Grad nurse residency wants 3 year commitment

calivianya, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2014

I have a two year contract myself. Most new grad programs I saw had two years. I landed a phone interview at one with a three year contract, and they asked me to come in for an in-person interview, but I decided to turn them down. Two years is bad enough, and I have a year and a half left and I can't wait to get out. I can't imagine being stuck somewhere for three years.

Nonetheless · Feb 25, 2014

IMHO a place shouldn't need such a contract unless something is wrong. I plan on staying at my first acute care job for at least 3-5 years unless it is awful or I get married or something. I think most new grad nurses feel the same way. Many nurses I have met have been at the same unit for 5-25 years. The fact that they want to force me and others to do what we already plan on doing is a red flag.

A place shouldn't have a legally binding contract forcing you to stay there unless they have problems with retention.

EDIT: I would examine as to why they want you to sign it. Do they have a toxic work environment, or do they have a great, expensive new grad training program?

allnurses Guide · Feb 25, 2014

Almost EVERY new grad residency comes with a contract now and it has nothing to do with the facility being a bad place to work. It has a lot to do with the culture of job hopping and new grads taking positions in which they have no intention of staying in once they get a little experience. The facility is having to invest thousands in training nurses because schools no longer graduate nurses actually ready to hit the ground running. This costs the facility money in man hours and productivity. The facility has a right to see some return on its investment, which equates to around two to three years of working the floor at new grad pay rates.

This is completely common. In fact, in most major cities this is the norm. Therefore conjecturing needing such a contract equates to a bad work environment is just erroneous. It is part of the nursing culture at this point. Too many new grads jump ship before the facility doing the intense training has any opportunity to recoup the investment they put into the new grad. Thus the contract - "We will train you in return for your commitment to stay here long enough for that training to benefit our institution".

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2014

It has to do with the large number of new nurses that job hop.

I work for a top 5 facility. Orientation to my unit requires significant facility costs in time, stress and energy over the first 18-24 months. The new nurse is oriented to nursing in the facility, their new role, telemetry, ACLS, oncology, hematology, and critical care. In addition, they will getting their regular wages during that time, though they will not be working up to full role status, during that time, and requiring extra work by their preceptors and mentors.

Once the new nurse gets that training, they have gained a great deal of value in the job market. But they need to work to "pay back" the costs in time and energy, that was used to get them up to speed.

Unfortunately, the "I will work my required 2 years in ICU, to get to CRNA school", or " I will work this job until what I really want comes open" mindsets have created a bad enough situation that facilities are now requiring a commitment. While my facility does not require a signed commitment, they do voice an expectation of a 3 year commitment.

MissyNik · Feb 27, 2014

Oh my I am learning so much!! I would also want to know if that hospital was connected to any other hospitals. Will me leaving the contract hopsital prevent me from gaining employment at XYZ hospital? Here we have many hospital systems that are connected or they have facilities in other locations.

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Feb 27, 2014

My hospital has the same kind of thing but ours is a 2 year commitment for external hires. Luckily since I am an internal transfer new grad, mine is only a year