Signing new grad contract?

[kurlykay]

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?

[kharma09]

The term indentured servant comes to mind ...

[LilRedRN1973]

All of the new grads in the ICU had to sign a contract stating that should we leave before 2 years, we would have to pay back $2500 (supposedly the cost of training us). We also had to agree to work a certain number of hours within that first 2 year (which puts us at a 1.0 status). I had no problem signing the contract because I had been working in that unit since December 2003 (signed my new hire contract in July 2005) and knew the place, the supervisors, employees, etc. We were all aware we would be signing this before taking the job. And I don't believe it's any reflection on the hospital, as the other 3 major hospitals in the area all require the same for new grads entering specialty units.

Melanie = )

[AngelsRN]

I had to sign a contract as well that I would be there about 15 months or pay back, I think it was $3500 -- I had no problems signing it. The training program was great and I figured I would be there that long anyway.