New Grad Program - 3 year commitment?

Ugh, It seems to be the norm these days. Initially, I thought "no way" to anything over a year, but I've become so desperate that I would sign on for three.

Honestly, I don't think it's worth it. If it were a full-time spot, I'd say go for it. What's in this deal for you? For 3 years, they'll have you work whatever hours they want to give you, offer you no benefits or retirement. Once again, what's in it for you?

I have a few thoughts for you.

It's not necessarily too long of a time. One of the hospitals I applied to had a three year commitment. When it came to scheduling the actual panel interview after I aced the phone interview, I'd fortunately found something else so I could turn them down. Two years seems to be the standard, as it was the length of the commitment for every single other new grad program I applied for, so three is a little unusual but not unheard of. However, not offering you benefits is ridiculous. If they at least made you full time staff with benefits, it might be worth it, but as it is in your situation I would be running away very quickly!

Another catch with the "3 years" those people are asking for is that most of the new grad programs I saw were based on 2-3 years' worth of HOURS. That's a really big difference, and it's one you need to make sure you clarify if you get offered the job. The one I accepted made you commit to 3744 hours after orientation (36 hours a week X 52 weeks X 2 years), so just be careful. If they are asking you for three years' worth of hours but not promising you a full time job, it could take a very long time for you to finish off the contract! I can't imagine any hospital actually doing this because it seems so inhumane, but you never know.

A third piece - what do they value their new grad program at? What are you going to have to pay back if you leave, and is the pay going to be prorated based on number of hours you've worked? If it's only a couple thousand dollars and they're the only one offering you a job, it might be worth it anyway for the experience since it's so difficult to get a job as a new grad these days. You just might want to be very frugal and save as much as you can when you do get hours so you have the funds to get out if you find a better job. Now, if it's a huge amount of money ($10,000 and up), it's probably not a good idea to take it.

Hope that helps! :)

Thank you for your thoughts. Human Resources did a poor job explaining the job on the phone, but I got a better understanding in the interview. The general idea of the program is they train you (full time paid training) for 10 weeks with a preceptor and then you become a per diem staff. I have to be available to work at least two shifts per week. There is no contract, so I can leave any time I find a full time job. If I stay there are yearly bonuses and pay increases. They are hoping the majority will apply for permanent positions with them, but even if that doesn't happen I'll have the acute care experience that most employers want. Even though I'm not sure how the per diem part will work out for me, I couldn't pass up the chance to be trained in the hospital. I accepted the job offer and will start next month.