lawyers here.
Stop commiserating with coworkers about your plans, hopes, and perceived employer wrongs toward you. Discussion and gossip can only come back to bite you.
Look before you leap.
I don't see how you would still be considered a new grad. You're quite new, true, but you do now have this work experience. Have you tried talking to the Manager about your Orientation or lack of it?
Play this one right, OP. No need and not good to mess up your work history right at the start of your career. Good luck.
Hoping and praying are fine, but use the good brain that God gave you and do what is really right for you and your family.
And sometimes just an open talk with your boss and with HR can result in them agreeing to let you go without any hassle. Have good communication. And for Heaven's sake, don't quit before you actually are hired by the dream job.
Easy question first, yes, you're still a new grad.
Now, I agree to review your contract carefully and see what was said. And have a lawyer look it over. Now for the part on how to maybe fix this situation. Write your nurse manager an email stating how you feel. (Copy to HR) Make sure you say things such as, in order to provide the safest possible care, and the amount of orientation that was agreed upon hire.... That way if you do leave, you can claim that it wasn't a safe environment and your concerns were not addressed, and for the safety of your patients (and your own nursing license) you needed to leave. Any facility would think twice about taking someone to court if they're going to claim blatant safety issues. You can also state that as agreed you will not be taking anymore patients unless there is a nurse to oversee you (So combined pt load should be appropriate), and the max amount of patients you are willing to take is #x and you can evaluate progress on a weekly basis as YOU become more comfortable.
Dont forget, this is your orientation. Don't be afraid and stand up for yourself. The worst that's going to happen is you leave the facility. There's such a thing as relief nursing and your facility should be using it instead of throwing you into the fire.
I'm currently in the same situation. I am breaking a contract as a new grad and have locked in a travel position. My choice to leave has been a result of another nurse's repeated bullying of me and managements' failed attempts to stop her. Other issues such as PTO taking 2 months to get paid and safety concerns. With email documentation of each incidence, I plan on using it to back up my reasons for breaking contract when or if they pursue me.
Definitely have an attorney look it over for you before deciding. I am in a similar situation and I may be seeking legal counsel as well. Long story short, I signed a 2-year commitment to my unit with a penalty of 5k if I break the contract. In addition, I will never be able to work for this health system ever again; I will be permanently banned from future employment with them. Had I known this before signing (the contract doesn't say this at all - I found out verbally from someone else), I wouldn't have accepted the position at all. Now I'm stuck for 2 years and I hate it.
Please, other nurses perusing this thread, do NOT sign a commitment contract! There is no guarantee you'll be where you want to be in 2 years, and then you are screwed.
I have a 3 year contract with a hospital due to the fact I'm in a specialty. My total training cost $7,500. It's not a teaching hospital. If the contract is broken I would have to pay back the amount in a prorated rate by the amount of time I worked for the facility. I don't see my self staying there for that period of time due to the desire to branch out and due another speciality also the work hours, lack of staffing and lack of safety when they are short staffed. I plan on doing it in the most professional manner possible. As new graduates we get stuck in these contracts when the bills are stacking and urge to get our foot in the door.
RRRRS808
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