Signed Contract as a new nurse

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Would appreciate any and all input. As a new grad, I signed a contract a few months ago to work as an RN in a local hospital for two years in exchange for them training me. Since signing the contract, all employees have taken a pay cut and there is a freeze on salary increases. (my salary is not addressed in the contract)

In the meantime, a wonderful opportunity has come along, in a field I think I would enjoy more, making more money. My question, do you think I can get out of my contract, and not have to pay the penalty $3000? I don't think I can afford that penalty, but I feel I shouldn't have to since I took a pay cut. I'm afraid if I go talk to HR, word will get out to my boss that I'm interested in leaving, and things would get uncomfortable working there.

What do you think?

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Guess it all depends what your contract states. If it were me, I would take the job that makes ya happy, even if one has to pay that $3000. Plus you stated the other job makes more $$$, so eventually you will make it back. Just make sure you have that other job al sealed up and delivered

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Medsurg.

I was/am in the same exact boat as you. I worked for a local hospital as an extern last summer. They gave me a $3000 scholarship for last year if I worked for them for 2 years. Well, the hospital I precepted at in the ER, offered me a position. Making a little more an hour, but ER is where I want to be (not med/surg) and it fits in with my long term goals. It was a very difficult decision and I've gotten much advice telling me to "fulfill my obligation" or "do what makes me happy".

In the grand scheme of things, I am leaving the local hospital for the ER position. My thought basically boiled down to "Would I pay $3000 to be happy to go to work everyday?". The resounding answer was YES!!! Whether I not I can get out of the $3000 remains to be seen but, I know I have made the best decision for my family and my career in the long run.

Good luck to you, I know how hard this decision is. Think of it this way....Is $3000 worth being unhappy? Secondly, will you always think...what if? I know I would.

Thoughts are with ya!!

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Think of it as a business decision. How much more will you be making at job 2? I bet you would probably make up that money in a year. What is the price tag on a job that you will enjoy more, in an area you want to be in? Personally, I would pay the $3000.

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Well, I suppose you can have a lawyer look over the contract for you and see if there's a loophole, but I doubt it. From what you say, it sounds like the contract is pretty clear. You can fulfill your agreement by continuing to work there the remainder of your 2 yrs or you can pay the $3000 breech of contract fine. And really, $3000 is not that much of a penalty when you consider how much they've put into training you.

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I would guess that the original fee would be prorated based on how much of the time you completed. In other words, if you did 1/2 of the time, you would only have to pay off 1/2 of what you owe. If you have another job lined up, don't be afraid to go talk to HR. And don't feel guilty, you are just finding out where you best fit in and you have to do something you love!

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Specializes in PeriOperative.

If you decide to pursue the other job, do not breathe a word of it on your unit until you are hired (not when you put your application in or even after the interview). If it doesn't work out, at least you won't have burnt bridges. In my area HR goes through 50-60 candidates to fill each RN position, so don't count your chickens before they hatch.

When and if you are hired, do not start immediately. You'll need to give your two weeks notice (at least). New grads who fail to do this are the ones who typically end up regretting their decisions, because they make it impossible to get hired at the first facility and at others (people talk, and it's a small world in health care administration).

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

You signed a contract and are expected to pay it back. Whether or not you can afford it--is not the hospital's problem.

You are the reason why new grads are not hirable--lack of responsibility towards a committment.

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Specializes in Pediatric Cardiology.
You are the reason why new grads are not hirable--lack of responsibility towards a committment.

Harsh and quite a generalization! Anyways, to OP: GO FOR IT! In this economy it isn't often you get a chance to get a job you actually want. Pay the $3000 and never look back. :)

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I agree that was harsh.

That's why they make clauses in contracts - so that if there is breech, there is recourse. As long as you fulfill the breech clause (as I think you should, rather than try to weasel out of it), what you're doing is not immoral.

"Efficient breech" is a business decision, and morality does not play a part, as long as you're following the contract and not breaking the law.

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Be glad that you are moving on to something that will make you happy, and someone who didn't have a job will have a chance to be happy.

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Specializes in chemical dependency detox/psych.

If you're going to break your contract, suck it up and pay the 3K. They've invested a lot of money training you, and they deserve to get some of that back.

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