Nurses with Contracts

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I accepted my first nursing job in December as a mom/baby nurse at a local hospital. I had to sign an 18 month contract. If I break it I have to pay back a pro rated amount. It's a total of $18000, if I leave now I'll have to pay back about $12k. They can fire me for any reason though. The contract only really applies to me and not my employer. I am miserable. I feel like a fish out of water and not equipped to handle this position. My preceptor hates me and basically tossed me aside after a week of orientation. I was suppose to be oriented for three months. I've been sticking it out and continue to remind myself most new nurses hate their first job. I had a particularly bad night at work one night and began looking online for other nursing jobs. To my surprise I found my dream job being listed. The job I went to nursing school for - dermatology nurse. Not only a dermatology nurse position (which is rare in my area) but a RN Clinical Coordinator for a dermatology practice. I applied and went through four rounds of interviews. Imagine my excitement when I was offered the position. Then came my call back to reality. That damn contract. What do I do? I understand it's not professional to leave a contract early. However, I can't be the first one to do it. If this other position wasn't so amazing I wouldn't leave my contract. Also the position is with a hospital that kind of part owns my current hospital, but I would have to start over and do orientation with them as if I were a new employee. The dermatology office has no idea that I signed a contract and I think they would not have any way of knowing unless I told them. I'm not sure that it would really matter to them. The supervisor told me I was the most qualified candidate they've had in ten years and they're thrilled they found me (I have ten years experience in dermatology and management). Any pointers or advice from those that have left a contract early? How do I explain the reason for my early departure in a way that will result in the least amount of anger? Is it true that the hospital would have to take me to court to get payment for the contract? Thanks!

You signed a contract knowing you would have to pay it back if you left early.

The only recourse you have is to go have a frank conversation with your manager and see if something can be worked out due to your misery.

However, you'll more likely to be taking out a personal loan to repay your contract. That will hurt for a couple years as you pay it off, but you'll hopefully feel better in your new position.

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Have an employment law attorney review your contract and advise you of your options. Yes they can sue you for breech of contract and garnish wages. If the same healthcare system this may be an issue

You've been a nurse for 6 months. The reason your current employer had you sign a contract with a penalty is twofold. First, they are investing a lot of money in you to train you and have you suddenly leave. Second, a contract with a large payback will make you think twice about leaving. Six months into your first job is nothing. They want their investment in you back.

If you want the other job, take it. Be aware that the new job may have as many pitfalls as the old one and less resources. You will be the clinical coordinator which could put you in a management position with relatively little nursing experience.

Your new employer likely won't care about the contract. That falls on you to pay off. Your old employer probably will not hire you back because you are a proven risk to leave. Tell them the truth. You found a position that better fits your needs and goals. Just make sure you really have the new job before you quit the old one.

Specializes in Critical Care.

Those new grad time commitment contracts are usually pretty airtight, it's unlikely you'll get out of paying the penalty for leaving early. It's not unheard of for hospitals to have no-compete agreements with affiliated medical groups, so if the hospital you currently work at "part owns" the dermatology practice that offered you a job then it's quite possible you could end up owing $12,000 and yet have no job at either place. I would discuss your situation with the dermatology practice prior to committing to that penalty to make sure you'll at least have a job there.

Has your employer lived up to their part of the contract? Usually not. If they haven't, then the contract isn't binding.

My sample size is small, but, in my experience these contracts are designed to scare you more then they are to be legally binding.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

LOL! I thought the title of this was Nurses with Contacts. After all there's a current thread titled Nurses with Glasses:roflmao:

Specializes in ER.

Never sign a contract that obligates you to someone, without spelling out their obligations to you. So if you want one preceptor for the orientation, a specific length of orientation, whatever, spell it out. Then they may or may not live up to their obligations, but it gives you something to refer to as to what they promised, and you get leverage to quit, or renegotiate without financial loss.

If you haven't accepted the new job, you might be able to negotiate them buying you out of your contract. They may be able to negotiate better terms. But have a lawyer look at it to see if it's enforceable to begin with.

Certainly have a lawyer review your contract. Paying 12K is not the biggest issue here.

" Also the position is with a hospital that kind of part owns my current hospital". What does that mean? It sounds like there could be a conflict of interest.

You must inform the dermatology place you will be breaking your contract to work for them, and assure there are no internal issues. Could be a bad thing, could be a good thing ( they pay your contract off), or could be no thing. But you need to know before you quit your current position.

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