Contract/Bonus repayment

[DBev93]

Hi-

I'm a RN of 8 months who took a sign-on bonus for a 2 yr committment with a hospital. I was paid the $$ during my last semester, and only did so because i would not have been able to finish school w/o it .....literally that money saved my butt big -time AND I really liked the hospital organization. Still do, the position I'm taking is in a physician office in the same hospital network....however the hospital won't forgive because i'm no longer a "hospital" employee...ok fine, I understand their position.

Now because of my family situation, I cannot fulfill the contract and will need to repay the money. Obviously, they have asked for a lump sum payment, which i obviously won't have. :-( Has anyone ever been in the situation and have the employer accept a payment arrangement??? I have an awesome new job that better meets my family situation (single mom of 3, 2 who have significant special needs) and can make payments, I just wondered what some of you have experienced before I approach my hr recruiter.

Thanks,

DBev93

[IngyRN]

I have signed contracts for completion bonuses ( on travel assignments) and relocation reimbursement. Unfortunately, most of these contracts are very strict with the conditions. If you cannot fulfill the commitment then they usually expect you to pay the full amount either immediately or within a short amount of time ( they may give you like 14 d). If you do not pay they may send your account to a collection agency. These conditions were the 'fine print" on the contracts. Does your contract specify these??

[BigT]

Did the hospital pay you your bonus in one lump sum? If so then I do think that they will want the funds back to them within a specified time.

You may have to go out and get a loan to cover the breach of contract that you chose to make.

But as the previous posted stated, you probably already have the answer in front of you in the contract you signed.

T

[suzanne4, RN]

Each hospital is different and they set their own requirements. You are going to need to check with them and see what they will accept.

Best of luck to you.

[matt59]

I recently resigned from a position w/ a sign-on bonus because the commute turned out to be more than I was up to. There were provisions for credit card repayment. Maybe you could investigate that.

[RN1989]

Reread your contract. I have seen them go after people that did not follow the contract to the letter. They don't care about your reasons but they will kill your credit to get their money back.

[dreamingofbeing]

When I broke mine they required full repayment 14 days from the date of the letter they sent requesting repayment. Luckily I had set aside my final paycheck for this or I would have been up a creek. I just got a letter today saying I was paid in full through them and I paid it back in April:icon_roll. Definately read your contract you signed and see what stipualtions they put in it.