Contract Issue

merlee · Apr 22, 2011

I don't understand - you didn't have an inkling about how you felt about floor nursing until you actually started working? And you are not willing to get your feet just a bit more wet?

Take some deep breaths, pull up your big kids' pants, and LOOK INSIDE yourself.

Or pay 10000, and don't pass GO.

bdanders · Apr 22, 2011

Good Morning,
Soooo, I am thinking since they have 3 months to fire me during the internship, I have 3 months to re-sign.

Whether you resign or are fired within the three months still means you did not meet the terms of your contract. The way I (and I imagine most employers) see it is that the $10,000 doesn't belong to you until you fulfill your contract. They were just kind enough to let you hold onto it in the mean time.

If you're planning on resigning soon, look at it this way. You expect to receive $10,000 plus your agreed upon salary for 1, maybe 2 months of work? Use your critical thinking skills, this is not reasonable.

Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN · Apr 22, 2011

My friend signed a scholarship contract with a hospital that gave $8k to her program if she works for them for a year. If she breaks the contract she must pay the $8k. She hates her floor too but she is working it anyhow because its a job and she doesnt want to pay the hospital, so she is working off her debt (while getting paid a salary).No one wants to give out that type of money for free. A contract is legal and binding. I doubt you wont have to pay it back. Besides, you can go somewhere else and hate that place too PLUS have to pay your old job back $10k. GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

elkpark · Apr 22, 2011

The contract just stated, "After the completion of the internship, the employee must remain in the Clinical Nurse I position for 12 months, otherwise the employee must repay $10,000." Soooo, I am thinking since they have 3 months to fire me during the internship, I have 3 months to re-sign.

Where/how are you reading into that statement that you "have 3 months to re-sign"?? (Other than wishful thinking on your part, that is.)

dekagirlsRN · Apr 22, 2011

I'm not sure I understand where you're at in the contract--have you completed the orientation? I feel for you because I was in a similar situation not too long ago. I signed a contract to work in the OR, orientation was 1 year with a promise to work for 2 years following orientation. Midway thru orientation I knew in my heart that the OR was not for me, and I finally resigned with a heavy heart. The hospital never held me to the contract--not sure if it was because I didn't complete the orientation, or because they changed the terms of the contract (pay cut for all employees), whatever, I wasn't complaining. I would have agreed to a pro rated amount to get me out of the contract, but they never pursued it.

Honestly, it was the best decision for my career. I am very happy now, found my niche, and will never look back. Warning: I asked what to do on this Board back then, and got beat up pretty bad for contemplating breaking the contract. But I had to follow my heart. Good luck to you :heartbeat

kcksk · Apr 22, 2011

If you just started working April 11th, talk to them now before they invest any more time/money in training you. It's only been a couple of weeks-be honest and since they haven't invested much money at this point, maybe they won't hold you to the terms.

systoly · Apr 22, 2011

Sounds like you need someone with contract law experience.

Trauma Columnist · Apr 22, 2011

After only two weeks - I would suspect you are stressed to the max. Give it some time. I too think you will be repaying the $10k if you don't stay. BTW - just curious - if you only started April 11th and its now April 22nd, have you already received and SPENT $10k?

bagladyrn, RN · Apr 22, 2011

Why do you even think you should be able to keep the $10,000.?

It sounds pretty clear cut to me: They said "Work for us for this long and we will give you this money." You agreed. If you don't do what you agreed to what are you receiving this money for?

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Apr 22, 2011

You are essentially stuck. You signed a contract and you are bound to that agreement. Sometimes you can negotiate a settlement or pro-rated buy out. My word of caution is that in this day and age when there are many applicants for each position......

WHY did this place deem it necessary to have a 15 month binding contract to keep people...... :rolleyes: ?????

If you really want out I would seek legal advice......Good luck

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Apr 22, 2011

I'm assuming that the 10k was a sign on bonus that was paid to you in a lump sum prior to starting work.

I don't know if you would have to repay a sign on bonus if you were fired, but that's not the issue.

The terms of your contract clearly stated that you needed to work the orientation, plus 12 months in order to receive the 10k sign on bonus. If you choose to leave before that, then you forfeit the bonus and must repay the 10k. End of story. If there were another alternative, people could make a killing accepting positions with sign on bonuses and then leaving without doing the work.

While I would advise you to stick it out on the floor (for the experience, if nothing else), ultimately this is a personal choice for your career. Keep in mind that nursing positions are not easy to find right now, and you'll have to explain the short stint of employment. You do only have two choices- 1. Leave the job and give back the 10k, or, 2. Stay on for the term of the contract.