New Grad confused about stipend and 2 year contract.

Published

Hello everyone, This is my first time posting but I come on this site often for advice. My question is regarding a job I was offered. When the position was offered to me, I was told that the starting pay for new graduates is $24/hr and that they offer shift differentials for night and weekend shift. Then when I went to turn in my paperwork, I was told that the pay is actually a base of $10/hr and that a stipend will be added to each check to make the total pay equal approximately $24/hr. If I do not stay with the hospital for 2 years, I have to pay back the total stipend amount I had been paid. I am a new graduate so I don't know if this is common practice or if it is bad practice. I know that many of my friends that got jobs at other hospitals did not have to sign a contract and receive just a regular hourly rate. I'm not sure what to think of the situation. Can anyone give me some advice about this? I would greatly appreciate any info from anyone, especially if they have this type of contract.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB.

Yikes! That is roughly $24k a year of stipend money! I signed a 2yr contract stating that I would pay back what they are spending to educate me as a new grad but that is $15k total. I think what they are asking isn't good.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

Yikes. That sounds like a tax nightmare. Not sure if common practice but seems pretty deceitful

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Does your family have a lawyer who could look this over? What happens if you get fired? Do you still have to pay it back, that's what I'd be most scared of.

I personally would not be interested in signing a 50,000 contract.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So the longer you stay your contract is increasing... It's usually the opposite.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Run. Away.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Hell no. Run far & run fast!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Educator.

This does not sound good and I am no lawyer. Keep looking - this is not the job for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think this is a bad idea. Places that do this are sometimes understaffed and make it look attractive but it turns out not to be then you owe them money. 10/hr is not livable and not appropriate for the amount of work you will be doing. Even 24 seems low to me. Move on.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

Sounds like indentured servitude. Yay, America!

It's probably unenforceable. Meaning a court would never make you pay it.

But here's the problem, if you accept the job and sign the contract, even if it is unenforceable you are agreeing to work for people who would like you to believe that you are a slave. Even if they can't legally enslave you and you could literally walk away without ever having to pay them a dime, they still want you to think that you have to stay or else. (Probably, most people fully believe this as our education on our own civil rights is practically non existent.) What is that work environment going to be like?

So, how do you feel about that?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.

Please listen to everyone above. Run away, quickly.

Or if you're chubby like me and don't run, speed walk.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

$52,416

That is what you owe if you leave. That is beyond ridiculous.

Feel free to laugh in their face when you decline their bullcrap offer.

And tell us what amoral facility is perpetrating these shenanigans!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion