Breaking New Grad Contract

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

Hey everyone,

about a year ago I accepted a graduate nurse position at a hospital in florida. I was required to sign a contract that stipulates I work for 2 years or pay back $13,500. I have already worked for a year. The dilemma that I face is that my fiancé had to relocate to another state for his job. I have had a really difficult time the past 6 months that he has been gone. I feel constantly alone and isolated, especially because I work night shift and everyone is asleep when I'm wide awake. I just put my notice in to quit, so I can move there and be with him. My question is, has anyone else ever broken a graduate nurse contract? Did you end up having to pay back money? Do you regret your decision? Did it have a terrible impact on your career going forward?

If anyone else has advice who hasn't been in this situation I would appreciate that as well.

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

It's most likely going to be prorated, so you will only have to pay back half.

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15 hours ago, Duranie said:

Letting them know that you’re moving to be with your fiancé (especially since you can prove his out-of-state job started after your contract began) might make a difference in whether they’ll hold you to the penalty.

A fiancé is just a boyfriend.

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12 minutes ago, Sour Lemon said:

A fiancé is just a boyfriend.

Whom you've promised to marry. The level of commitment between boyfriend and fiance is very different. Do you think it matters one way or the other? If he was already my husband would leaving be more justified?

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1 hour ago, Nursejanxoxox said:

Whom you've promised to marry. The level of commitment between boyfriend and fiance is very different. Do you think it matters one way or the other? If he was already my husband would leaving be more justified?

I think it does matter, yes. Allowances are sometimes made for spouses that are not made for boyfriends. Some people have multiple kids with their "fiance" before eventually breaking up without ever getting married. It's almost become synonymous with "baby daddy".
But even with a husband, the move typically has to be involuntary ...like related to military service, for example.

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Explain the situation to HR and see if they can waive or reduce the fine. The worst answer is "no".

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9 hours ago, Nursejanxoxox said:

I disagree. I am a very kind and empathetic nurse. My patients all love me. I’m independent and autonomous at work and I’m also a team player when I need to be. My fiancé is on the other side of the country. Just because I miss him doesn’t mean I’m spineless and codependent. It just makes me human.

You are human. Take care of you. You don't want to end up bitter and hating nursing. My director told me I may have to divorce my husband.

but I am glad I never considered it because he is a great man. If he wasnt it would be different. Your man must be great since you are willing to follow him. Why lose a happy home if you don't have to.

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I broke mine in California. Nothing ever came of it. There is precedence from LAPD that these contracts are not legally binding. That said, Florida pays nothing compared to many states. Umm grab your fiance and move to Sacramento. You will make like 10 times more and even if enforceable, the payback is like a few days pay once eatablished at a Sac hospital or similar pay system.

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Yes I broke my new grad contract. I think I just got lucky, and they were very disorganized. Check this out: I graduated from a nursing college attached to a hospital system. They waive my last semester of tuition if I worked for them for 2 years. I worked there 8 months and then quit. They have never tried to collect, and Im not going to remind them.

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Sweet! I hate nursing for the reason that it constantly operates under threat. You are threatened through school, threatened as a new grad, threatened on the job constantly. Most other degrees and corporate jobs Do Not operate that way.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
On 4/3/2019 at 12:32 PM, Nursejanxoxox said:

I disagree. I am a very kind and empathetic nurse. My patients all love me. I’m independent and autonomous at work and I’m also a team player when I need to be. My fiancé is on the other side of the country. Just because I miss him doesn’t mean I’m spineless and codependent. It just makes me human.

If it was just a matter of another six months, I'd say try to tough it out this last bit. But you've been there a year and apparently miserable for at least the last six months. Another year - no.

There's a reason hospitals have you sign these contracts. Yes, they want to recoup the cost of "training" you. The other reason is that they suck. Being unsupported and micromanaged is just soul-sucking. Figure out how to get out of the contract with minimal pain and don't look back.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
On 4/3/2019 at 4:30 PM, Nursejanxoxox said:

Whom you've promised to marry. The level of commitment between boyfriend and fiance is very different. Do you think it matters one way or the other? If he was already my husband would leaving be more justified?

There might be a clause in your contract that lets you off if your spouse relocates. This might also apply to domestic partners. Check your contract and see if there are ways to alleviate the financial pain.

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Specializes in ICU.

Usually the time counts once off orientation. So is it really a year since you were off orientation?

I am very aware of FL hospital policy. I had a friend take a new grad job 8 years ago there. Your penalty should be prorated with FL Hospital. At least that what they have always done to my knowledge. You will not owe 13500.

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