Contracts with sign-on bonuses

[texascowgirl]

Like an idiot, I took a 2 year contract with a sign on bonus that was paid to me. If I leave, I have to pay it back, obviously. I realized quickly that there is no such thing as a free ride. The facility fires people left and right all the time, sometimes for no good reason-it's alot of politics. They laid off a bunch of nurses to keep the hospital afloat. I get no breaks and I am told dont even bother trying to charge for it-because the last nurse that did report them to the Labor Board, was made so miserable that she had to quit.

I am definitely not staying for my whole contract, but just dont know how I will come up with all that money to pay them back before I quit, unless I make a payment plan or something.

Please help.

Has anyone out there left a contract before it was up? (one with a sign on bonus). by the way, i am not a traveler-i am a direct hire to the hospital.

[ZootRN]

dont you think it would cost quite a bit to get an attorney just for that?

doubt there is any loophole. the only thing they are doing wrong is breaking labor board laws and not making sure we get breaks.

yes the conditions are that bad, that it is worth me paying back...and i will, just wont be able to pay all at once...

I've never heard of the hospital making sure nurses get breaks. It is your responsibility to organize your day in a way that will allow for breaks (which many of us found to be impossible with current staffing ratios). Offer to cover for other people so they can get breaks, and ask to cover you so you can get yours. I actually noticed that nurses I work with are proud do not take breaks (kind of perverted martyr-like work ethics), which is ridiculous to me. I may take late break, but I'll never run 12 hours shift without one.

[NurseguyFL]

Hey Tex,

Sorry to hear about what you're going through, but can't say I'm surprised. Many times, some of these places that are offering really high sign-on bonuses (usually with a long term commitment requirement) are doing it only because they have problems retaining their nurses, for some of the very reasons that you're now experiencing. I agree with your decision to quit and pay the money back. I once had to do the same thing, and had no regrets about it afterwards.

I wouldn't hire an attorney just yet. Thats going to cost a lot of money, and most of the time it isn't necessary because the contract has a clause in it that says if you leave early all you have to do is pay the money back, and it is usually pro-rated. However, I would definitely report them.

I once heard about a thing they have there in Texas called Group One, to which some vengeful managers report negative information on nurses who leave on unfavorable terms. Don't know if this is true or not. But, just in case, you don't want to put yourself in a situation where these people can hinder your chances of getting a better job elsewhere. So, whatever you decide to do, don't reveal details of your plans here. I've learned from experience that the Internet is not as anonymous as I used to think.