I signed on for a 5K bonus at a hospital in PA, committing to a year. I was a NG and now have a year of experience. It was a bad experience and I wouldn't recommend a contract to any new nurse. I've almost made it to a whole year when I can finally leave without having to owe the hospital any money.
My contract ends on July 14th. It's a Tuesday. I work Thursday, Friday, Saturday night that week, the 16th, 17th, 18th. So, if I put in my notice exactly two weeks before my contract ends, the 14th, I won't actually work the second week because it's at the end of the week.
My question is if I should expect them to ask me to finish off that week? Would that be reasonable? Can I say no? Would HR give me a hard time for having not worked that full week? Is this a *** thing to do? I guess I'm wondering the meaning/extend of "two week's notice," with our irregular rotating nurse schedules. I honestly forget if I did this on purpose. I might have.
All I care about is avoiding being accused of breaking contract in any way whatsoever. I don't want to directly screw over my floor, and my managers already know that I am leaving. I just can't wait to get away from this environment, which I feel is very toxic.
Does anyone have any perspective on this; what I can expect to happen, so I can plan my big cross-country move the week after?
Maybe this is a non-issue. They will have already given their recommendations by then.
Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
I may have missed it, but you may want to find about notice. I was always told that an RN has to give 30 days, not 2 weeks.
I changed jobs and gave 2 weeks. Then I was informed that I needed to give 30 days in order to be "eligible for rehire". Luckily I was able to make up the needed shifts as I went to a job that was 3-12s.
I left my job for a better job, I was not unhappy with the job I left. Nursing is a very small world and try not to ever burn a bridge. In my exit interview, I was honest.
As another posted has stated, I would try to be as honest as possible as to why you are leaving, but do not make it something like "you suck" (I know you wouldn't, but you can make it about you).
I recommend being very clear in your resignation letter. I have always included a sentence along the lines of: "My last day/shift of availability for work will be Wednesday day shift, June 15th." (or whatever) That way, you have the documentation that you were available up to and through the last day of your contract -- but that you won't be available to work for them after June 15th. Then you can hand in the letter any time you want (as long as it meets their "2 week" requirement.)
Definitely-I had this letter (and email) to refer to when I was called three weeks later a week into my new job asking me where I was for my shift. What? I delivered letter in person too, had sit down conversation, and HR requested an exit interview? What part of effective this date, last date of employment such and such date was misunderstood? You thought it was next week? Find a calendar already.
Don't play around with dates; work the full two week notice. In the end, it'll be nothing, but not burning a bridge is a very good habit to get into.
In my 40+ years in healthcare in the USA & UK I have burned a few bridges along the way. It's not a smart move...each one of those events came back to bit me! I agree with everyone else it seems, work out your full year contract to the hour. Don't give them any way to give you grief. Leave with a smile on your face and a clean work record. Lessons I learned the hard way.
Hey all, I spoke with HR and we do have a 2 week policy for non-exempt employees! I was very sure to ask about nurses specifically.
Exempt employees give 3 weeks.
Nurse managers/supervisors give 4 weeks.
I don't believe HR will go and tell my manager that I asked them this question. But if they do, it's not like I'm doing anything wrong. And, in a week I give my 2-weeks.
To be safe I would give the 2 week notice 7/14, after completion of a year. If the culture is toxic why risk them firing you on the spot which would leave you on the hook for the bonus and technically being terminated before 1 year? Protect yourself.
Sometimes when employees give two weeks notice, employers don't necessarily want these employees to continue to work for them. They may not trust they will perform as the job requires because they are departing (they don't know why). So they tell them they are no longer needed in the workplace. I would wait to give the notice until you have fulfilled the contract. Ex: disgruntled mechanic working on an airplane. Do we trust him with the plane and lives at stake since he decided to give resignation? nope see ya.
Specializes in Med-Surg., LTC,, OB/GYN, L& D,, Office.
First look back 0contractually the exact recommendations and try to abide by those stipulations.( no matter distasteful you may have found the past year, I do believe you would want to leave with as little disruption as possible.) My hope is that you haven't been overtly negative about your opinion and that word hasn't gotten out that you're planning on leaving. In any case you had to have had some positive encounters and learning experiences that will take you forward into your career.
I don't believe HR will go and tell my manager that I asked them this question. But if they do, it's not like I'm doing anything wrong. And, in a week I give my 2-weeks.
Better keep your nose extremely clean. The cat is out of the bag and HR most assuredly will notify your manager. If she is any way retaliatory she could start nit-picking you to death and that could end badly for you. Fly under the radar as best you can.
Also, probably should be pointed out that it's easier to get a job if you are currently employed, especially in light of Covid related budget cuts. You might want to rethink your position on taking a break from working.
mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN
3,322 Posts
I may have missed it, but you may want to find about notice. I was always told that an RN has to give 30 days, not 2 weeks.
I changed jobs and gave 2 weeks. Then I was informed that I needed to give 30 days in order to be "eligible for rehire". Luckily I was able to make up the needed shifts as I went to a job that was 3-12s.
I left my job for a better job, I was not unhappy with the job I left. Nursing is a very small world and try not to ever burn a bridge. In my exit interview, I was honest.
As another posted has stated, I would try to be as honest as possible as to why you are leaving, but do not make it something like "you suck" (I know you wouldn't, but you can make it about you).