Did you sign a contract for your first job?

[Violet08]

I was just wondering how common it was to sign a contract to stay at a hospital for a certain length of time if they hire you as a new grad. There is a large penalty for breaking the contract.

Did you sign a similar contract?

My main concern is the contract says the employer can change pretty much anything as they see fit and I can't. They can change the unit, the length of my orientation and if they decide to let me go I am still responsible for the penalty for not fulfilling the contract. I imagine if they let me go and expected me to pay, it would be for something I did that was seriously wrong.

[MB37]

Mine was a $2500 prorated 2 year buyout if I leave early - if I leave after my first year, I owe $1250. That's only if I quit, not if I'm terminated, and it's supposed to reflect part of the cost of training a new grad for ICU (6 month preceptorship, classes, etc.). I read the fine print and decided to sign - I'm 7 months in and enjoy my job. They just don't want people coming in, getting all this training, and bolting for CRNA school after the 1 year requisite experience - I guess that was happening quite a bit. Of course, I'm planning on bolting for CRNA school AFTER my contract is up, mostly because I want to get a little more experience first!

[Jdl2002]

There are two large hospitals in my town. One requires a one year contract for new grads and the other does not. There is no pay incentive for signing the contract. Basically it just states that if you quit before the end of your first year the hospital may not hire you back if you want to return later.

[MJJFan1, BSN, RN]

i signed a contract and will soon break the promise. i will pay the money back on the day I leave. Don't stay somewhere just because of money involved, you;ll be miserable

[SUSON2007]

I signed a 2 year contract at my first job for $3000.00 which they added to my first pay check. Taxes for my first paycheck was $1200.:angryfire Well after 10 months on the floor and not being able to transfer until i have 1 year experience i just couldn't take it anymore and took another job offer. Luckily i had saved up enough vacation and sick time (never missed a day of work) to cover it. I will never ever sign another contract:no:

[psychonaut]

My two-year new grad contract will be up in September.

No signs-on bonus, 12 week preceptorship with 2 week classroom time, 6k if I left the first year, 3k for 2nd year (signed an actual promissary note).

Probably worth it in the end, but there were times I did not like it hanging over my head (although a very good unit).

Unintentional bonus: I purposefully didn't take a vacation my first year, so I'd have PTO to cash out to offset the penalty if I absolutely had to leave. As a result, I have a LOT of PTO saved, which is nice as census is very low and we are getting cancelled right and left.

[SBT85]

I am a new grad working in neuro ICU. At my hospital if you work in any of the ICUs or the EC you have to sign a 18 month contract, which begins after you are out of orientation. If leaving before the 18month contract is up you have to pay back $2000 prorated. Also the hospital will pay $5000 in student loans; the requirement is to work for 1 year. However, if you are already required to work for 18 months you don't have to work the extra year for the $5000 payment. If you are asked to leave the unit or go to another floor you are not required to pay back the $2000.

[Sirkraker]

I signed at two year contract. I have worked at this hospital for 6 years already as a tech in the ED.. I wasnt planning on going any where anyways. Its states if I leave in less than 2 years I have to pay back 3800.00$ My orientation will be 6 months long with classroom, simulation lab, and bed side. Its ok I did get a weekend option dayshift position.

[Plagueis]

Concerning job contracts, I think caution is needed. I've had two fellow nurses who signed those agreeements, only to find out that the hospital did not have positions for them when they graduated, but they still had to pay back the tuition. In this era of many new grads not getting hired by many hospitals (based on the posts I've read on this site), is there really any guarantee that the hospitals will hold positions for nurses who sign those tuition agreements?

[rebe]

I am waiting to sign my contract (once I pass the NCLEX), which I wasn't given the option not to sign (jobs are super scarce here so I'm not being pushy as i need the job). The contract says I will stay for one year plus my orientation (15months total) and if I leave early I have to pay back orientation costs (they didn't say how much these were). Here in WA almost all the hospitals are currently requiring 2-3 year commitments so I feel pretty lucky with just 15 months. There are no jobs offering bonuses currently.

[HappyDay, RN]

I had to sign a contract for a position at a community hosp in MD. It is 2 years or pay back $5000 for orientation. There is no sign on bonus, no extras. Just commitment. I am not sure I like this practice for new grads... who is to say you are going to be a perfect fit for your first job out of school.