Signing a contract for a length of employment commitment?

Leelee2 · Jul 30, 2010

If you break this contract after signing it, you would be in "breach of contract" Not good. I would be wondering why this facility is asking for a signed commitment in the first place? Have they experienced a high turn-over rate with nurses? If so, Why? Personally, as a new grad, I wouldn't be signing a 2 year commitment letter. Lots of things can change in two years, I'd want to keep my options open. Maybe you could ask to shadow a nurse currently working there, for a day or two, that should give you a good vibe on how the overall work environment is.

cherubhipster · Jul 30, 2010

Thanks everyone so much for all of the thoughts! I definitely will have an attorney look at it. though I really wasn't kidding when I said the "contract" only says "I agree to work here for 2 years." There is literally only one sentence to it. no fine print to read.. thats what makes me wonder how legit it can be.

ObtundedRN, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2010

thank you! I'll give some more info too.. the facility is a ltc/sub acute place. Also, the job is union, I don't know if that matters. It literally just says "I agree to work for 2 years". I am apprehensive about asking what happens if I break it because the HR told me they are only hiring me because they like me and see potential, and they dont really -need- extra nurses right now. They only want me to take the job if I am "really sure" I can commit. Said they had too many new grads work there for a years experience and go to a hospital for the money, that's why they made the contract. I am afraid if I ask what happens they will take that as I am indeed NOT committed to the full 2 years, and will withdraw their offer.
The economy is awful, thus why I am considering taking the job despite a few things going against it... and new grads have a really hard time. I know people who have been otu of school for months and months with nothing...

If its a LTC facility, I don't see how they have the reason to ask for a 2 yr commitment. I'm signed to a 2 year contract at my hospital because I was hired into a New grad residency program for the critical care division, which has lots of extra classroom education. I can see them asking you for a good faith type of commitment since they lose new hires so quickly, but if they have any penalties for breaking the contract, I'd say to keep looking.

jkaee · Jul 30, 2010

While I agree that I would be v. reluctant to sign a contract committing me to a particular facility for a specific minimum amount of time, I can also sympathize with employers who feel that they are tired of getting screwed over by people who take a job and then leave after a short period of time. And, reportedly, new grads have been doing more of this in recent years than ever before. I can recall when the standard length of time with a single employer to avoid the "jobhopper" label was at least two years -- now, people think a single year is plenty and a surprising (to me, at least :)) number of people post here about going through three or four jobs in their first year or so of nursing. (My current employer has hired four new grads within the last year, and three of them are already gone ...) Employers are tired of paying the extra expense of orienting new grads just to have them leave, and more and more healthcare facilities are either asking new grads to sign contracts or simply declining to hire new grads. Which do you prefer?? (Being asked to sign a contract, or just not being considered for employment, period, because you're a new grad?) This was starting to happen even before the economy tanked, although the bad economy has made the situation worse. These days, it's definitely a "buyer's market" in nursing employment and employers can pretty much set whatever conditions and requirements they like (as long as they're not violating federal or state employment law) -- and I doubt things are going to get better any time soon.
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Thank you for this. I know this is a little off topic, but as an Employee Health nurse that deals with all the new hires campus wide, it amazes me how so many of the "younger" set work for a few weeks and then leave. (this is in all departments, not just nursing)
Like elkpark stated above, it is EXPENSIVE to orient new employees. Disregard the actual training you will receive in your department....instead, think about the cost of a drug screen, back screen, immunizations, name badges, X-rays, etc. that's needed before you even sit down in your general orientation class. We also give out backpacks, free meals, snacks, etc to all new employees. So, as you can see, it can get quite costly just to get you in the building. So I can completely understand employers going to contracts.
Back to the topic at hand, sit down with HR and ask them any questions you have. If they can't answer them, then chances are it's not something they're going to follow up on. It seems to me to be a weak attempt to get people to stay.

caliotter3 · Jul 30, 2010

Personally, I would look on it as a guarantee of work for two years and go ahead and go for it. You realize that you are in the rare position of even having a job offer at this point. I would take the job and worry about any ramifications afterward. And look for the best in the job. Amazing how content you will feel when that check goes to the bank each pay period and you think about your friends who are still trying to find a job. Good luck.