After the interview, job offer, start date?

[jessbsnrnpsych]

I am relocating my family to another part of the state that has more opportunity and the types of recreation we love (hiking, whitewater kayaking, etc). We cant do the actual move until I know I have a job with a start date for obvious reasons.

I interviewed with a facility I was interested in on June 22nd. The interview was great. I asked questions, he asked questions, and we had a great rapport. I even asked him what hesitations he had about my qualifications, and he said "Honestly, I don't have any. You the right experience in the right areas). I asked him what happened next in the process, and he said he would need to get with HR to find out what starting pay he could offer me and would let me know. Then he said it was a matter of getting me in for my drug test/background check, and that it took 4 or 5 days for that to come back before I could start orientation. The position is open because they are adding more beds to a unit. The expansion should be done mid July. He said I could begin orientation of course prior to the new beds being open.

So, I left feeling very confident that he would be calling with an offer. And he did call 2 days later with an offer of pay to see if it was within my expected range. I accepted the pay offer. He said he would get back with me about when to come in for the drug test. That was a week and a half ago. I emailed him once several days ago just saying "thank you" and that I looked forward to coming in for my drug test/background check and orientation. He replied that same day saying that he had a meeting with the regional manager later that day about the new staffing matrix, etc, and would call me soon.

I am a nervous wreck. Was I correct in assuming I got the job when he made the offer of pay? He initially made it sound as though the drug test/etc would be the week after the interview, and orientation would begin the week after that, so my husband has let his boss know that we were going to be moving this month.

We can't actually move till I have a start date. We can't fill out rental applications for housing if I don't have the start date.

I am beginning to freak out a bit. We are in limbo right now.

I just need some advice...reassurance...something. I don't know. The drive there is 3.5 hours by the way.

And I am a new RN, with 3 years of non RN related experience working in that type of facility.

[klone, MSN, RN]

It sounds like yes, you were offered the job. However, the part about needing to meet with his manager about the "new staffing matrix" sounds to me as though he may have been told the position is no longer available to be filled, or perhaps a hiring freeze. I hope it's not the case and you have a firm start date soon!

[jessbsnrnpsych]

Thank you for replying. I hope he at least let's me know soon either way.

[Marshall1]

Did you ever hear anything?