Offered job while still an extern

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2015

The contract is to ensure that the hospital does not lose any money on their investment (read: you).

If a five-figure sum of money is spent training and onboarding you, the hospital will not begin to see a return on investment until you've been employed there a couple of years. They want to see a return on investment.

If, like many new nurses, you resign after one year of amassing valuable acute care experience, it will be you who comes out on top. It will be the hospital that comes out on the losing end of the bargain.

mzrainydayz, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2015

Seems like a great opportunity. I say if you like that hospital accept the job offer and sign the contract. It's hard as a new grad to find a job. Consider yourself lucky because what if you turn down this opportunity and apply elsewhere and don't get hired, you may regret it. Wishing you the best on NCLEX and your nursing career.

ladyvp05 · Aug 2, 2015

I got a job offer my 1st semester of my adn program. They give me a $2000 scholarship each semester but I had to sign a 2 year contract. After i graduate i can pursue my bsn and still get my $2000 per semester scholarship plus $5200 per year for tuition reimbursement. It was worth it for me to sign the contract.

Everline · Aug 2, 2015

I think contracts are fairly common, especially for new grads. Three years is a bit steep for me, though. I would have to be certain that not only could I handle the job, but that I would like it and work with great people. You say you like where you work so that is a good indicator that you think you fit in well with the culture of the unit. That first year of being a nurse can be tough, though. So take everything into consideration. Best wishes and congrats on the job offer!

NOADLS · Aug 2, 2015

I've seen those contracts before. You might hear that it is a 3 year deal, but if you read the fine print, it will more than likely say that if you back out, you'll have to pay them a pro-rated amount based on the amount you've put in relative to what they've paid towards your education. Read the fine print.

I would also like to point out that the days where 100% of the graduating class had job offers before graduating are long gone. Saying no to this (barring ridiculous working conditions) wouldn't be an option if I were in your spot.

calivianya, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2015

Definitely take it! Most of the hospitals around here offer 2-3 year contracts and don't pay any tuition reimbursement at all, you just have to pay them money if you quit on top of paying student loans. Getting tuition reimbursement for a program you attend before you even start working at that facility seems pretty rare now. That is a one in a million opportunity.

FloatRN19 · Aug 2, 2015

I would jump on that in a second.

walkingdeadhead · Aug 2, 2015

My old hospital makes the new grads sign a 4 year contract or pay $8000 and it isn't prorated. So if you work 3 years you still owe $8000. They don't offer tuition reimbursement

icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2015

There are many threads on here by new grads who signed these contracts, never received the promised unit, or the residency and training or even a copy of the contract. There are many hospitals who don't make much of an investment in new grads but call it a residency.

There are probably just as many new grads who received a top notch residency at a teaching hospital but did not feel the need to talk about it in an online forum.

This is something that I would investigate very thoroughly before making a three year commitment. If it is a true residency, a three year commitment is not unreasonable in order to become skilled and credentialed in a Critical Care area or the OR etc. You have to work somewhere anyway during that time.

richardgecko · Aug 3, 2015

As a person who recently bought out of a new grad employment contract, I highly suggest that you investigate the contract thoroughly and decide if the contract, the unit, the facility, and the organization is best for you.