Sign bonuses! Can you believe this?

bmatous · May 2, 2002

There are hospitals out there that do pay retention bonuses instead of recritment bonuses. The philosphy of that (and the literautre support) states that it works as both a rectruitment and retention tool. If you are interested and "re-locatable," look around - those places are out there!

uncRN · May 2, 2002

we're trying something new @ my facility.....a RETENTION bonus! every four months....this has been approved through 2003....and will be re-evaluated @ that time.....i've received two so far, they come in pretty handy...

kybluefan · May 2, 2002

I am a nurse at one of the Alliance hospitals mentioned in this thread. Yes, it is true that they are offering a 30K sign on bonus. This applies ONLY to Cath lab nurses. Nurses in other units are NOT welcome to transfer to cath lab. You have to be a new grad, existing cath lab nurse, or come from another hospital. They have to commit to a 3 year contract. It is not pro rated, so if they choose to leave within that time, they pay all of the bonus back. There are many strings attached such as not being able to decrease their hours, and not getting any type of dicsiplinary action (calling in sick too much) etc during the contract. I personally don't know what life is going to throw in my direction in the next 3 years, and would not think about signing a contract such as this. I would not want to be anyone's trained animal for 3 years....

Secondly, they made the mistake of not offering any bonus to tele nurses or ICU nurses....we are already short in all of these units. Where are these Cath patients going to go when they are done with their procedures? I know many nurses who are now looking for other jobs with hospitals and agencies just to get out of this enviornment. I for one am now interviewing with agencies...money is good and you are treated as staff in many of the local hospitals.

Thirdly, one of the hospitals involved in this bonus is a union hospital....they are renegotiating contracts for their nurses this summer. Good for them!!!! Now they have the proof that the hospital has 30K to throw around many times over...I bet those nurses get their share of the wealth in that institution. Sorry about the vent. I just wanted to get in my two cents and share some thoughts on what these huge bonuses do to the nurses who are excluded and to the patients who depend on these nurses to care for them.

BeeStrong · May 2, 2002

I took a position 10 years ago with an $8000 sign on bonus....they gave half at 6 months with state and federal taxes withheld; and the other half at the end o f one year. They did not treat me any differently than other nurses on the unit and as I needed the money at the time, I was happy with the arrangement. It all depends on the contract and your own circumstances. Read the fine print!! Bee:)

kitty2u2 · May 2, 2002

Sign-On Bonus????!!!!??? Try talking to contract nurses and agency nurses....sure.......they do travel and they receive huge bonuses, but think about what they have to go through......the worst shifts, floating, and do the regulars on the floor treat them fair??? Nope!!! You couldn't pay me enough to go through what they put up with.....

moonrose2u · May 2, 2002

I am furious!

that alliance hospitals will not pay their existing nurses a retention bonus, and will offer a new grad (sorry new nurses!) 30K over a seasoned employee. Where is the trust and loyalty factor come in? No wonder everyone is leaving alliance hospitals! Figured there was more to the story, as the ads and career fairs for their hospitals have been pretty intense.

I just thought that the Keriakes cardiac tower played a major role in this sign on bonus.

So, were ARE all these nurses going? :confused:

kewlnurse · May 2, 2002

Sign on and retention bonuses. WOW. The attitude in our place is, be glad you have a job, cuz layoffs may be coming.

Teshiee · May 2, 2002

Instead of giving all that money just pay a decent wage and treat nurses like the professionals they are and it wouldn't be any problems.

They are nothing but sucker bonuses! Beware! :rolleyes:

P_RN, ADN, RN · May 2, 2002

We actually DID get a retention bonus once. I think it was $50 per year you had worked there....anyway I got $500 after taxes...........THEN....they changed the dress code......you guessed it......new duds cost.....ta da.....$500.

Curlytop · May 2, 2002

Originally posted by sharann
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).

:chuckle RETENTION bonuses- yeah right!! Too much like right.

Of course, the "suits" high up in their offices could care less about retention when they can replace us with a new grad for less money.

OneChattyNurse · May 3, 2002

I took a $3,000 sign on bonus when I was hired at my current job. I received the whole amount on my first check. I actually received about half after taxes. I had to commit to 2 years and it will be up this October. If I had decided to leave before the 2 years was up, I would have had to pay it back, but it would have been pro-rated to the length of time that I had stayed. I know they are still offering this (to LPN's only) as LPN's are hard to find in the VA setting. It is a much different role than in the private sector.

I am on the recruitment/retention committee and there is talk of student loan forgiveness/repayment by the facility. I am hoping this will include current employees, as this would come in VERY handy!!

There is also a "nursing corps" that is being initiated with some of the Hospitals and high schools where students will be exposed to nursing and hopefully decide to pursue nursing as a career. I am not sure how this will work exactly, but hopefully it will spark some intrest in a new generation.

I certainly think a retention bonus would be the way to go. The recruitment bonus is ok...but the nurses with longevity deserve recognition as well.

Shari

NannaNurse · May 3, 2002

I just accepted a position with SSM Rehab/STL. I'll be starting out at $14+ an hour plus diff for nights and wknds. I'm also getting $7500 SOB, loan forgivness, Tuition reimb. up to $4160 per year, all medical, life/disability insurance and I am very happy and excited. I'm getting out of LTC...getting close to 'burn out'.

I really resent the statement that SOB are 'sucker bonuses'. That bonuse is not the deciding factor of accepting this position, but it is nice.

We do have a shortage, but it is still a competitive market.

Hey, we work our rears off.....take everything you can!! We deserve it!!!!!