[PedsRNBSN]

I am soooooooooo upset right now. I am a new nurse, (grad May 05) and am trying to resign my position at a children's hospital because of NUMEROUS reasons. Well, they NEVER told us anything about resigning...so I gave close to three weeks notice, and now I receive a phone call stating that if I don't give a full one month notice I will not be eligible for rehire. AHHHHHHH...what should I do? Is it worth it or not...I am about to call my new position and see if I can move my start date but I am SOOOOO frustrated. Why didn't anyone tell me this earlier...no, they wait till I have two weeks left and then just tell me that "oh, it was on the internet". I just feel like I am being blackmailed into staying!! ARGHHHH!

[ToryAdore]

If the reason you're leaving was job related why would you mind them saying they wouldn't hire you back...? Would you go back if they wanted you...? If not, I can't see any reason to risk turning your new employer off by asking for another week.

[rpv_rn]

Speak to your new employer and explain your situation. Make your decision based on their response. Maintain good relationships with current and past employers whenever possible. One never knows where you will be in the future.

"Never burn your bridges."

[GooeyRN]

I agree with the above posters. I would try to talk to my new employer. I never burn bridges. You never know what the future holds or who the hospital will merge with in the future!

[jimthorp]

The first thing I would do is check the Employee Handbook for verification and perhaps ask for written company policy regarding resignations. Regardless of what you find I cannot with good conscious suggest that anyone cave in to threats made by employers, or anyone for that matter.

[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!!

[SarasotaRN2b]

When you turned in your resignation to your supervisor (or whoever), was anything said at that time? Has there been a mass exodus because of the conditions you spoke about? I'm sure they are just trying to use it as a scare tactic (a very bad tactic, indeed) more than anything. Since you have had glowing reviews, I would speak with whoever wrote them and ask if they would be your reference if need be.

Congrats on your new job...enjoy it and don't stress yourself over this. The time to tell you that it is 4 weeks required rather than 2 or 3 is at the time the resignation is turned in or at the very latest 24 hours later.

[jimthorp]

If it was truely company policy then they would have told/reminded you at the time you turned in your resignation. They may in fact not have a policy regarding "giving notice". Two weeks notice is the traditional time frame short of company executives. It certainly sounds to me like they are making things up on the fly.

As you stated, this "not eligible for rehire" can easily be explained should a future employer want to know and you have proof of your worthyness in the form of "glowing" performance reviews.

[Altra]

Originally Posted by PedsRNBSN

Why didn't anyone tell me this earlier...no, they wait till I have two weeks left and then just tell me that "oh, it was on the internet".

If there truly is a policy, made available to employees via the internet/ facility intranet, then I disagree that this is a threat or blackmailing you into staying longer. You'll know this in the future: responsibility for knowing HR policies (regarding employment, transfers to other positions within the facility, vacations/PTO, benefits, etc. )and how they apply to you lies with you.

One month does seem an unusually long notice requirement for a staff position, but this is all water under the bridge if you've made your decision - best of luck to you in your new job!

[nurse educate]

Originally Posted by jimthorp

If it was truely company policy then they would have told/reminded you at the time you turned in your resignation. They may in fact not have a policy regarding "giving notice". Two weeks notice is the traditional time frame short of company executives. It certainly sounds to me like they are making things up on the fly.

Actually, every nursing job I ever had required four weeks notice for resignation. I assumed it was standard in the nursing field. Despite that, they should have told you when you handed in your resignation with your end date.

It's best not to burn your bridges, IMO. I would explain to your new employer, as they should realize this is the customary time for notica as well (and they wouldn't want you to do the same if you were resigning from their institution).