Sign bonuses! Can you believe this?

colleen10 · Apr 17, 2002

I just wanted to say - coming from my Human Resources background - that money is an awful way to get or keep employees. They might do it but eventually realize that it's not worth the money and leave any way. If they do stay, do you really want someone who is working there just for that money?

Granted, we all work for money but if it's absolutely the only reason someone is there they often don't make the best employees.

JMP · Apr 17, 2002

As a canadian critical care RN I have heard plenty about these sign on bonus payments........but......... makes me leary.......as stated before, about working conditions, stings attached etc.

I much prefer being rewarded for good work, attendance, commitment to excellence.etc........ than being paid for two feet and a heart beat.

What other experiences do people have with these types of bonus payments? I am just curious. I work in a heavily unionized enviroment, and nothing like this is happening here......yes we have a nursing shortage........but we also have an ICU with one to one pt ratio's ( for the most part unless someone is extubated and waiting for the step down unit bed) and excellent pay......... I am one year out of school and in May will be making 22.61 an hour.

Lots to consider.

sharann, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2002

I've heard and seen alot about these sign-on bonuses. Personally, I would not accept one because I don't belive in them. I may be naive and a lousy buisiness-person (as well as a poor speller in this case), but I wonder why these places (mine included recently) don't put this money into RETENTION bonuses. If they keep their staff happy, maybe they wouldn't have to keep running these expensive propositions and ads. It cheapens nursing (IMHO).

Brownms46 · Apr 18, 2002

I know a nurse who took a sign on bonus...and didn't spend it. She just put it on top of her refrigerator...and let it sit there. They also took about all kinds of stuff out of this check. One MONTH into the contract...after getting slammed every day with the worst train wrecks possible...she handed them their check back...and walked!

Retention bonuses...a pat on the back for work well done...are you kidding???? That would make too much sense... :confused:

l.rae · Apr 18, 2002

I worked at ond of the Health Alliance hospitals about 2 years ago in the ER. I wouldn't go back for thiry K. Trust me, there is a reason. I just shot off a letter to the editor in our local paper regarding this. The way I see it, they ar up a *^#@ creek without any oars or a boat! lrae

Teshiee · Apr 18, 2002

Desperate times means for desperate measures anything to lure nurses to their fold. Before nursing sign on bonuses became so exuberant I accepted a job for 4k and didn't care about the bonus I was not a happy camper there at all. I resigned 3 months later. It is simply bait to get you in there then they try to make you dedicate certain amount of years at their hospital. At this point in my nursing career there isn't enough bonus money to make me work anywhere fulltime. Need more than that to get nurses back to the work force! Besides you don't get it in one lump sum they make you wait for that change!

pebbles, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2002

Two questions:

1)Places that offer the sign-on bonuses - can you negotiate terms so that you can get hired there *without* having to take the bonus, so you can try the place out without being under their thumb?

2) Anybody have good experience with sign-on bonuses, or does the fact that a place is offereing a bonus mean that it will generally be a hell-hole or treat you poorly?

moonrose2u · Apr 18, 2002

i would think, however i am not a recruiter and do not play one on tv, that sign on bonuses are your option. indeed, i accepted a position once and did not take the bonus...it was a good choice as i resigned 6 months later.

l.rae: i will be watching the enquirer for your editorial!

Lunatichick · Apr 18, 2002

Never mind, stupid question! :imbar

shay · Apr 19, 2002

I got offered 50k sign on bonus recently.

babsRN · Apr 19, 2002

We regularly offer sign on bonuses for new RNs, and last year doubled the bonus offered to get nurse in the door. It's hard to retain nurses without recruiting new ones as well to ease the staffing shortages. So, this bonus is only one piece of a very big picture. We also offer retention bonuses under the title of a longevity bonus, given at regular intervals. As managers, we are held accountable for our retention abilities and this is written into our annual evaluations. Our hospital administrators regulary meet with a sampling of nurses who are new to the organization as well as the tenured ones, interviewing them to ensure their needs are being met by their management team. Beleive me...we get that feedback and are held to a high standard to correct issues that come forward.

As previously mentioned...sometimes the downside to bonuses is the tax bite...but thats our govt's fault not the hospital's...the tax rate for bonuses is 35%, set by the federal govt.

moonrose2u · Apr 19, 2002

babs rn: could you elaborate more about the retention bonuses? is it considered a bonus? does the nurse sign an agreement as well? how is it calculated? on seniority?