employer trying to make me sign contract AFTER training me

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I was hired into a 5 month critical care residency/training program as a new grad RN (already had my license) that guarantees you placement in one of the areas you rotate through when finished. Now that they are finished training me, the manager of the ICU center is saying if I want to work there I have to sign an 18 month contract because they spent all that money on training me (this could equate to tens of thousands of dollars if they wanted it to). I am miserable here the ICU/hospital is not for me (they have lied and walked all over me this whole time, just every week its a new lie or problem with the residency program...i definitely didn't get the training or experience they promised, they NEVER told me that i was going to be required to work an extra overtime shift every other week until just now, and my health cant afford this overtime and lack of lunches and everything else) this town is not for me (real backwards racist and tired of all my stuff being stolen at my residence)...not the point except it means that I KNOW i will not be staying for 18 months I can barely get through the next 6 without going crazy (this will be my one year mark). Here is the issue:

1. The employer made me sign a 1 year contract when i started ONLY because they gave me $6200 to pay my loans and moving costs...if i leave a DAY before the contract ends I have to pay the ENTIRE money back (in no way is it prorated), plus leave a job without at least 1 year of nursing experience, making getting another job really difficult

2. The employer DID tell me in the interview and in the email during the same time that they wanted an 18 month commitment that started AFTER i completed the residency...however, they said that it was not official, they would not make me sign anything (they are now denying this)..but still they have this over my head because they did tell me about the commitment and have proof of it

There is no way for my health or sanity that I can stay longer, and cant afford to pay back $6200 I have not a single dollar to my name because of loans/bills, but if i sign the new contract I would potentially end up owing more money than i could make in my life (well, close to it)...so far I have been avoiding management because they are telling me I have to put in an official transfer application into the ICU (right now I'm just getting payed from the hospital education department still) and then they will make me sign this contract. Im not here to ask if I'm wrong on my part or the hospital is wrong in their part (I mean I could get into so many details about that but its not what I'm worried about anymore) I just need to know what to do in a situation like this I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place, in order to get out of owing some pretty significant money I may end up owing an ENORMOUS amount of money...please help!

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If your health and sanity are threatened as you say, then by all means, resign now. But be prepared for the consequences. You might consider consulting with an employment attorney before you sign any more contracts. Good luck.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

You said it "guarantees you placement in one of the areas you rotate through when finished." Is there another area/floor you can go to without repercussions?

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Specializes in interested in NICU!!.

do you have the ppwk you signed for the 12 month contract or any other ppwk you might have signed? if so, read it, re-read it and see if it states that you do have to stay for 18 mo. after finishing your 12 mo. or take all the ppwk/contract to a lawyer so he can give you the best advice and the truth about what you really signed. good luck!:heartbeat

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If I might make a suggestion that sounds crazy.... do somtehing to get fired. Nothing illegal, or that would put you in any license difficulty, just be uncordial to your co-workers... or even a little rude. If an employer decides to fire you then you usually are not obligated to pay back relocation and that kind of thing. After all it is their decision...

As far as references, they may not be great, but they can't say anything bad about you. Most employers are aware that they can only validate the dates you were employed for them. Anything else and they are opening themselves to a lawsuit.

Good luck

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Specializes in Cardiac.
If I might make a suggestion that sounds crazy.... do somtehing to get fired. Nothing illegal, or that would put you in any license difficulty, just be uncordial to your co-workers... or even a little rude. If an employer decides to fire you then you usually are not obligated to pay back relocation and that kind of thing. After all it is their decision...

No it's not. If you do something that gets you fired then you are in breach of your contract and STILL will be required to pay back the amount. Whatever you do, don't take this route...

(and, if being "uncordial" or a "little rude" caused people to be fired, then we'd have no nurses. LOL)

Unfortunately, it does cost a lot of money to train new grads. I see nothing wrong with wanting you to sign a contract. You are lucky to even be working as a new grad in the ICU nowadays. Be grateful you have a job.

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I would suggest that she read her contract. Most contracts have an at will clause... they can let a person go for any reason - or no reason. Most contracts do not require repayment if it is their choice to let you go.

No one should be "grateful" to have a job that makes them miserable...

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Specializes in Hospice.

I agree that you need to have your current (12 month) contract reviewed by an attorney ... yes, it costs money, but you'll have a clearer idea of whether or not you are obligated to sign a second contract in order to fulfill the terms of the first. Don't be penny-wise and pound-foolish!

Seems iffy to me ... but you never know. The unpleasant fact is ... you took the money, you spent the money and if the first contract binds you to signing the second (18 month) you may have some fancy footwork to do. An attorney is the only way to go, IMHO.

BTW ... the original post is very familiar, though the thread is a bit different from what I remember ... what happened ... or have I finally gone ga-ga?

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Hello, I would just tell them to come see when your one year is up and then you will decide what you are going to do. Isn't it premature for them to be asking you for another contract when the first one is not completed? Are they asking for a contract revision? If so tell them you want to complete the rest of your first year then revisit the idea. Sounds like you are being strong armed into staying. I think an atorney reviewing the first contract would be wise. Keep us posted and good luck!

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Best course of action is hang out and finish first year you agreed to and then get out. Certainly, DO NOT sign anything else!!!!!

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