Asterias Aureus

That's cool...I am sure that there are a lot of hospitals out there that DO use a lot of J&J products. I am just saying that MY hospital doesn't use a lot of them, we use a lot of other brands, that's all. Maureen

Couldn't agree more! Hahahahahahaha. Maureen PS. My hospital uses little, if any Johnson and Johnson products.

Hi Sandra... Thanks for the reassurance! I know sometimes it is hard to tell the tone people intend over the computer, so maybe I was being extra sensitive to some of the posts--especially since this is a new career for me and sometimes I even doubt myself. The doubts are more about abilities than contracts, but the encouragement is still nice! Maureen

I realize that working in a place where a new grad has to stay for an entire year doesn't work for everyone, but I just wanted to bring a different point of view to this thread. The hospital I work at is expanding, perhaps that is why the contract is in place. I don't feel like I am being taken advantage of at all. I really enjoy where I work, and if they feel the need to have me sign a contract, hey, that's fine with me. I didn't make this decision on a whim. I really thought it through. I am not defending my career path to anyone, but wanted to offer my opinion as someone who actually works at a hospital where a "new grad contract" is in place. Are there others out there who have been in this position and had a bad experience? I didn't notice any posts on this thread saying that they did. I don't know of anyone in my hospital who has had an issue with a contract or had to leave early. My orientation is a year long program in an ICU, including extra classes that other hospitals might require the employee to foot the bill. Many hospitals don't even let new grads near an ICU. In exchange for all of this learning experience at no cost to myself except for a year working there, sounds great to me. Again, I just wanted to share my point of view with someone who was (still is?) considering working in a hospital where he or she would be obligated to maintain employment for a year. I realize that my point of view is not popular, based on the amounts of posts that encouraged kurlykay to run from this hospital as fast as kurlykay could, but I figured it was fair to give my point of view. Also, in one post it said "Look over any paperwork that you received and signed, especially your job offer letter. See if it is mentioned anywhere. They can't spring this on you after the fact and expect you to accept it. I would be tempted to say to them 'Do you want people stupid enough to sign this caring for patients at this hospital?'" I really hope I am taking this out of context, because I am slightly offended that I would be called stupid! (Especially by someone who doesn't even know me!) So basically to those out there considering employment with a facility that requires a contract, just be sure you can see yourself staying for a year. If you can (maybe even picture yourself staying for many years!) then go for it. If you are unable to make the commitment then don't do it. Maureen

Hi Everyone... I was browsing and found this thread. I just graduated in May and am working in a hospital where new graduates are required to sign a contract staying that they will stay at the hospital for a year after completing graduation. If the new grad does not, then he or she will have to pay the hospital for the cost of orienting and teaching. I am not sure of the exact cost (it is somewhere in my contract which I have filed away!) but I do know that the amount varies depending on the amount of time the new nurse has spent at the hospital. For example, if the cost to educate a new graduate is $1,200 (just to make calculations easier) and the new graduate has worked at the hospital for ten months when he or she decides to leave, then the nurse would owe the hospital $200. So it is not a completely unfair situation. Also, if a nurse (new or otherwise) is unhappy working in a certain unit, the nurse recruiter and human resources does everything they can to put the nurse onto a unit where he or she will be happy--they don't want to lose staff. My hospital is by no means a "hole", and I am very happy to be working there. I even turned down a position at a major university medical center to work there. Besides, I want to build my resume by working at one place for a long time. I plan on working there until I graduate with my Master's Degree. It is only a year that they expect me to stay...less of a (time) commitment than most nursing programs! Just wanted to share my point of view.... Maureen

Hi... I just graduated from phase one of the ETP (Entry To Practice) program at Columbia in May. It began last June and went through the beginning of May. It was a lot of work, especially in the beginning when we had the most classes and a lot of new information is being taught. It wasn't unbearable in my opinion, although a lot of work and study may be necessary to be very successful. I also don't have kids or a family that I have to take care of; if you do, that could factor into everything. You might not get to see your friends as much as you like, but it is only a short amount of time. I worked per diam as an ICU tech (a job I held before starting school) occasionally--maybe one weekend a month (two eight hour shifts) and during holiday breaks. I preferred to have most of my time free for school assignments and RELAXING! Don't forget school can be stressful and it is important to take time for yourself to unwind and do things you like to do. I was also lucky to form friendships with the other people in my clinical group--great people who understood what I was going through and were so helpful!!! I hope I helped answer some of your questions, although I went to a different school from the ones you listed...Good luck with your applications!!!!!!!!!!!

I think Cornell is a great place....I did some of my clinicals there and it was my favorite hospital out of all the ones we were placed. Everyone I came into contact with was so professional. Good luck! Maureen