Breaking Internship Contract?

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

I signed a 2 year contract for a labor and delivery internship in September 2015 with EVERY intention on staying there. During the interview I was warned about a certain OB that delivered at that facility. I decided to sign the contract thinking this was an amazing opportunity to start my dream job in L&D. I have since completed the internship and have been on the floor for a few weeks now.

The OB they warned me about is an absolute nightmare. I am actually completely shocked this woman is still allowed to practice. I have learned that she has lost her privileges at almost every other hospital in the area. I have had my own encounters with her while caring for her patients, and the things she does and/or tries to get away with is just unbelievable. There is a even Facebook page of a group of her previous patient's that are "against" her practice. Here's the good part... The page was started by the grandmother of a patient whose delivery I observed at the beginning of the internship.

Evidently, in the OB world she is notorious. My own personal OB and another hospital that I recently interviewed at even shuttered when I mentioned her name.

The "internship" itself was an unorganized disaster as well. I really feel that I did not get what needed out of the program. I was actually thrown on to the floor a few weeks early due to the fact that they had hired even more interns without enough preceptors. I have also learned that the new hires did NOT have to sign a contract.

Now, here's my questions...

Has anyone every broken a contract after the internship or other factors were less that acceptable? Have they made you pay? Has anyone found that these kind of exception could void a contract?

I am seriously afraid for her patients' safety, as well as my license.

I interviewed at another facility with high hopes for a better start. I am torn about how I should handle the situation. Any suggestions or ideas are greatly appreciated.

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Did the orientation end sooner than what is specifically stated on the contract? If so, they have broken it in their end.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

There was no specific internship length noted in the contract.

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Specializes in Hospice.

You are asking about contract law and should be talking to an attorney. We can't give legal advice here.

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Ultimately, you may have to seek an attorney for assistance.

However, you haven't asked for legal advice here, and none has been given. And, before a moderator shuts this thread down, they should consider that providing information is not the same as giving "legal advice".

I'll answer you questions directly. Yes, I did leave an employer before the "contract" was completed. They did send me a letter requesting me to pay them. In response I pointed out the ways they did not fulfill their end of the bargain. I also expressed doubt that one recruiter of one hospital that was a small part of a large corporation was someone authorized to enter that corporation into a contract.

I never heard back from them. It's my belief that many of these contracts new grads sign are scare tactics and are not enforceable.

In your case, the fact that a specific length of time for your internship was not stated is in your favor. Contracts should have specific terms.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
You are asking about contract law and should be talking to an attorney. We can't give legal advice here.

This. Consult with an attorney (preferably one versed in employment law and/or contracts), have them review it and see what they think.

Keep in mind that even though you may feel you have good reason to break the contract, you may not have enough legal grounds to do so, and so may be held liable for repaying stipends, etc. This is why it's very important to get a lawyer's advice before you do anything drastic.

Best of luck.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
Ultimately, you may have to seek an attorney for assistance.

However, you haven't asked for legal advice here, and none has been given. And, before a moderator shuts this thread down, they should consider that providing information is not the same as giving "legal advice".

I'll answer you questions directly. Yes, I did leave an employer before the "contract" was completed. They did send me a letter requesting me to pay them. In response I pointed out the ways they did not fulfill their end of the bargain. I also expressed doubt that one recruiter of one hospital that was a small part of a large corporation was someone authorized to enter that corporation into a contract.

I never heard back from them. It's my belief that many of these contracts new grads sign are scare tactics and are not enforceable.

In your case, the fact that a specific length of time for your internship was not stated is in your favor. Contracts should have specific terms.

Thank you so much! This was the information I was asking about. I didn't ask for legal advice. I was asking for people to share their experiences. I plan on consulting with a lawyer, but I haven't had an opportunity yet. I was really wondering if it was even worth it to try to fight back. I have many other great examples of how they did not not fulfill their obligations and some evidence to prove it. Thanks again!

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
This. Consult with an attorney (preferably one versed in employment law and/or contracts), have them review it and see what they think.

Keep in mind that even though you may feel you have good reason to break the contract, you may not have enough legal grounds to do so, and so may be held liable for repaying stipends, etc. This is why it's very important to get a lawyer's advice before you do anything drastic.

Best of luck.

I was definitely going to do that! I have been trying to contact my supervisor first and discuss an event that happened last Tuesday with this physician. She tried to bullying me into restarting pitocin (at a ridiculous dose) on a patient that was having prolonged decelerations. The physician was telling me that if I didn't restart it she would have to proceed with a c-section and it would be my fault. This was after an induction (that NEVER should have been started in the first place) was started when this physician AROM'd the patient at 1cm and BEFORE the labs even came back. I wanted to inform my supervisor of how uncomfortable I felt to work with someone that has such a blatant disregard for patient safety, but she has not returned my phone call or texts for 2 days now.

Thank you!!

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Specializes in Critical care.

I think your last post with the specific scenario is probably too detailed given your current situation. I would edit it or request an admin/mmoderator to do it for you if you can no longer do it yourself. Best of luck!

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Almost all of the broken critical contracts I have seen have resulted in the the nurse paying up.

Fight it further? Lawyer up.

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Specializes in Aesthetics, Med/Surg, Outpatient.

I broke mine; owed nothing and eligible for re-hire

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