Changing Hospitals and Breaking a Contract

[mbluerose]

So I have been a nurse for a little while now (9 years) and I recently signed a contract for a 2-year agreement in order to have training education classes and transfer to the ICU. I have completed 5 of the 24 months. The contract does not include the 3 months of training as re-payment. The 2-year contract states that I will owe $12,000 if I do not complete the 2 years and it will prorate any time that has been completed. It also states the hospital will take my PTO and my last check if needed. I will owe $9,500 and have more than that in my current PTO. I have been offered a new job that is a little closer to my hospital and pays a little more ($1/hr more). I have talked with the new hospital about my contract and they have assured me that the contract will not be held up in court and that all hospitals take a risk when they hire someone. The new job is a hospital that I have always wanted to work at but I'm so scared to leave my current job! Is this contract binding? Will they take my PTO? Is it worth it to break the contract? I have worked for my current hospital for 4 years and I am worried about being put on the do-not-rehire list. Any advice on a good way to write a letter of resignation for this type of situation? Any suggestions on what to do?

[scottaprn]

I had my PTO reduced because of tuition reimbursement. It is much easier for the company to take PTO out than to chase you down for the money later.

As far as if it is worth it is dependent on you. From a pure financial standpoint if you lose 9,500 and make $1 an hour more an hour you will have to work about 4.5 years (40 hours per week) to make up the loss.

[Purple_roses]

That is an absurd amount of money to lose over making $1 an hour more, dream hospital or not.