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hi

im a new grad nurse im currently working at pcu. i decided to get a strong base in nursing before reaching icu, but after experiencing 6 weeks by myself working with pt ratio of 8-1. im going crazy! i asked everytime i need help, but the rest of staff is busy too. i just feel in bad shapei knew the beggining was going to be intense but this is ridiculus. i have compared my type of job and the max ratio is 6-1. i feel unsafe everytime i get to work. i love nursing but this experience is questioning my carrer goals and inspiration.

i got trick into signing a contract with this hospital that suppost to have a "great education program" :angryfireanyways ! the new grad program was one week and then 6 weeks of preceptorship. right now i just want to run away and try something else l/d or or in a different hospital setting, but they dont take new grads. i dont know what to do, but i need to make a healthy change asap. any suggestions ?:uhoh3:

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Specializes in Dialysis, Home Care, Hospice.

Can you explain what you had to sign in the contract. Is it that you would work in the hospital for a certain amount of time?? I think your ratio is ridiculous and an experienced nurse would have a difficult time. No wonder you are questioning your decision.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

If you signed a contract, what was their part of the bargain? Are they living up to it? It sounds brutal for anyone, no matter how much experience you have, and to be expected to carry that kind of load when you are new is absurd. Can you change units? Can you dispute the contract?

I am so sorry you are dealing with this...good luck. Keep us updated.

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Hi thanks for your words Well its a 24 months for $8000 sign in bonus ( $4000 first year 4000 second year, but i could return this without problem) and they said because of the preceptorship of 6 weeks and the EKG course if i leave earlier i have to paid $5000 back. Thats the catch! :angryfire. I cant not change units until 6 months in there but since Im new its not easy to change. Even in Med surge the ratios are high! 10 -1 night time. Even if i have to paid I think Im living when i find something better. When I finish school I never understood the difference between profit and non profit hospitals, but believe me after this experience in profit hospital I got the picture. I hope i can find something soon:uhoh3:. Thanks again

If you signed a contract, what was their part of the bargain? Are they living up to it? It sounds brutal for anyone, no matter how much experience you have, and to be expected to carry that kind of load when you are new is absurd. Can you change units? Can you dispute the contract?

I am so sorry you are dealing with this...good luck. Keep us updated.

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thanks for your words!

yes, 24 months for 8000 sign no bonus ( 4000 first year and 4000 second) and for education they gave me like basic EKG and preceptorship I will have to paid back $5000. I hope I find something better even if i have to paid the 5K back!

Can you explain what you had to sign in the contract. Is it that you would work in the hospital for a certain amount of time?? I think your ratio is ridiculous and an experienced nurse would have a difficult time. No wonder you are questioning your decision.
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Specializes in ICU/PCU/Infusion.

You mean you have to pay the 5000 for just the precepting and the EKG class? I'm confused. Is the $5K part of the sign on bonus?

You're right. 8-1 is crazy for a PCU. Does your floor have drips, drains, restraints, tube feeds, etc etc? That's crazy!

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

Oh My God!! You work for EVIL people. That is the most absurd situation I have ever heard. I can certainly understand the draw of the bonus, but then of course they have you trapped. It still may be worth consulting a lawyer over, if the pay back numbers are not stipulated in the contract, I would bet a good lawyer could help you. I am soooo sorry you are having to deal with this. Keep us posted.

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No the sign in is 8k and the 5k is for the "education part " yes we have drips like nitro up to 50 mcg, cardizem, and stuff like that, tube feeds yes, no so much of drains just some chole, they try the new restrain free enviroment as much as they can so they have sitters. but we get baker act pts any ways a little of everything. It IS crazy !

You mean you have to pay the 5000 for just the precepting and the EKG class? I'm confused. Is the $5K part of the sign on bonus?

You're right. 8-1 is crazy for a PCU. Does your floor have drips, drains, restraints, tube feeds, etc etc? That's crazy!

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Specializes in Transplant, homecare, hospice.

Go with your gut. I know several nurses who broke a contract because of the very same reason. They felt unsafe and had too many patients. I would find out what would happen if you broke your contract and then I would probably look elsewhere. Always go with your gut unless you can work this out some how.

Just my humble opinion.

Best wishes with your choice.

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8:1 on PCU is insane.

A very wise travel nurse once told me if a hospital is offering big bucks (sign on, completion, whatever) to entice you to work for them, you need to step back and ask yourself, "Why?"

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Hi thanks for your words Well its a 24 months for $8000 sign in bonus ( $4000 first year 4000 second year, but i could return this without problem) and they said because of the preceptorship of 6 weeks and the EKG course if i leave earlier i have to paid $5000 back. Thats the catch! :angryfire.
How much of your sign on bonus have you already received? Most places split it up over the year, rather than give the entire amount all at once. And does the contract you signed when you were hired specifically state you have to pay back an additional $5000 (over and above the sign-on bonus received) should you quit before a certain date?

I can see where you'd have to pay back whatever portion of the sign-on you've already received, but the 5K? That sounds like BS to me.

Ask for an itemized statement describing exactly where the costs of your "education" totaled $5000. Then take that and a copy of your contract to an employment or contract attorney. Seriously. I'm betting that business about the $5000 wouldn't stand up, because the "education" is something the hospital MUST provide to all employees on an ongoing basis.

They're full of it.

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Hi thanks for your words Well its a 24 months for $8000 sign in bonus ( $4000 first year 4000 second year, but i could return this without problem) and they said because of the preceptorship of 6 weeks and the EKG course if i leave earlier i have to paid $5000 back. Thats the catch! :angryfire. I cant not change units until 6 months in there but since Im new its not easy to change. Even in Med surge the ratios are high! 10 -1 night time. Even if i have to paid I think Im living when i find something better. When I finish school I never understood the difference between profit and non profit hospitals, but believe me after this experience in profit hospital I got the picture. I hope i can find something soon:uhoh3:. Thanks again

I would say. "I'll see you in court." I would report the facility to the State department of health for unsafe patient care conditions. they would drop the case in a New York minute because it would cost them far more to recoup the 5000 than they could regain. As Emmanuel put it: The hospitals must provide trainnig to new employees. In other words its a fixed cost of doing business so they are truly full of beans. Thanks for sharing the wisdom of "look before you leap."

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