OR SIGN ON BONUS

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Med/surg/tele/OR.

Hello all I am in a huge dilemma. I recently last December signed a contract for a sign on bonus for 10,000 dollars. I was told today that my job has been eliminated at my hospital however they have offered me a position at their sister facility which I do not want to take. Now they are telling me that if I do not take this position that I will have to begin repayment of the bonus. I am worried about repayment how does this typically work? Can they just send it to collections if I do not repay in the time specified or can they take my nursing license? I just need some friendly advice.

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Specializes in Peri-op/Sub-Acute ANP.

Knowing what is "typical" won't help you. How the hospital will proceed in your case will solely depend on the contract you signed with them. What does it say about early termination? It sounds as if your contract was for a two year period from what you have indicated. Does you contract indicate that repayments for default will be pro-rated? If so you might only owe them $5,000 rather than the whole $10,000.

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I would read your contract over and consult a lawyer with any questions. I doubt they could take your license for not repaying, but they most likely would turn you into collections.

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

They can't take your license.

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

This is why anyone should be cautious of a sign on bonus that is that large; in the computer field, when you were offered a bonus that large, the standard thing that would happen is they would "defund your position" shortly before the time limit was up, and somehow you always either didn't get the money (for a work x time for y money) or had to repay it if you'd already gotten it. Then computers moved to pretty much just "you get the money after x months" and something always managed to happen in month x-1..

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Specializes in ER, OR, PACU, TELE, CATH LAB, OPEN HEART.

Read your contract. You should be able to collect the protion of the bonus for the year you worked. Do not let this employer intimidate you. What was their reason for eliminating your postition?

GET THE TO AN ATTORNEY POST HASTE!!!!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Never listen to what someone says, only look at what's in writing because that is what's legally binding. There should be a section in your contract regarding a situation of this nature.

If you can't find it, it's vague, or you have a problem reading/deciphering what it says, see an attorney.

And update with what's happening :)

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Ugh, that's an ugly situation. I doubt that in any state they could pull your license; most likely you'll end up repaying it somehow. But be careful you don't step on any toes; especially if its a big / dominant healthcare system. You could easily end up on the wrong side of HR and need to move a city over to get a fair shot at a job, especially being early in your career. I'm kinda surprised they thought there would still be enough demand to need a $10k sign on bonus two years ago; by then the market for nurses had already started to tank. Good luck...

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Get legal advice. A contract must have equity between the parties (consideration). You not only performed to your ability and agreement, you also gave up other opportunities for that job, all of which is why employers pay a bonus. You may be due a larger part if they failed to perform. It can’t all be one sided for them to demand a repayment. At the end of the day the most that can happen is civil, they can’t hurt your license. I’m not an attorney, but I have tended bar…. :{)

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