Accepted job- dont have anything in writing

[bookwrm]

Hi-

Just wondering- I accepted a position as a new nurse starting in 6 weeks. They told me that all I needed was a verbal commitment, no paperwork to sign... Is this how it usually works? How do I know that they wont change their minds if I dont have anything in writing?????

Thanks.

[RazorbackRN, BSN, RN]

Hi-

Just wondering- I accepted a position as a new nurse starting in 6 weeks. They told me that all I needed was a verbal commitment, no paperwork to sign... Is this how it usually works? How do I know that they wont change their minds if I dont have anything in writing?????

Thanks.

That's pretty common unless you are entering into a contract. I doubt that the would change their minds, but I guess you could ask them to give you a offer/acceptance letter if it would put you at ease.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I ran into this problem when I accepted my current position. I wasn't comfortable quitting my old job and moving to a whole new state without something in writing. They wouldn't give me an official offer in writing until I did my pre-employment health screening a week before starting the new job. I solved it by communicating with them about the job via e-mail. Those e-mails helped me feel more comfortable because I would have them to show if they the hospital backed out on their offer.

[RN1989]

I've never worked for a hospital with a union so I've never had anything in writing for any job I've ever had.

[Freedom42]

I have never accepted a job -- union or non-union -- without requesting a letter of commitment from my new employer that spells out my rate of my pay, my benefits, and when those benefits will take effect. I've never had a problem getting that letter, either.

That's the employer's commitment to me. Only when I had that letter in my hand would I feel comfortable quitting my old job. That letter also forestalls any future disagreements over pay or benefits.