BREAKING
CONTRACTS
Presenters: Salena Barnes RN, BSN & Tonya Crager RN,
BSN
Objectives
Discuss a brief overview of the negotiation process.
Define your personal goals and what is most important in the contract.
Analyze contract for potential solutions that may present during the
negotiation process.
WORD OF CAUTION
Dont let the
excitement cloud
your judgement &
with one stroke of
the pen you sign
your
LIFE AWAY!!
Negotiating consists of
trying to reach an
agreement or compromise
by discussion with others.
Things to consider:
Be familiar with the scope of practice
in the state, licensure, and licensure
renewal. Do nurse practitioner have
autonomy or is collaboration with a
physician required? What are the
prescriptive authority parameters?
Be familiar with the type of practice
setting in the facility? Is it a specialty
area which may require additional
training? Is it a mix of clinicians? Role
of nurse practitioners? Location? Type
of insurance accepted?
Negotiation Strategies:
1. Create a win-win situation.
2. Allow the employer to make the first
offer and listen to their explanation
of the offer, which will allow you to
make an informed counter offer.
3. Know the minimum you will accept.
4. While negotiating your salary, keep
in mind the benefits offered and your
working hours.
Compensation:
What is your base pay? Are
you going to get paid hourly
or salary? Day? Per patient?
Is the bonus guaranteed or
discretionary? Who decides
if you have met the
conditions for a performance
based bonus? How objective
are the criteria?
Are the benefits guaranteed
or can the employer change
them at will?
Compensation:
How many hours a week are you required to work?
What will be your hours of work? Travel allowance?
Have you estimated your net worth? This leaves more negotiation for
compensation if the practice can afford what you are asking.
Will you be required to take call? If so, make sure compensation is
covered in the contract.
Cause of Termination
Check the contract
to see if the cause of
termination is well
defined. You do not
want an at-will
termination.
Job Description
If you are agreeing to sign a
contract for a period of years,
it is important to make sure
that it is what you think it is.
Make sure they have your
title, as well as your role, and
your expected duties detailed
in the contract.
Non-compete Clause
This clause takes effect once you terminate your
relationship with your employer and the employer
does not want the employee to compete against
the employer in a new setting.
Signing a contract with a non-compete clause can
have serious and long-term effects for ones career.
If youre locked in, employers can treat you unfairly
and pay you poorly. Why consider giving someone a
raise if you know they cant leave?
So consider: Is the non-compete statewide? Within
miles? Blocks?
How long does it last? Years? Months?
Under what circumstances? Voluntarily or
Termination?
Vacation Time
If vacation time is important to you,
make sure it is stated in the contract.
The average vacation time is usually
three to four weeks a year.
Maternity Leave
Maternity leave is a period of
temporary absence allotted from
employment granted to expectant or
new mothers during months prior and
after childbirth by the employer.
Consider:
Are you planning to start a family
soon? Are you prepared if get
unexpectedly pregnant?
Is it paid maternity leave? How
much? And the length of time?
Do I have short-term disability?
Sick Leave
Time allotted for illness of yourself
and/or your family members.
Bereavement Leave
Losing someone or something
you love is painful and
everyone will experience at
some point in their lives.
What does your employer
define as an approved reason
for bereavement? Does it apply
to immediate family only? Pets?
How much time do you have for
bereavement? Is it paid time
off?
Retirement:
Breaking a Contract
Questions
References