Need advice on new job ASAP

[wiggingout]

So, I've been offered a state psych job. HR just called today to officially offer it to me after finishing my background check. When she asked if I had any questions, I mentioned that my wife is due to give birth to our first child feb. She said this might be an issue, spoke to the DON, then called me back.

She said I have two options: start when I'm supposed to (jan 7) but not be able to take anytime off, or start March 4 with another group (I'm assuming) of new hires. She is due Feb 8 and we have no indication of whether she'll be early, late, complications, etc.

My wife will be out of work starting at Christmas (she is the primary earner) and I'll be laid off my seasonal jobs at likely in January (11 bucks/hr - this will be my first RN job). Money wise, we'd be ok but I think I'd prefer to work those few months. Not sure how to approach this right now. Thanks for any advice.

[BabyRN23]

take the job now...

[wiggingout]

just wanted to clarify - I didn't say ASAP to be pushy (I always feel that acronym comes across as pushy, digitally) - I actually have to let them know tomorrow.

As far as taking the job now - I'm not quite sure what that means (hopefully find out a little more tomorrow). Does this mean if my wife goes into labor, I will not be allowed to leave work for the birth? Will I be fired if I leave for the birth? (rhetorical, of course)

I'm guaranteed the job in March - it's not a take it now or take your chances later thing.

[M/B-RN]

If you have enough money to put it off until March then wait so you can have all the time for your wife and baby. But if you guys need the cash, start working right away even if it means not being there for the birth. Ultimately, that baby needs stuff that costs money. It's all about doing the responsible thing for your family.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

If the start date in March is guaranteed and you're financially able, I would hold out until then. Taking a job and immediately telling an employer that you're going to need time off, no matter how good the reason, is not an ideal situation. The early part of employment is spent with orientation and other training, and your value to your employer is already somewhat diminished during that time. If you then take time off, it can really strap your new employer - if they are even willing to grant it. My employer does not allow use of annual leave for the first six months of employment, and to be eligible for leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) you must have been with your current employer for one year.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

M/B-RN said it the best. If you can afford to wait until March, then do it...otherwise you may not have a choice but to take the job.

As far as taking time off, most facilities will not let you take any time off during an initial hiring/probation period. However, some may let you take time off but it would be unpaid. I would ask about that. Perhaps they may be more agreeable to letting you take some time off for the delivery if they didn't have to pay you for it...and if they do agree to it, IMO minimize whatever time you do take--only take a few days, not a week or two.

Congratulations!

[wiggingout]

thanks a ton for the responses (btw, I didn't move this to the Psych Nursing forum - i thought it was a pretty general question).

Anyways, I basically had to let them know by today so I decided to take the sure thing - starting in March. I asked specifically if I would be able to leave if my wife were to call and say she had gone into labor. When they said the answer was "no," I knew what my decision was.

I'm hoping to stick around in my current job so we have some kind of money coming in. Also going to talk to some friends I know have done temp/agency work and maybe get something going in the meantime.

Thanks again!