So what would you do in this situation?

[NurseCard]

I've been reading different thoughts on here, regarding giving proper notice when resigning. Most people agree that two weeks is the norm and the professional standard (which is basically how I feel); others say that four weeks should definately be the standard, the minimum, for a professional nurse.

What if you are resigning from a job that you hate, a job where administration treated you, as well as other employees poorly, where you were shown practically no appreciation from management......

.... for a job that is within walking distance from your house, where the administrators seem warm and friendly, the people who work there have good things to say about the place... in general, it seems like a much better job....

.... BUT, the DON at the new job, the job that you really want, said that she would not be able to give you the four weeks that you asked for? In fact, it turned out that you would not even be able to give a full two weeks to your current employer?

What would you do??

Originally the DON wanted me to go to orientation yesterday (Monday), then start working on the floor the following Monday. I was like... I can't do that! I asked her for four weeks... she said that she just didn't think she would be able to do that, she really needed someone like, NOW... that she may have to hire someone else. I thought it over and then called her back later and said that I would like to take the job, but could I start two weeks from this past Monday, instead of just one week later. At first she said that would be fine, but then somehow my starting date got switched to Thursday, October 21st. I thought at first that that would be okay, but as it turned out, I would only be giving my current employer about a week to a week-and-a-half, notice.

I do truly want this new job, and I honestly do not have much guilt over leaving this other job with short notice, given the way that I feel like they have treated me, and have treated other employees... given the way that they run the place... etc. Other employees there have left with much MUCH lesser notice; they should feel fortunate that they even got as much notice from me as they DID.

However, at the same time... I feel guilty for violating the norm, you know? But I feel like there wasn't much I could do. I guess I could have insisted on more time and if she didn't want to hire me badly enough, she didn't have to. But man... I wasn't willing to risk it. The power was all hers, eh?

[prosperouschick]

I agree with a few of the other posters that say to do the right thing. Essentially, there is a double standard where an employer can let you go at any time, and they expect you to give them a notice (and as a nurse what seems to be even more common is giving 4 weeks notice). I personally would be leery of a new boss asking you to do something to another employer that they would not want done to them. I agree with one of the other posters in that it is very telling about this boss' work and management style. I know that it can be difficult to do the best thing when you are ready to run out of the door of your current employer, but I think it is best to give notice according to their policy. You would leave their in good standing, and they could give you a decent reference in the future.

I also think that your potential boss would respect you more for following the policy of your current employer, even if she ended up hiring someone else for this position. She could look you up again in the future when there was another opening or when an employee gave her the proper four weeks notice.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I'm delighted to say that I'm in a similar situation as the OP, still working at one facility and recently landing my dream job, necessitating the ever-popular two-weeks' notice while my new boss also needs me desperately. Luckily, my current employer isn't terrible, and my new boss is more than willing to wait for me to finish up my obligations before starting the position for which he hired me.

And therein hangs a tale. I've learned to be very wary about employers who want a new hire to start yesterday---more often than not, there's a reason why they're turning over staff, and it's never a good sign. And when their need is so urgent that they even HINT that they'll hire someone else if you don't drop your former employer like a hot potato (which is a bad move under almost any circumstances), I can guarantee that they'd do the same to you if the situation were reversed.

As much as you want this position---and to get away from this place you dislike so much---I would seriously reconsider it if the DON will not wait for you to fulfill your obligations to your current employer. Just my two pence worth.