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Discussion

Breaking RN residency contract

hello,

I am writing this post so I can get some insights and advice. I worked at a big city hospital if not the biggest hospital in my state. I was into an RN residency program which I signed a contract for 2 years. After about 11 months, I broke the contract due to long commute and some health issues. They held my last wages and my PTO money as a consequence. I agreed to fulfill my responsibilities since I was into an agreement.

However before I resigned, my unit manager worked with me by giving me part-time to accommodate my situation since I had a medical letter on file. With the part-time, I also worked as a PH nurse in a county health dpt near home. I was doing 2 jobs working 7 days a week. It was really exhausting and strenuous on my body. So I quit the hospital job. Now a month later, I am having so much regrets for making that decision although it was the best one for my health at that time.

Now I am thinking of going back to the hospital to a different unit that I shadowed before. I'm not excited about STDs, immunization, and the pay is very low at my current job. My issue now is this: is it a good idea to go back to this hospital? It'll be easier to get my feet back in a hospital setting again since I already know the environment and the people. Already been to several career fairs and realized that I am not getting any job offers. I guess it's because I just left a hospital and my resume doesn't look attractive. One interviewer asked me why don't I go back to that hospital. Any insights or advice will be appreciated. thanks

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    • Admin

    Before applying for jobs at your former employer, make sure you're even eligible for rehire- some places breaking a contract makes you an automatic do not hire. Unfortunately, this is not the best economic environment to be seeking new nursing positions as supply in most areas far outweighs demand, meaning employers can be much choosier. You've also got another strike against you in that you are looking for your third job in just a year's time as many facilities may view you as high risk. You could try finding a PRN or per diem position where you can establish a reputation with an employer and transition into a full time position.

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    Honestly, given the current market, you'd be VERY lucky if they even considered taking you back after breaking a contract like that, especially as a new grad. Maybe in GA it's not so impacted, but in most places, there's no way I can imagine any manager or HR department would entertain this.

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    • Expert

    You broke the contract with the first employer because of the commute and health issues; your nurse manager (instead of saying, "Don't let the door hit you on the way out") arranged a part-time position for you to accommodate your health issues; so you then went out and got another full-time job, so you were working full-time AND part-time jobs, which wiped you out so much that you quit your first employer entirely? Am I missing something here? How on earth does that make any sense?

    I would be very surprised if the hospital would be willing to consider hiring you again. They're probably not even willing to give you decent references. In the current employment climate, unless you happen to be somewhere that has a real nursing shortage, I'm guessing you're going to have a hard time finding another job. If you haven't quit the public health job yet, don't. Stick with that for some reasonable amount of time (at least a full year; preferably, longer) and work hrd at being successful there. Best wishes --

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    • Author

    Thanks for replying...@ elkpak, I accepted the full time position because it is near home and way of an easy/lay back job. I was not a new grad when I accepted that position in the hospital. I already had a year of experience. This hospital puts everyone with less than 2 years of experience in a contract since there is a high turnover rate. I am considering sticking to the public health job.

    @ RunBabyRN And yes I am eligible for rehire. I already checked with HR. I just don't think the time is appropriate to go back now.

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    • Author

    To add, I decided to leave my previous employer because I was miserable, unhappy, sick in my body, and burn out. The nurse to patient ratio was ridiculous. And no matter how much the nurses complained, it seems like nothing was being done about it. However due to my career goals, I know how important the acute care experience is. By now, not sure If I even care anymore. Probably it's time to return to school. Thanks for all the comments...

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    I'm just curious, how long was your commute? My dream job is 30-40 or more miles away through Atlanta traffic. During peak times I could be looking at a 2 hour commute. But it's Emory!! ... Just wondering if your decision to quit was more health or commute related.

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    Thanks for replying...@ elkpak, I accepted the full time position because it is near home and way of an easy/lay back job. I was not a new grad when I accepted that position in the hospital. I already had a year of experience. This hospital puts everyone with less than 2 years of experience in a contract since there is a high turnover rate. I am considering sticking to the public health job.

    @ RunBabyRN And yes I am eligible for rehire. I already checked with HR. I just don't think the time is appropriate to go back now.

    Legally "eligible for rehire" is VERY different from "we'd love to take you back if you ever want to do so." Eligible for rehire simply means you didn't get fired, didn't have a lawsuit against you, etc. It does NOT mean that they necessarily WANT you back or WILL hire you back.

    If you were so miserable there, why even consider going back? If you couldn't tolerate it before, what makes you think it'll be different this time? In my own experience going back to old jobs, we tend to burn out even faster the second time around.

    If acute care experience is what you seek, are there other hospitals in the area?

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    • Expert
    Thanks for replying...@ elkpak, I accepted the full time position because it is near home and way of an easy/lay back job. I was not a new grad when I accepted that position in the hospital. I already had a year of experience. This hospital puts everyone with less than 2 years of experience in a contract since there is a high turnover rate. I am considering sticking to the public health job.

    @ RunBabyRN And yes I am eligible for rehire. I already checked with HR. I just don't think the time is appropriate to go back now.

    And you have further proven to them that they are right to not trust newer nurses.

    I agree with the RunBaby; just because HR told you you are "eligible for rehire" doesn't mean that they would be willing to hire you back (or even that they are telling you the truth about that). I would be v. surprised if you could get a good reference from them, let alone be hired there again.

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    • Author

    My decision to quit was more health & stress related. My commute was about 2hr daily.

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    • Author
    I'm just curious, how long was your commute? My dream job is 30-40 or more miles away through Atlanta traffic. During peak times I could be looking at a 2 hour commute. But it's Emory!! ... Just wondering if your decision to quit was more health or commute related.

    My commute was about 2 hr or more during peak times. My decision was more health related though.

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    • Author

    Quote by RunBabyRN

    Legally "eligible for rehire" is VERY different from "we'd love to take you back if you ever want to do so." Eligible for rehire simply means you didn't get fired, didn't have a lawsuit against you, etc. It does NOT mean that they necessarily WANT you back or WILL hire you back.

    If you were so miserable there, why even consider going back? If you couldn't tolerate it before, what makes you think it'll be different this time? In my own experience going back to old jobs, we tend to burn out even faster the second time around.

    If acute care experience is what you seek, are there other hospitals in the area?

    Agreed. Yes I have hospitals in my area. I will start the search when I am ready to do so.

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