Grad nurse residency wants 3 year commitment

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 14, 2014

I would consider it ... but that doesn't mean I would take it. I would read the contract VERY carefully and have it reviewed by a lawyer to be sure I understood all of the possibilities associated with that contract. In particular, I would be thinking through all the "What if ...?" possibile scenarios and making sure that I was OK with them before signing such a contract.

In particular, I'd be looking closely at what my obligations would be if things didn't work out. For example: If I chose to leave after 9 months because I hated it, what would happen? Would I have to pay them money? If so, how much? Is it an amount that I could save up and set aside "just in case?" Or would I be working for a lower wage during those first few months (expecting a bonus after 1 year) and leaving early would simply mean that I would not get that bonus -- or other incentives at later points?

Different contracts are structured differently -- and my decision would be based on the specifics of that contract.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2014

Thank you for the advice. All I know at this point is that if you leave at the

seaghost · Jan 16, 2014

I bet that many many more hospitals will start doing this in the future. And I am super glad mine wasn't one of them. D:

Katie71275 · Jan 17, 2014

10k is a LOT of money to save up. You never know where life will take you. Personally, I would not feel comfortable accepting a job with that kind of contract.

sunshyne17 · Jan 18, 2014

Wow that's worse than an apartment lease or a cell phone company! Who wants to be locked in that long to any thing…. I dunno, I understand that employee retention is critical but there has to be other ways to get employees to stay other than throwing a "you owe" back at them.

How about a welcoming staff or incentives??

Not feeling the punitive approach. Hopefully the contract has legitimate outs like significant other relocation or something of that nature.

allnurses Guide · Jan 18, 2014

Sounds like Parkland. I know several who have left and they did indeed go after them for the payment. That being said, they have a very well run and thorough internship from what I understand.

Swellz · Jan 18, 2014

Thank you for the advice. All I know at this point is that if you leave at the
My contract states I have to pay 6k if I leave before 2 years. It's not ideal, but it is the only offer I got lol. I have the option of transferring in-house after a year though, so if my floor isn't working out I have some flexibility. 10k is just so much money to gamble with.

SE_BSN_RN, BSN · Feb 15, 2014

Well, how badly do you need a job? Are you willing to be unemployed for a long period of time? New grad jobs (shoot, even jobs in general) are very hard to come by, especially if you have no experience!

dawniepoo · Feb 15, 2014

The hospital I got hired at requires a 2 year commitment, after the 12 week training portion is over. Its a 13,000 dollar commitment, but I thought it was worth it. I need the experience anyway.

danceyrun · Feb 15, 2014

I would also ask if the 3 years is a commitment to the unit or the facility in general.

renardeau, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2014

My new grad program has a 2-year commitment (3 months of which is official "orientation", with the new graduate program running a full year from the start date) to the facility. The penalty for leaving before the contract is up is 3.5k and it is not pro-rated.

For many people, this was the equivalent of about a year's worth of PTOs and so if they found an opportunity somewhere else, they didn't mind not cashing out their PTOs and paying a little bit to go after it. As a new graduate, I think the program is pretty well-structured and I really don't blame the hospital for trying to get something out of their investment.

I would consider the reputation of the program. If it is decent, I'd do it since I'd want to start working as soon as possible. I didn't really have the luxury of waiting and considering other options with my loans hanging over my head, but perhaps you're in a better position than I am. Best of luck deciding!