[PedsRNBSN]

ARGHH... I am trying to do things by the book! I didn't know that it was customary to give four weeks notice , and I have learned a valuable lesson. It is just that I am so frustrated that I was never informed that this was a policy and that it was available to me. Honestly. the thought never occured to me that HR policies would be posted along with dressing change policies...trust me....I WILL NEVER MAKE THAT MISTAKE AGAIN!!!

[HappyNurse2005]

My hospital requires 4 week notice for everyone who makes over 11 dollars an hour.
it was stated in employee handbook, and mentioned in orientation. was this ever told to you? anyone else you know there leaving? ask them if htey were told the same thing.
Ask your job to provide, in writing, a state ment that you need to give 4 weeks notice.

[Daytonite]

A four-week notice of resignation is not customary! Two week notice is usually sufficient and what is asked by most employers. This hospital is just being different. I wouldn't worry about burning this bridge. Why would you want to go back after what has happened to you there anyway? Also, for future reference, no one else ever gets to see your personnel file outside of the company. This should never come up as a problem if you ever need to list them as work experience and they are contacted for information about you. All they are allowed to give out is if you resigned voluntarily or were fired. You can allay any fears you have by sending human resources a letter and directing them to only reveal that you did give a notice of resignation--period, and they have to respect that request. Anyway, after 4 or 5 years they will be ancient history on the work history part of any job applications you make and will most likely not even be contacted for any reference at all because it will be too old.

[Jolie]

I am sorry for your situation, which appears to have arisen out of inexperience more than anything else.

What does the hospital policy say about length of notice required in order to leave "on good terms"?

I have worked in a number of hospitals, and virtually every one had a different policy. 4 weeks was NOT the longest I encountered. One hospital required notice = to one's yearly vacation. In my case, that was 6 weeks!

You mentioned that you gave roughly 3 weeks notice. That means you would only have to push your new job back by about a week, in order to meet their request for 4 week's notice. Is that not possible? I can't imagine that a new employer wouldn't be willing to wait an additional week for a quality new employee.

Leaving on terms that make you "ineligible for re-hire" might not seem like such a big deal if you don't plan to ever return to this institution. But it will affect you every time you apply for a new job anywhere. The potential employer may decide against hiring you based on this information, or you will be forced to explain it and provide copies of your past evaluations to support your explanation. If staying for one more week would enable you to avoid this hassle, I would at least consider doing so.

Good luck whatever you do!

[clee1]

Originally Posted by PedsRNBSN

I agree, I don't want to burn bridges, however I also hate staying on when they are threatening me like this! I don't want a "black mark" on my background checks, but at the same time, I am working hard for them and am trying to do everything right. I didn't go asking around about their policies (first off this is my first hospital job and I didn't even think that there would be a policy regarding resignation...however I have since learned there is a policy about EVERYTHING) because i didn't want anyone else to tell management before I did. I have talked to several people, and I really appreciate the advice here. I think that I am going to have to just leave at the end of the notice I already gave, because the new job cannot really wait, and it is a great job!! Hours are fantastic and no weekends or holidays either! I do NOT want to lose that. I don't want to burn bridges, but if I had known earlier, then obviously i would have followed policy. I tried to do everything right, but this is all i got. Oh well....at least if I do have a "not eligible for rehire" on my check it will be easily explained. I also have copied of my GLOWING reviews, so I am not too too concerned. It just stinks!!

Any employer that releases any information other than dates of employment and job title risks HUGE damages in a lawsuit.

Don't worry too much about your "record".

[CrunchRN]

It's just one of those hard lessons you learn. Every employer has different rules and for your own benefit you must make it your responsibility to check into them and never, ever rely on the employer.

Sounds like you have learned the lesson the hard way and will always remember it!

Try not to burn bridges. You never know when it may bite you in the butt. Explain to your new employer and see if they will be understanding.

Best of luck!

[NurseHirzRN]

I used to be in management and HR the ONLY info allowed to be told was dates of enployment and we were even told to say yes we would rehire even if the employee was fired with good cause.
On another note I was fired from a job in which I fought and won my unemployment because there was no cause and it has never caused a problem for me in the past.
Keep your chin up and move on. I agree it is best not to burn bridges, but sometimes that is just not possible.
The last job I left on my own I ended up not giving notice do to maternity leave, but I have been told if I want I can always come back.