Signing new grad contract?

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I recently passed my NCLEX RN and was hired on a telemetry floor. Yesterday, I got a packet in the mail and the hospital wants me to sign a new grad contract that I will pay back my new grad orientation fees ($11,000 for 12 weeks) if I quit or I'm fired within 18 months. Is this something that most new grads have to do? I'm a little worried about being locked into a job if something doesn't work out. What have you other new grads experienced with contracts and getting your first RN job?

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
I've been working there for over a month now, I never signed the contract, and it's never been mentioned again. Couldn't have been a better turn out! I agree with most of you who posted. It's suspicious when they ask you to sign a contract after your hired and it makes me wonder if this hospital has problems keeping nurses. So far everything has been really good, but I feel much better knowing I'm not under the threat of a contract if things get bad. Thanks for all your help.

Glad to hear it, kurlykay. Good luck in your new position! :)

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That's great news!! Congratulations on the new job!

Samantha

I wonder how many newhires just sign that document

without even thinking about it?

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

Thank you so much for the update! :)

It really kinda makes me feel all warm and fuzzy about this place to see someone post a problem, get feedback, and make an informed decision on an important issue.

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If this wasn't part of a written contract that was established when you were hired, I wouldn't sign it. It seems rather strange that you would receive this after being hired, rather than agreeing to it and signing it as a condition of accepting their employment offer. What makes me suspicious is the part about "being fired within 18 months". Any employer can figure out a way to fire someone at anytime. It's also almost easier to make them quit. Bad working conditions, harassment, pressure by "supervisors", can make even the "toughest" employee feel sick and defeated and decide to quit. If you haven't signed you are in a position of power. I would probe their HR Dept. and explore why they want you to sign this now, after they have already hired you. Perhaps it's a psychological ploy - they want to make you feel anxiety - that if you don't sign, your "brand new" job may be in jeopardy. Or they may want to make you feel like you have an "$11,000 bill hanging over your head that you must work off! If that is the case, I would look for a new employer - you don't want to work for that kind of outfit. They'll "screw you over" on other things as well. Another question I would ask is how did they arrive at the figure of $11,000? Sounds like a lot to "orient" someone. Are they giving you 2 hour lunches at nice restaurants every day? I suspect this figure was calculated based on what they believe the cost of turn over is for their facility. That raises the next point. Why would they have a high turn over rate? Additionally, does this mean that you might be helping your employer recoup their 'turnover" expenses by agreeing to this contract if you are "fired" or "quit" within 18 months and have to repay $11,000? This sounds really bad. Don't sign it.

I recently passed my NCLEX RN and was hired on a telemetry floor. Yesterday, I got a packet in the mail and the hospital wants me to sign a new grad contract that I will pay back my new grad orientation fees ($11,000 for 12 weeks) if I quit or I'm fired within 18 months. Is this something that most new grads have to do? I'm a little worried about being locked into a job if something doesn't work out. What have you other new grads experienced with contracts and getting your first RN job?
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I signed a contract to stay in the OR for 2 years, or else owe $5,000 and I did not get a sign on bonus.

Christine

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, CCU, teaching.

To all of you who are following this story...

I saw the nurse recruiter in the Hospital Cafeteria yeaterday. He brought up the contract. I guess he was so influenced by all of the points I brought up with the contract that he went before the administrators in the hospital and they did away with a new grad contract alltogether! He said the most influential thing was when I told him it makes the hospital appear that they are having trouble retaining staff. He thanked me for being honest and really telling him how I felt about the contract. He also said he never thought about the way it made the hospital appear. I've asked a few of the new grads that got hired after me and they said they were never asked to sign a contract so I guess it is true. So thanks everyone. Your comments have gotten rid of this contract for an entire hospital!

Karen

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Great news Karen! Thanks for having the guts to speak out.

Samantha

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I recently passed my NCLEX RN and was hired on a telemetry floor. Yesterday, I got a packet in the mail and the hospital wants me to sign a new grad contract that I will pay back my new grad orientation fees ($11,000 for 12 weeks) if I quit or I'm fired within 18 months. Is this something that most new grads have to do? I'm a little worried about being locked into a job if something doesn't work out. What have you other new grads experienced with contracts and getting your first RN job?

Did you end up working at that hospital?..What hospital was it?

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.

Whoops! This post is 1.5 years old.

Better not :deadhorse (Always wanted to use that smiley) hehehe!

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Specializes in Child/Adolescent Mental Health.
Whoops! This post is 1.5 years old.

Better not :deadhorse (Always wanted to use that smiley) hehehe!

:lol2: :lol2:

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Just saw this post, didn't realize it was over a year old . . . but I am in a similar situation. I signed a contract for 2 years in June, only because my hospital employed another training agency to come in and do a 6 month orientation for new grads which included classroom and skills lab training time. I'll withhold the company name that was hired to do the training - PM me if you want it. Anyways, at the time, I figured 2 years was a piece of cake - I was able to get through nursing school - so 2 years would be a breeze. I love my job, love the floor that I am working on - but at the same time, I didn't think about other 'life circumstances' that would make it hard for me to keep my contract. (i.e., illness of parents).

The actual 'contract' was just a piece of paper that I signed stating that I would owe $12K prorated if I did not stay for 2 years. That's pretty much it - no other fancy schmancy legal terms on there. But what if I have to leave for family emergencies, or to just quit and take a per diem job elsewhere to take care of my ailing parents??? Am I realisitcally liable, and does it look bad on my resume???? Unfortunately, I didn't consider that I would have other life issues that could interfere with my employment there when I took the job.

I am reluctant to talk to HR or my Director about it until I know for sure if I cannot meet my 2 years. But with the way my mother's health is declining, I will need to take care of her at some point in the near future (she lives in another state.)

Any feedback is much appreciated.

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Specializes in Gerontology.

sorry

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