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.
Thanks luvmyhubbybunche and mojitos2go! I would love to run. This teaches me a great lesson. Money never exchanged hands :) I will not mention prorate when and if I resign but use it as a backup plan. Thank you all for your great advice :) It is so nice to bounce ideas off bc I cannot talk about leaving with any of the coworkers (not that any are decent) or other people I graduated with because they did not have to sign contracts at the hospitals they work at.
If you quit please don't berate yourself if you can't get another job. Backstabbing, unpleasant coworkers and lousy schedules are quite common. Should you find another position in the near future, chances are quite high that it will be worse than what you will be leaving.
Is it me, or is everyone making this more difficult then it needs to be.
If your only two weeks in, go talk to the mgr before they invest more in you. If you already want to bolt, they would rather you go now then have to deal with the issue later after they truly have invested in you. They may well let you off the hook.
Honestly, unless you are in a TRULY unsafe environment, I think I would suck it up and stay my year, then peace out if it is still and absolutely horrible place to be.
Fact of the matter is, new grad jobs are pretty freaking hard to get nowadays all over the country. That isn't a reason to stay in a place that is unsafe, but it is something to think about. In that year off of orientation, use your time to gain as much experience as you can. Learn everything you can possibly absorb. Do some research, read journals, practice procedures, get your hands in as much as you can. When your year is up, then I would potentially look for a new job. By then, you won't be so new and can actually take a job where they require some experience, increasing your likelihood to obtain a better job.
Who knows, maybe in the course of that year you will learn that you really aren't that miserable! As far as scheduling goes, you may never get that truly awesome schedule every single time. I know that for the next 6 weeks, I have the most horribly screwed-up schedule! I'm flipping from days to nights constantly...even in the same week! But, then again, I am also in a new department and have to bear the burden of the crappy schedule until I gain a little seniority!
so, in the contract, did it say anything about the "3 12's" or was that just a verbal promise? promises mean nothing - but if the schedule was in your contract then they broke it.
Read the contract. Maybe you can buy afford to buy yourself out. If you don't have to work or jobs are easy to come by in your area than don't be miserable.
If your only two weeks in, go talk to the mgr before they invest more in you. If you already want to bolt, they would rather you go now then have to deal with the issue later after they truly have invested in you. They may well let you off the hook.
i agree w/this.
but, you need to be decisive one way or the other.
this is no time to hem and haw, time is money.
i also like the idea of a legal consult, many of which you can get for free.
and finally, if it is only one line, i'd read it in any and all ways...
just to point out that it could be perceived in more than one way.
for instance, the poster who pointed out your obligation AFTER the internship...
could that be your out?
is the contract implying that you are free to leave before the internship is finished?
Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
Just food for thought: as a new grad, it is normal to feel that "*** did I just get myself into?!?" mentality. You are overwhelmed, you have to learn the unwritten rules of the unit, and you are the new kid on the block just trying to do your freaking job already. I TOTALLY get it.
Is there any way that you think you can stick it out? I would hate for you to have to go job searching again, and an internship typically provides very good experience for new grads. Is there a nurse educator there that you can talk to about your frustrations?
Just FYI, all of the nurse internships that I know about in my area ONLY offer 5 8's while you are actually in the program. Once you complete the program, you can pick from available shifts.
What could have happened in only two weeks to make you 100% sure that this job stinks?
I know the schedule thing would annoy me too but is that really a huge issue? The majority of the working human race does a 5 day work week. Working 12s is nice but out of your 4 days off expect to spend 1-2 feeling tired from working those 12s.
Backstabbing co-workers exist everywhere. It's good that you discovered that early on. So you will never make a mistake and let your personal business out on the job. Be friendly but give them nothing to talk about and learn how to be assertive. Do your job and go home after your shift. Always remind yourself that you just work there!
Finally, working in a disorganized environmental can help you master your organizational skills. You can look at it as an opportunity to learn how to do much with little.
Jobs are too hard to find and most places are the same. I wouldn't give it up unless my license was at risk.
Is the internship paid or unpaid? If it's unpaid, and the things you're doing are duties that would normally be done by paid staff, then they may be working you illegally. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/business/03intern.html
Something to think about - yes, your schedule isn't what you expected. What are the odds it may change in 2 or 3 or 6 months? Is it possible that you're reacting more to the newness of the position than the awfulness of the place? New grad jobs are pretty much non-existent these days - I applied to over 100 jobs after we relocated for my husband's work, and finally found one...three hours away. Now I drive three hours, stay with a roommate, work three days a week, and drive home...every week. Please consider how tough your situation really is - there's a difference between a not-so-great work environment and one that potentially puts your license at risk. If it's the former, you may want to really give leaving some thought before risking a long period of unemployment.
Unless you're independently wealthy. If that's the case, please quit immediately, and feel free to express your appreciation for my advice monetarily.
I think you should try and separate the two issues even though they feel like one and the same. You've signed the contract now, first thing is to talk to the hospital and find out for sure where you stand. When you've done that you can make a better decision about the job itself. What I'm trying to say is, if you loved the job, you wouldn't be worrying about the contract. If you didn't have a contract, you wouldn't feel so bad about the job, you'd be able to look at it more realistically.
So.... go and talk to the hospital. Find out what happens if you leave now, or in 3 months, 6 months, 9 months. You have a right to know this! You mightn't like the answers, but it's always better to know the facts.
Then.... you need to think about the job itself. Like many others have said, horrible co-workers and bad rosters are everywhere. You could change jobs every month for a year and still not be satisfied with your colleagues, your roster, your supervisor, the policies, the environment, etc, etc. When you're a new nurse you don't have the experience to know this, but it's true.
There is much to be learned at any new job. There are skills to develop and 'book learning' and knowledge to solidify. But most of all, there are patients to be cared for. It has to be said that there are also some jobs that can almost destroy you. I just wonder if you really know which it is yet, you've been there such a short time.
Another poster had a good idea about perhaps talking to a nurse educator. Is there an experienced nurse you've worked with at any time in the past that you could talk to and use as a sort of informal mentor? It doesn't have to be in person, over the phone or by email would be almost as good. I too would hate you to make a rash decision that you may later regret.
nursedolphin
23 Posts
Thanks luvmyhubbybunche and mojitos2go! I would love to run. This teaches me a great lesson. Money never exchanged hands :) I will not mention prorate when and if I resign but use it as a backup plan. Thank you all for your great advice :) It is so nice to bounce ideas off bc I cannot talk about leaving with any of the coworkers (not that any are decent) or other people I graduated with because they did not have to sign contracts at the hospitals they work at.