Confused New Grad...help!

dishes, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2011

If you take the chance and move, you will get the acute care experience that you crave, the worst that can happen is that you won't like it and you will move back.

missrn208 · Jan 12, 2011

Thank you for replying.

Now I have gotten the job offer and it is not exactly what I was thinking. The contract states that they will give me a $10,000 signing bonus upfront, and if my contract ends earlier then I would owe them money back. Also they would pay up to $3000 relocation costs, but if the contract ends earlier than 2 years then I would owe them money back.

Does anyone have any job negotiation experience? I would really love to go, and after thinking about it for a while I am prepared to commit to a one year contract. I'm not sure how to approach this situation with the recruiter, any suggestions would help.

Thank you.

Fiona59 · Jan 12, 2011

Out west, we haven't heard of signing bonus money for a very long time. There is a reason they offer the money.

You can try negotiating but if anything they will significantly reduce the bonus and reduce the relocation costs.

They are paying you to move for their benefit.

dishes, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2011

Like fiona says, there is a reason they are offering the money...must be very difficult for them to keep staff...makes me wonder why. If you have a copy of the contract, maybe you should go over it with an employment lawyer before you make your decision.

dishes

missrn208 · Jan 14, 2011

Thank you for your suggestions. I really appreciate it. Will try and find an employment lawyer to take a look.

:)

nessa_5555 · Jan 14, 2011

Northern Ontario is CRAVING for nurses. Alot of reserves or cities are offering signing bonuses and relocation costs because of lack of population and/or health care options. Make sure you research where you will be living and what your duties will include. Sometimes, the more they are willing to pay you, the more remote you may very well be. Best of luck!

By the way. If you are looking into doing visit nursing in the community, more jobs will open up in March/April as that is the beginning of their new year for contracts and budgets.

RescueNinja · Jan 19, 2011

Many places up north would require you to be alone (I'm not talking just being the only nurse...I'm talking being the only staff period). Do your homework... I wouldn't exactly want to be in a position where I was completely alone in an area I was not at all familiar with (especially places that are notoriously dangerous) as a new grad.

NorthernStudent · Jan 22, 2011

hello missrn208

i am in a similar situation. i moved from windsor to northern ontario and i absolutely love it. i had multiple offers, one from a hospital north of timmins. they offered me a huge signing bonus but there was no work for my partner so i did not take the job.

you should look in to the community nursing visit program. i was flown to two communities to tour the hospitals and see what life would be like if i lived there. the government pays for your travel and accommodation.

because i'm on a new grad program i have had a thorough mentorship program. there is something to be said working in a rural hospital. you get to do everything. overwhelming at times, but you learn a lot and i feel that this experience will make me a better nurse in the long run. i plan on applying to an np program in two years and feel that a rural nursing gig is a great way to increase your nursing skills. another thing i've found is that docs don't have that big city attitude up here. even the locum docs mellow out after a few weeks...must be something in the water.

have fun, buy a really warm coat (it's -30 outside now) a good pair of boots and come join us up here.

Golfenaround · Jan 23, 2011

There are jobs in Timmins, Ontario.

A friend of mine reallocated from Toronto to Timmins. She enjoys it and finds the same as Northern Student's post. Relaxed. Fun. Challenging because you see everything and you and the MD's are it. No teams as larger centers so you get very hands on experience.

Jr07ev · Feb 6, 2011

Might I ask where your job offer was? I live in Timmins, ON and am familiar with most Northern Ontario hospitals. You do need to do your research because some hospitals are much more rural than others. For example, the Timmins and District Hospital is a community hospital that serves a greater area. There is a full health care provision team including MDs, Registered Nurses, and most allied health professionals - with coverage by many specialists. Other hospitals are much smaller in scale with less support and less activity within the community. These hospitals are often in Northwestern Ontario or in Aboriginal communities. Good luck!