Declined full time job, can I still offer to work per diem?

Nurses Career Support

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Specializes in Oncology.

I recently flew to another state and interviewed at two hospitals in the same city. I was offered a position at each, and chose the one I thought would be better suited to me. The one I chose is public; the one I didn't choose was HCA and that factored into my decision a bit. Not sure how I feel about HCA and for-profit hospitals after reading about them here. I emailed HR and the managers at the HCA hospital and thanked them for the interviews, but let them know I had decided to decline the position. One of the managers wrote me a really nice response, saying he was disappointed but understood, and to let him know if anything changes. I felt really bad (I have never been in a position to decline a job before!). I really liked him and the other manager, and am wondering if it would be inappropriate to call them and ask to work per diem for them? It will be obvious to them that I took another position in the area, since I am relocating. I also said in my email that I thought that maybe the position wasn't the best fit, because I really didn't know what else to say and didn't want to say I chose another hospital. I just keep thinking that they were really nice people and I somehow wish I could do both. It has been a few weeks since the last contact with this hospital. Please give me your opinions on this. Thanks!

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Anything is worth a try but don't be surprised if they can't accommodate you.

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Specializes in Oncology.
Anything is worth a try but don't be surprised if they can't accommodate you.

Thanks for the reply. They do have a PRN position posted on their website, which is what got me thinking about that possibility...

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Oh, in that case, I would make it clear that you are asking for that position. Good luck.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

If you are relocating for the new position, I would advise you to settle in to your new job before trying to take on any more/extra work. You may wish to take advantage of additional earning opportunities with your new employer rather than a competitor facility.

I do understand your decision - I made up my mind to only work with not-for-profits about 20 years ago & I have not had any regrets. My epiphany? When I realized that the first sentence in the (for profit) organization's mission statement reflected the importance of adding value for shareholders. It was a blinding flash of the obvious... the priority for any for-profit entity is always to make money rather than focus entirely on patient care. Not to say that many f-p hospitals don't provide quality care... it just didn't/doesn't work for me.

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Specializes in Oncology.

Thanks for the replies! I think you're right, HouTx. I should wait until I get there and settle in. I may not want to work more than three nights a week! And I agree, there was just something about the concept of a for-profit hospital that seems to go against the mission of healthcare in general. I think this HCA facility is a good one, but I don't really care for the business side of healthcare and it seemed better to go with the public, academic hospital.

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