Haven't graduated yet, being asked to stay after I do. Need some advice

[FLnurseprospect]

I have been working in an outpatient clinic for almost seven years, as a Medical Assistant. I am in my third semester of RN school. My employer has been very generous in providing full time benefits (while working part time) and scheduling me based on my school schedule; even offering me opportunities to work from home.

Last week my employer pulled me aside and essentially told me about their vision for my new position as an RN Case Manager working in the hospital, outpatient surgery center, skilled nursing facilities, and in patient's homes. They are requesting I sign a contract to stay. Up until this point, it was not my intention to stay. I assumed they didn't expect me to stay. I knew that after I graduated, I would have to try and get a job in a hospital setting in order to get the experience that I needed to be a skillful and well rounded nurse. However, considering everything they are doing for me now, the fact that I still need a job, the opportunity to work hands on with other established professionals, and the salary that's being discussed, it seems foolish not to accept the position. I asked for a week to review the details of the position before I give them an answer. I have an indebted feeling towards my employer because they have been extremely fair with me and that feeling is really influencing my decision making. I need some objective opinions :)

I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet but I have a couple of different questions:

1. Is it too soon to ask this of me? The thought of a contract (which by-the-way hasn't been completed yet) seems so limiting which defies one of the reasons I chose a career in nursing (the flexibility). I know they are planning for the future of the practice but I haven't even completed my third semester.

2. Considering the position may require up to a 50 hour work week (most likely more) and includes taking call and sometimes visiting patients on the weekend, what other types of nursing jobs would allow me to continue utilizing the skills I've learned (peg tube, trach, Ng tubes, Caths, IVs, etc.)? I know there is per-diem work at the hospital which If I take the position, I will apply for but, I'm looking for other alternatives I may not be thinking about or know of.

I only learned about this position on Friday, so yes, I am still doing my research. I am here as part of that. Your expertise are greatly appreciated!!

[johsonmichelle]

I think you should read the contract very well before signing, no job is 100 percent guarantee. You have a whole year to finish your degree and pass your nclex. I would advise to just keep your options open, do not put all your eggs into one basket. I'm only saying because I know quite a few people who were in your position and now that we have graduated, do not work at the job that was promised.

[MYSTICOOKIEBEAR]

With the limited information that you have provided, and because they have been very good to you, and provided that you will be compensated well, I would say do it for at least 1 year. You know everybody already, it sounds like you get along well with them too, you know how the system and process works, and you will be locked in for a position after you graduate.

You have worked there for quite awhile by today's standards, they value you as a person, they value you as a worker by asking you to stay, having that 1 year of experience will open up your ability to apply for more jobs at the end of that one year as opposed to when you are a new grad.

There are more pros than cons IMHO but that is up to you to decide. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[DowntheRiver]

There are plenty of new grad opportunities through out the state of Florida. I can count 5 different hospitals that have new grad residencies in the Tampa Bay area. If you're honestly considering the hospital, I believe it would benefit you to be working as a CNA or PCT.

Just my two cents. The hospital isn't as glamorous as it seems. I had too many patients and too few resources as a new grad so I had to get out of the hospital. I do clinic work (and I get to travel!) and I like the patient flow better along with the bountiful resources to assist my patients.

[FLnurseprospect]

Also, why do you believe that because an RN does not work in a hospital they are not w well rounded nurse.

I never meant for it to sound like that. Of course I don't think you have to work at the hospital to be a well rounded nurse. I want that practice and experience because my clinical experiences through nursing school have been limited. There are only 4 hospitals in my area and 7-8 nursing programs. There's been a lot of competition for clinical sites/time and my program has supplemented (as did the others) a lot of that time in simulation lab. I like sim and it's helpful but I feel I need the hands on practice. I in no way think that RN skills are limited to all of tasks I mentioned or is what makes an RN an RN. I know there is much more to being an RN than that. Sorry about the misunderstanding.

[JBudd, MSN]

Curious as to why they want you to sign a contract this far ahead. Are they saying they will keep this position open for you until 6 months into the new year? Seems a long time to wait for a qualified person. If they really want you that badly, it could be worth it to them, but don't let yourself be rushed into anything. I would not sign a contract where more than 40 hours a week were required of me.

Can you talk to any other nurses employed by them? How are they treated?

[nutella, MSN, RN]

The part that I am not understanding fully is what your job would entail.

You write about home visits and on call but also about a physician's office and case management.

Can you elaborate more? The home visit part sounds more like home care nurse but you write about visits in facilities as well, which makes me think it could be a CM position for a Medicare Advantage physician's office. If this is what they are looking into - contracting with an insurance to get into Medicare Advantage it has some special implications including keeping the money together.

Is your employer a physician's office or is it some kind of larger employer? Why 50 or more hours? Are they starting up something?

Is it related to a Medicare Advantage plan?

You should consider the job itself, the pay, flexibility, your own situation and how that job would fit in, is there another longterm goal?

If your employer is looking into some start up thing it is important that you review that first in detail.

If you are hesitant to commit at this time, you can always say that you would consider it but you feel that you would bring "bad fortune" or similar onto you by signing anything before you have passed the NCLEX. Most people know that arguing with a superstitious person is not going to work...

[RNNPICU, BSN, RN]

I never meant for it to sound like that. Of course I don't think you have to work at the hospital to be a well rounded nurse. I want that practice and experience because my clinical experiences through nursing school have been limited. There are only 4 hospitals in my area and 7-8 nursing programs. There's been a lot of competition for clinical sites/time and my program has supplemented (as did the others) a lot of that time in simulation lab. I like sim and it's helpful but I feel I need the hands on practice. I in no way think that RN skills are limited to all of tasks I mentioned or is what makes an RN an RN. I know there is much more to being an RN than that. Sorry about the misunderstanding.

I was actually curious. It is always interesting to hear how different nurse perceive the role of a nurse. There are so many opportunities for a RN. It does sound like a lot of competition.

See what they can put together for you in the contract and go from there. You have the benefit of a little time.

[Guest957596]

A friend did this right out of school and passing NCLEX. She's happy.

[ThatBigGuy]

A bird in the hand...

I would want to have three questions answered soon:

1. How long is the contract?

2. Can we negotiate the hours closer to 40, or add incentives for OT?

3. When do you want this contract signed by?

Jobs for a new grad are hard to find, generally speaking. A satisfactory salary is even tougher to find. This opportunity has a lot of positives.

A two year contract with time-and-a-half for any hours over 40 per week would be quite an attractive offer. Looking for a bedside type job in order to keep your skills intact becomes much less stressful when you have a steady income and are continuing to build your resume with RN experience, regardless of actual job description.

[DeeAngel]

I find it odd that they are pressuring someone in your position to sign a contract and it would make me suspicious. They seem to be trying too hard to legally tie you down. IMHO I would absolutely never hire someone for a position of that nature right out of school, you NEED a well rounded med surg background for that position and several years working experience in a hospital on top of that. You need to know your stuff and for nurses the only way you get to know your stuff is through clinical working experience.

[hawaiicarl, BSN, RN]

I would take the contract if it seems fair. Often I evaluate nursing students during clinicals to determine if they are good candidates. Having been there for seven years in a support role, and again there as a student you are the perfect candidate for them, it is a no-brainer to offer you the position.

1. Your familiarity with their process, and charting, makes orientation needs minimal.

2. Your chemistry with current staff must be good for them to make the offer, they know what they are getting.

3. Your downtime on hire will also be minimal as you are already emplyed. I think the last I recall it was in the 10 000 dollar range just to vet potential new hires.

Few employers in this market will be as flexible as you have described them, which should make it a no brainer for you too.

Cheers

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

Contracts are negotiated between parties. What they are sending you is an offer and you can make a counter offer. Don't fear "the contract". All employer-employee relationships ought to have a contract so that everyone knows what is expected. If there is something about their proposal that you don't like or something missing, you just let them know.

I am not sure if this applies to your situation, but I definitely have seen people let wonderful opportunities pass them by because they thought they were too good to be true.

Sometimes really good things happen and hard work pays off.