Quitting the StaRN program?

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Hi all. I am a new grad on Med Surg Tele in a small town doing the StaRN program at an HCA hospital. I have a 10,000 contract for 2 years. 8000 for the cost of the didactic training, and a 2,000 bonus (which I have no received). My experience has been terrible and I want to quit. I come to work crying, and find myself crying and getting drained at work. I had 5 weeks of didactic training and a 7 week preceptorship that did not prepare me in the least. My preceptor had less than a year of experience himself. The preceptor even told me he was burnt out and if the staff wasn't so good to him, he would have quit a long time ago. I have been off orientation for almost two weeks and I'm struggling, missing things and feeling scared my license may be on the line pretty much every shift. I have a 7:1 ratio on night shift. I do my very best, but I feel so lost. My charge nurse gets frustrated with me and I get scared coming to her with my endless questions. I have had travel nurses tell me that my floor is terrible and if I could make it there I could make it anywhere. Most of our equipment is slow or doesn't work, we don't have computers on wheels, we are constantly fighting for vitals machines. I don't want to lose my dreams and my career over a bad start, but I have no idea how to address this. I'm already trying to apply for other jobs. Please be constructive. Thank you.

Specializes in Emergency Department.

We literally have all of the power

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Goinmyownway, I am a former HCA nurse in SC. Did you end up staying?

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On 11/10/2018 at 8:42 PM, BZ2SCS said:

Hello my dear,

I think I can help you with this one because I went through the same process as a new grad and it was the StarRN program for an HCA hospital in Florida. It was horrible and every day I felt like quitting and yes some days I felt like My license was at risk but I did not quit. I never started a day without praying because that was very important to me. The contract I signed was for the same amount of money as yours and many of the new nurses quit before the two years and they never pursue them for repayment (not even one of them) I remember some people quit after 3 months and did not have to repay. I stayed for one year until I got something better , I did not repay a penny and no one called me for reimbursement. Instead, the director was begging me to stay per diem and I said no. The contract is just to scare you, you don't even need a lawyer to sort this out. I can bet you they are paying you less than other people who were not part of that program and during the training they only pay $15/hour which is very unfair( so that's their reimbursement). As far as the charge nurse don't let her scare you keep asking her questions or find more experience nurses to help you. NEVER do something if you are unsure ALWAYS ask first. The first thing I did when I started as a new nurse, I got a malpractice insurance with the NSO and I still have it. I would say don't quit , try to give it one year or at least six months because it will look good on your resume , don't worry about the contract. Just let me know if you have more questions. Good luck!

I would love to speak with you more, I am a staRN that left my contract early and they are trying to get repayment :(

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On 3/18/2019 at 10:17 PM, eliz84c said:

I would love to speak with you more, I am a staRN that left my contract early and they are trying to get repayment :(

Are you with HCA? Because I was with HCA hospital. Am not sure how to even inbox you in allnurses.com. If you find out let me know how I can chat with you let me know. I never paid back and they never pursue me nor my other colleagues.

1
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Yes, I was at an HCA, they sent me a letter 2 weeks ago asking for $2,500 dollars! My email is my username on here at aol.com, I'd love to talk with you through email.

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On 4/4/2019 at 5:21 PM, eliz84c said:

Yes, I was at an HCA, they sent me a letter 2 weeks ago asking for $2,500 dollars! My email is my username on here at aol.com, I'd love to talk with you through email.

I work at an HCA facility and one of the STARN employees in the cohort from last summer didn’t even make it 8 months. The hospital sent her a bill for 7,000$. Our contract is 10,000$ prorated over 2 years, no sign-on bonus.

I think some of it depends on the hospital you’re in.

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Specializes in Emergency Department, TNCC, ENCC.
On 11/10/2018 at 8:42 PM, BZ2SCS said:

Hello my dear,

I think I can help you with this one because I went through the same process as a new grad and it was the StarRN program for an HCA hospital in Florida. It was horrible and every day I felt like quitting and yes some days I felt like My license was at risk but I did not quit. I never started a day without praying because that was very important to me. The contract I signed was for the same amount of money as yours and many of the new nurses quit before the two years and they never pursue them for repayment (not even one of them) I remember some people quit after 3 months and did not have to repay. I stayed for one year until I got something better , I did not repay a penny and no one called me for reimbursement. Instead, the director was begging me to stay per diem and I said no. The contract is just to scare you, you don't even need a lawyer to sort this out. I can bet you they are paying you less than other people who were not part of that program and during the training they only pay $15/hour which is very unfair( so that's their reimbursement). As far as the charge nurse don't let her scare you keep asking her questions or find more experience nurses to help you. NEVER do something if you are unsure ALWAYS ask first. The first thing I did when I started as a new nurse, I got a malpractice insurance with the NSO and I still have it. I would say don't quit , try to give it one year or at least six months because it will look good on your resume , don't worry about the contract. Just let me know if you have more questions. Good luck!

Hello, I was just offered a position through the StarRN program in South Florida. I was told by some people to run from this hospital system. would you says you agree or is the program worth it? thank you

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15 hours ago, sflanurse16 said:

Hello, I was just offered a position through the StarRN program in South Florida. I was told by some people to run from this hospital system. would you says you agree or is the program worth it? thank you

I would say take it to get the experience because after one year you can move on to something better. As a new nurse it is hard to find something at a hospital so take the opportunity just to get the experience you need, you can apply to another hospital after one year of experience, you will learn a lot through the program, I think it’s worth it . But Yes they are right HCA hospitals are very bad.

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Specializes in Emergency Department, TNCC, ENCC.

Thank you for your time!

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I disagree.. I say RUN! Are they making you sign a contract? I was a StaRN at HCA in South Carolina for a year and a half and it was absolutely terrible. I left early, it is not worth it. There are plenty of jobs, even for new nurses. Feel free to send me an email at eliz84c at aol and I would be happy to talk to you more about it.

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Specializes in Emergency Department, TNCC, ENCC.

yes they are. I will send you an email now, also from aol.

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On 4/4/2019 at 6:21 PM, eliz84c said:

Yes, I was at an HCA, they sent me a letter 2 weeks ago asking for $2,500 dollars! My email is my username on here at aol.com, I'd love to talk with you through email.

Did you end up having to pay? What state are you in? I recently just left HCA and am waiting to see if they will ask for repayment. How long did it take for them to send you the letter?

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