what about these sign on bonuses???

DDRN4me · Jul 31, 2008

I would be wary...why cant they get help??? :rolleyes:

allnurses Guide · Jul 31, 2008

That is what I have heard too. Lots of offers of them in the DFW area but my GFs who are RNs say be careful, be suspicious, check the turnover rate, patient ratios etc. Protect your license. Chances are you will run. Fast.

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2008

It's very simple: The amount of the sign-on bonus is inversely proportional to the quality of the facility and associated patient safety and job satisfaction.

mytoon38 · Jul 31, 2008

I have to agree with the other posters. I made the mistake of taking the 1st installment of a sign-on bonus, and had to pay it back because I wanted to retain my license!!!!! You know the old saying "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is", well that was true in my case! Just make sure you investigate any hospital before you take their bonus!

purple_rose_3 · Jul 31, 2008

I took a sign-on bonus (3,000) from a very good hospital in Fort Worth and had to sign on for a year. I had no problems!

vashtee, RN · Jul 31, 2008

That is what I have heard too. Lots of offers of them in the DFW area but my GFs who are RNs say be careful, be suspicious, check the turnover rate, patient ratios etc. Protect your license. Chances are you will run. Fast.

How does one check the turnover rate and patient ratios? I mean, I am assuming the person interviewing will give the best-case scenario. Is there a way to find out the truth?

And what would one consider a suspiciously-generous sign on bonus?

NurseyPoo7 · Jul 31, 2008

I got a 3k sign on bonus, but I have to stay with them for 1.5yr and the sign on is divided -- 1k after 1 month, 1k after 6 months, and 1k after 18 months.

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Jul 31, 2008

i took a 5K sign on bonus for 1 year and just got my final payment... although uncle sam took his share....

Cathlabnurse46 · Jul 31, 2008

I just took a $10,000 sign on 2 1/2 years ago. I get the last installment ($5,000) in Feb. This was because my hospital was starting a new open heart program and need experenced nurses. You had to have over 15 years in critical care and work in the CV service department. It has been no problem. In fact I was just returning to this hospital after being away for 9 years (I own 2 car washes). I since transfered back to the cath lab were I worked before I left in 97'.

But, when I was a traveler, I look for my next assignment based on 3 factors; highest pay, higest bonus, where I wanted to go next. I then started to ask other travelers about the hospital with the higest bonus. They "usually" had a big problem. Years ago, it was Chapel Hill NC offering a $5000 sign on for a 13 week travel assign. I head that many nurse never completed the assignment from my agency.... so I went to my next pick, a $3000 bonus completion.

A few years back, my local hospital lost 4 employees to a Texas hospital on a $25K bonus... 2 stayed, 2 came back within one year.

rnnursesandy · Jul 31, 2008

How does one check the turnover rate and patient ratios? I mean, I am assuming the person interviewing will give the best-case scenario. Is there a way to find out the truth?
And what would one consider a suspiciously-generous sign on bonus?

one way to check the validity of what the interviewing is telling you is to call the staff directly. ask to talk to an RN and see what THEY say the real scoop is. This works especially well on night shift. IF the interviewer declines to allow you to do this.....RUN QUICKLY IN THE OTHER DIRECTION...THEY ARE HIDING SOMETHING!

rnnursesandy · Jul 31, 2008

I just took a $10,000 sign on 2 1/2 years ago. I get the last installment ($5,000) in Feb. This was because my hospital was starting a new open heart program and need experenced nurses. You had to have over 15 years in critical care and work in the CV service department. It has been no problem. In fact I was just returning to this hospital after being away for 9 years (I own 2 car washes). I since transfered back to the cath lab were I worked before I left in 97'.
But, when I was a traveler, I look for my next assignment based on 3 factors; highest pay, higest bonus, where I wanted to go next. I then started to ask other travelers about the hospital with the higest bonus. They "usually" had a big problem. Years ago, it was Chapel Hill NC offering a $5000 sign on for a 13 week travel assign. I head that many nurse never completed the assignment from my agency.... so I went to my next pick, a $3000 bonus completion.
A few years back, my local hospital lost 4 employees to a Texas hospital on a $25K bonus... 2 stayed, 2 came back within one year.

very interesting....i have a friend who is looking at the sign on bonus in texas right now!