New Hire Bonus Question

fishinNbanjo · Jul 10, 2006

Well, I just got a 4,000 dollar sign on bonus, they actually call it a school stipen, but you get the point. I get 500 up front, and 3500 after a year, not too bad in my opinion.

NiceShot · Jul 10, 2006

Thanks for the reply. I thought my post was too nosey since nobody seemed to want to reply. Truly appreciate it. Good stuff to get an idea about...thanks.

smilin_gp · Jul 10, 2006

I got a 5000 sign on. I think this was unusual for hospitals in the area though. Most places were offering tuition reimbursement though.

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jul 10, 2006

5G's plus a critical care course. 1/2 upfront, 1/2 in 6 months. That will be right before Christmas!

mtngrl, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2006

Someone once told me the good places to work don't need to offer sign on bonuses. Now, the awful place I worked did, but they were very vague about it. They kept saying they had to get in contact with the person that handles the bonuses, and they didn't even know for sure how much it was. So I didn't ever sign up for it and I am sooo glad I didn't because I quit soon after. Just be careful when taking bonuses.

barbyann · Jul 10, 2006

There are three bonus types I'm aware of.

1. Sign on bonus...you get up front

2. Retention bonus...after a length of service

3. School reimbursement bonus...to be determined

I paid big time taxes on 1 and 2. I have heard that the school reimbursement bonus is tax-free because it is not considered income. Anyone know more about this for OP?

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2006

Get it in writing! I have had some fellow nurses get this offer and some management change occured or something and they were denied their bonuses because "we can't afford to do that". They didn't have that as a part of the contract or in writing, so they didn't get theirs.

Just make sure it is in your contract! :)

Me personally...never had one.

Sheri257 · Jul 10, 2006

Get it in writing!

Yeah ... definitely.

Just my experience but, the hospitals that are offering bonuses are also the worst places to work. And, of course, they have lower pay also.

I personally prefer better pay and benefits to start.

:typing

rnurse2b · Jul 10, 2006

I just graduated with my RN, the hospital I had been working at as a LVN offered me 4,000 sign on bonus, plus tution reimbursement. As an above poster stated the government took a HUGE chunk out of the sign on bonus, but the reimbursement is tax-free.

Also, the hospital across town if offering a 10,000 sign on bonus for 3 years and no reimbursement, but they also have an ENORMOUS turn over rate. I'm content to stay where I'm at. One of my classmates went to work for the other hospital and is considering leaving only after a month. (Just something for you to consider while looking).

Good Luck!!!!

RN and Mommy · Jul 10, 2006

$5,000 sign on bonus for the night shift only. I didn't get it since I accepted a day position.

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jul 10, 2006

Someone once told me the good places to work don't need to offer sign on bonuses. Now, the awful place I worked did, but they were very vague about it. They kept saying they had to get in contact with the person that handles the bonuses, and they didn't even know for sure how much it was. So I didn't ever sign up for it and I am sooo glad I didn't because I quit soon after. Just be careful when taking bonuses.

Of course, when your are interviewing for a position, remember that YOU are interviewing THEM as well. I made sure to ask about retention, turnover, being called off, OT and such. Personally, the place I chose pays $4 more an hour for new grads than any other place in town. I was a little skeptic, but when I was in a crunch last week, everybody showed how much teamwork really meant to them and helped me without me even needing to ask. In addition, I love my manager. Oh, and when the hospital really needs nurses, they pay triple time.