Did You Get A Sign On Bonus?

debbieGa · Jul 16, 2005

i was hired on with a 1500.00 bonus. 500.00 after 90 days 500.00 after 6 months and 500.00 after a year. I think this is fairly common in my area (northeast Florida) I'm not complaining.

I work in Northeast Florida also and I did not get a sign on bonus. I know Shands offers one but rumor has it that they are a horrible hospital for nurses to work at. I work at Baptist and I believe that they only offer a sign on bonus to experienced RN's. I am not to sure about the other hospitals.

LisaG21 · Jul 16, 2005

I live in philadelphia, and the hospitals around here are offering sign on bonuses:

graduate hosp- awesome hospital very respectable 20 thou for new grads I think they just want more nruses cause they are in university city and there are sooo many huge world known hospitals there (University of Pennsylvania, childrens hospital) don't think anything is wrong with the hosp acctually consided the 45 minute drive to work there!

SaderNurse05, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2005

I am in Waco, TX and we have 2 hospitals. At the first one the nurse recruiter stood me up twice, no apologies, nothing, also no bonus. The second on, the nurse recruiter helped me get a job as a tech during school and helped me transfer as a tech for better experiences and finally helped me pick which floor would be right for me- also, we get $3000 for a 1 year commitment...No brainer.

I agree that you should look carefully at the big picture and not be too swayed by bonuses....

LouisianaNurse2006 · Jul 17, 2005

I would think it would be hard to compare, because if you are offered a sign on bonus, maybe the pay may be a little less, or vise versa. A large sign on bonus is tempting, but like the others said, there is a reason (for everything). Also, young graduates with stars in their eyes see the figures and get excited, but it is spread out over several payments.... you don't get $5000 bucks plopped into your sweaty little palm the first day on the job for nothing. Wake up peeps, it is nice but means nothing in the long run unless you would want to work there regardless of the bonus. And ALWAYS remember, "Don't believe everything you hear" and "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is". Not being negative here, just mature enough to laugh at the naive.

grinnurse, RN · Jul 18, 2005

Bonus Here.

The hospital that I chose to work at has a 5,000$ sign on bonus for new nurses. The $ is paid out every 4 mos ends up being 1,666.66

I think alot of the smaller/rural hospitals might actually offer the bonuses too as a way to recruit in those areas. I agree to watch out for those really big bonuses either b/c of the length of time you have to committ to or the working conditions. I almost fell into that trap after graduation, but thank goodness things didnt work out for me with that hosp cause I have heard some really bad things about the working conditions there now.

momandnurse28 · Jul 18, 2005

I recieved a $3000 bonus for relocation expenses. It is a very desirable hospital in New Hampshire. They offered me this bonus because I was moving 1 1/2 hours away from where I lived to work for this hospital. They do not have "regular" sign-on bonuses. I also recieve $2500/yr for up to 4 years towards repaying my student loans. A good sign I would look for is a hospital willing to pay for you to further your education. It shows they are willing to invest in you. My hospital is also willing to pay to $2500/yr for me to get my BSN (I have an ASN right now). Hope this helps.

RN007 · Jul 19, 2005

Hi, all. I'm new to the boards, new to nursing school and new to the health profession. I've been lurking for a month or so and finally joined. This info was really useful. Thanks! :)

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jul 20, 2005

I just got hired as a new grad RN in a large teaching hospital in Mass. They don't give out sign-on bonuses here unfortunately. But to cheer myself up, I just think of my really awesome nurses' union-I love them already because they fought to give us a new starting salary that is $2 higher than I was originally told. I can't complain now! :)

ncrn2005 · Jul 21, 2005

Where I work you got $300 sign on plus $200 extra if you stayed a year. If you dont call out any day you have to work within a year you get $1000 bonus

Sapphy, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2005

I am a new grad as of May 2005 and passed my boards...just found out today. I work at a freestanding rehab hospital and they pay a $2000 sign on bonus for a 2 Yr commitment... For our area (NW PA) this is actually a good bonus. They also put a $10000 check in my grubby little hands in a few months and call it a student loan reimbersement (as if this would cover my loans lol) The work is hard and staffing is sometimes short but I LOVE my job. I actually turned down a job in Reading PA that offered a 15K bonus plus education expenses. I turned it down because I am making the same hourly wage here in my home town without having to move!

I am still in school but would like to try and settle an ongoing discussion. Many of my classmates claim that everyone is getting a sign on bonus when they start working. It is as if they believe it is automatic and it does not matter where you live. When I ask new nurses (in our area) they say no one that graduated with was offered a sign on bonus. Maybe it is just my area but I was wondering about the rest of the country.
I know it prob has been a topic many times, but...Is anyone getting a sign on bonus? If so, is it your first nursing job? Also, if you want to disclose, how much was your bonus for?

jzprple · Jul 23, 2005

Jami--

where are you in Oregon? Does your hospital have a new grad program?? Or are you finding there are enough nurses around you're not short on finding new employees?

The hospital I recruit for does not offer sign-on bonuses to new grads. In fact, we only offer sign-ons to experienced critical care or OR nurses because they are still pretty hard to come by. I agree with previous posters -- the higher the bonus, the more you're gonna pay every day at work. $7,500 up front to a new grad means you're going to suffer every single day and possibly lose your license because the hospital is so short-staffed.
I will admit, though, that the area of the country I'm in does not have a huge shortage right now. One of the reasons my hospital doesn't offer sign-on bonuses is that we've decided we want nurses to work here because they agree with our mission and values, and not because we offer a bonus. This has reduced our turn-over, because we don't get the "bonus-chasers" who change jobs every 2 years for the money.
Think hard about how much you're willing to pay for that bonus in the years you promise to work!

tramalady45 · Jul 23, 2005

I am still in school but would like to try and settle an ongoing discussion. Many of my classmates claim that everyone is getting a sign on bonus when they start working. It is as if they believe it is automatic and it does not matter where you live. When I ask new nurses (in our area) they say no one that graduated with was offered a sign on bonus. Maybe it is just my area but I was wondering about the rest of the country.
I know it prob has been a topic many times, but...Is anyone getting a sign on bonus? If so, is it your first nursing job? Also, if you want to disclose, how much was your bonus for?

Ya, I just started at my new job and I get $2,000. I have heard of places in the area giving as much as $12,000. That is scary! What are they doing to drive off that many employees to give bribes! lol :chuckle