So I signed a 15 month contract as a new graduate nurse and a few weeks into the job, I hate it. I did not know about the commitment during the interview.
My question is: has anyone NOT signed the contract and still worked? Or did you negotiate it differently?
I was so caught off guard and did not know how to approach the situation. I am now reflecting on what I should of said to not sign/commitment for so long. I was so worried that if I did not sign, I would not have the position because they would of found someone who would have signed.
I am also a new grad and had to sign a contract for my position. My contract is two years.
It is really expensive to train us newbies. They have to pay two nurses to do the job of one during the entire orientation period as well as pay us to go to multiple classes. The contract is simply a way for the unit to make sure they are getting a return on the all of the resources they are investing in us. I can completely understand this.
Truthfully, I don't think there is anything you could have done differently. These types of contracts seem to be standard when working in the hospital environment.
I sincerely hope that you find a way to resolve your situation that you are happy with. :redbeathe:heartbeat:redbeathe:heartbeat
Yup. After I finish the internship (3 months) I have to stay a year so I have to be employed there for 15 months. It is sooo frustrating. I got myself into a pickle. The money is not a signing bonus just the cost of the internship. I want to leave after a few weeks because I know it is not the place for me but I am stuck for another 14.5 months
Thanks Chinup. LOL about your post...I posted a question if I can break the contract and got eaten alive. You are correct-I do have 90 days probation. I am afraid to mention anything because 15 months is a long time to not get along with the boss. If I leave I have to pay back $10,000 for the cost of the 3 month internship. Grrrr!
Okay, in that case, let's get you fired. That way, you are free and won't have to pay them back. 10k is a lot of money and it changes the whole picture. If they are not a huge, national chain, let them get rid of you. If they are, you may have to suck it up. I am no longer on the moral police squad. Not when it comes to institutions. They all will let us go in a blink of an eye. So, what is good for them, is good for us too. My loyalty to corporate has been used up. I really don't care what the moral police have to say. None of them know you, your circumstances or even what they would do in a similar situation. All they know is that today, it sounds good on this board, to be them. Oh, puh- leeze. they have no clue, none. Peace!
There is nothing in facility training that is worth 10,000. You gotta be kidding me. A year or two a go there was a post pre-signing, and EVERYBODY told that poster to just walk away from that job. They have given you and will give you nothin honey! If you want out and want not to get burned financially I'd check that contract out with a lawyer. Who cares if you dump the job, the job is nothing, it's that piece of paper you signed -- that's all I care about for your well-being.
Wow, I hope the internship included education, like critical care course, 12 lead ekg, etc. Is the contract floor/unit specific? If so, you may get them on that. Do they pro rate? I had to do the contract thing too (mine was 24 months) because of the education they provided, I feel your pain. I said I would never sign another contract again, and I haven't.
I would honestly look at staying the year (if you like the facility but hate the floor). Your first year does really fly.... but if you are that miserable, and can find another place to work, they have been known to buy you out of a contract - depending on how hard up they are for nurses.
Yup. After I finish the internship (3 months) I have to stay a year so I have to be employed there for 15 months. It is sooo frustrating. I got myself into a pickle. The money is not a signing bonus just the cost of the internship. I want to leave after a few weeks because I know it is not the place for me but I am stuck for another 14.5 months
You have been there a few weeks? They can not enforce this 10k rule. It is extortion. Get a lawyer, ASAP. Or have someone you know who reads contracts, find your out for you. It is there, you just have to know where to find it. Anyway, good luck.
I can't believe they are getting away with this, it is so wrong.
FancypantsRN, ChinUp and Onaclear day - you are all awesome!! Thank you so much. I feel waaay better. There is not a critical care course, 12 lead EKG just education classes which I have yet to attend. ChinUp, lol about getting fired! It is an at-will state in which they could fire me at a given notice. I hear you about corporate, they are a bunch of number crunchers without feelings. I do understand there is a cost associated with training new graduates but $10,000 for 3 months???? That is extreme. I might mention prorating, that is a great idea! The contract was one line!!!
Goodness, don't new grads WANT to get experience? What's wrong with 5 8's? We do that all the time down under. How can you afford to be unemployed nowadays?
May I ask you, how on earth do you think that you're going to get another job without experience? I'm always constantly amazed by new graduates on here who don't like this and don't like that - nothing will ever be exactly how you want it you know. You have to take the rough with the smooth to get that 12 months under your belt.
Can you talk to your NUM/DON re the unprofessional behaviour? And ask whoever hired you about your contract - get it sorted out now.
I sometimes think new grads need a reality check, honest to God.
FancypantsRN, ChinUp and Onaclear day - you are all awesome!! Thank you so much. I feel waaay better. There is not a critical care course, 12 lead EKG just education classes which I have yet to attend. ChinUp, lol about getting fired! It is an at-will state in which they could fire me at a given notice. I hear you about corporate, they are a bunch of number crunchers without feelings. I do understand there is a cost associated with training new graduates but $10,000 for 3 months???? That is extreme. I might mention prorating, that is a great idea! The contract was one line!!!
If the contract was one linen it is not a true contract. Really, just learned this in school a few months ago. Does that one line, saying anything about you understanding what you are getting into and also, that you did not sign, under duress?
Also, fancypants, did have a great idea, with prorating the 10k. I still think it is extortion, but cutting your losses and moving on is beneficial to your emotional health. Please keep us informed. Peace!
Chin Up, your awesome! The one line basically just stated that the employee would have to remain in the position for one year after the completion of the internship, otherwise the employee would have to pay $10,000. There was not mention of understanding what I was getting into or duress. So annoying. I hope they will prorate it...Thanks again for your help!
I wouldn't have them prorate anything!! If there has been no money that has changed hands I would say c-ya!! They cannot physically force you to stay and that amount for an externship is OUTRAGEOUS!! I agree with the above post, NO internship is worth that amount of money!!
Chin Up, your awesome! The one line basically just stated that the employee would have to remain in the position for one year after the completion of the internship, otherwise the employee would have to pay $10,000. There was not mention of understanding what I was getting into or duress. So annoying. I hope they will prorate it...Thanks again for your help!
Well, there is your out, "After completion of the internship..." Run! :)
BelleFleurRN
16 Posts
I am also a new grad and had to sign a contract for my position. My contract is two years.
It is really expensive to train us newbies. They have to pay two nurses to do the job of one during the entire orientation period as well as pay us to go to multiple classes. The contract is simply a way for the unit to make sure they are getting a return on the all of the resources they are investing in us. I can completely understand this.
Truthfully, I don't think there is anything you could have done differently. These types of contracts seem to be standard when working in the hospital environment.
I sincerely hope that you find a way to resolve your situation that you are happy with. :redbeathe:heartbeat:redbeathe:heartbeat