Anyone made to actually work two more weeks when resigning during orientation?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I'm getting ready to resign and will give the standard two week notice but just wondered how much of a chance I had of them making me actually work those two weeks since I'm still in orientation. I know it really woudn't make sense to me but maybe they would have a reason. I just wondered how quickly they released you once you resign. Also, I want to resign on Friday. Do I show up for work as usual, clock in, change into scrubs, then find the manager? Do I just walk in and hand it to her first thing without doing all the above? Should I work all day then find her? Should I find her Thurs afternoon at the end of the shift and tell her? I just don't know what the proper way to handle this is. Which way would make the most sense? Also what if she's not there? We don't have a second in charge-would I just go to Human Resources? Sometimes she's just out for the day with no notice. Thanks for any help.

I didn't realize this would get so much controversy or that two to three days would make that much difference to some people. Thanks to those who had helpful advice. I did go ahead and show up this morning and caught the manager first thing and told her I was resigning. She was very gracious and asked me to go clock in, change into scrubs, and work until she talked to Human Resources. Later she told me I could find another job in the hospital if I wanted or go ahead and go. Human Resources really wanted me to stay two more weeks to follow hospital policy. I left it up to them to figure out. In the end they decided to let me go if I wanted. If I hadn't wanted to they would've let me go ahead and work two more weeks even though I'm in orientation. They said I could come back and re-apply anytime and I would be eligible for re-hire. I wasn't trying to be unethical or immoral. I was trying to make sure my family wasn't left out in the cold. When most people quit a job, a two week period of working is guaranteed before they start a new job and I didn't have that guarantee.I found out my insurance is paid up through the end of the month so I didn't have to worry about that and apparently the hospital wasn't as worried as some of the people here that I was robbing them since they asked me to clock in and work and left if up to me when I left. I know it didn't make perfect sense to keep me on but it did to them since I was still a big help to the staff even though I'm technically in orientation. I'm just glad it went well and it's done.

I didn't realize this would get so much controversy or that two to three days would make that much difference to some people. Thanks to those who had helpful advice. I did go ahead and show up this morning and caught the manager first thing and told her I was resigning. She was very gracious and asked me to go clock in, change into scrubs, and work until she talked to Human Resources. Later she told me I could find another job in the hospital if I wanted or go ahead and go. Human Resources really wanted me to stay two more weeks to follow hospital policy. I left it up to them to figure out. In the end they decided to let me go if I wanted. If I hadn't wanted to they would've let me go ahead and work two more weeks even though I'm in orientation. They said I could come back and re-apply anytime and I would be eligible for re-hire. I wasn't trying to be unethical or immoral. I was trying to make sure my family wasn't left out in the cold. When most people quit a job, a two week period of working is guaranteed before they start a new job and I didn't have that guarantee.I found out my insurance is paid up through the end of the month so I didn't have to worry about that and apparently the hospital wasn't as worried as some of the people here that I was robbing them since they asked me to clock in and work and left if up to me when I left. I know it didn't make perfect sense to keep me on but it did to them since I was still a big help to the staff even though I'm technically in orientation. I'm just glad it went well and it's done.

I'm glad it worked out for you.

I'm glad that you had a good departure and that everything worked out for you. You definitely want "eligible for rehire" in your employee notes.

Hope the new job is good for you.

Yes, I want them to pay me through Friday because I need the money and insurance through them until my new insurance kicks in. Sorry-that's the way it is. I think it would be more rude and unprofessional to let them finish paying for my orientation (3 more months) and then say I'm leaving. I'm quitting because I found a better job and when they hired me they told me several things that I've since learned was not true and will not work for me. I just wanted to hear from people who actually went through this, not to be judged on my decision. Thank you CrunchRN for your help.

Personally, I wouldn't keep you. Nothing personal, buy why keep someone who's not staying. Business end always wins.

Bold part- you're right.

You have to do what's best for you because the company sure will but leave on good terms Your new job could be worse than this one and in this economy nobody should be burning bridges remember heaqlthcare is such a small field you usually see the same people and people do remember You may have to pick the lesser of 2 evils and besides you don't know what companies they own or are affiliated with so many companies own more than 1 business and if you are ineligible for 1 then for the others also

I didn't realize this would get so much controversy or that two to three days would make that much difference to some people. Thanks to those who had helpful advice. I did go ahead and show up this morning and caught the manager first thing and told her I was resigning. She was very gracious and asked me to go clock in, change into scrubs, and work until she talked to Human Resources. Later she told me I could find another job in the hospital if I wanted or go ahead and go. Human Resources really wanted me to stay two more weeks to follow hospital policy. I left it up to them to figure out. In the end they decided to let me go if I wanted. If I hadn't wanted to they would've let me go ahead and work two more weeks even though I'm in orientation. They said I could come back and re-apply anytime and I would be eligible for re-hire. I wasn't trying to be unethical or immoral. I was trying to make sure my family wasn't left out in the cold. When most people quit a job, a two week period of working is guaranteed before they start a new job and I didn't have that guarantee.I found out my insurance is paid up through the end of the month so I didn't have to worry about that and apparently the hospital wasn't as worried as some of the people here that I was robbing them since they asked me to clock in and work and left if up to me when I left. I know it didn't make perfect sense to keep me on but it did to them since I was still a big help to the staff even though I'm technically in orientation. I'm just glad it went well and it's done.

:up:

I'm glad it worked out :)

Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

To the OP, I'm glad it worked out for you.

One shift v an entire orientation period? Not comparable.

Her mind was made up, so the screaming about costs was moot. My point was that calling off is costly, too, but there is relatively little uproar about that around here.

And there's a difference between covering a shift for an actual employee and someone who (I believe) is being unethical and immoral.

Oh, please. Unethical and immoral? Really? Anyone who intends to quit any type of job weighs their own personal needs to decide on the day to submit a resignation, new grad on orientation or not. I would question the person who doesn't think about those things!

Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

Let me know how green that grass is on the other side....

This job I just quit WAS the other side and no it wasn't any greener which is why I'm going back. I don't regret trying though because now I know what I'm not missing.

Glad you were able to leave on good terms, OP!

I think your questions were very valid. I was in a similar situation once, and I was let go minutes after I gave my 2 weeks notice. The bottom line was, they didn't think it made sense to continue training me on orientation, only to have me leave.

Had I come here for advice first, to hear from others who have been through it, I definitely would have waited a bit longer before giving notice. I was completely unprepared to not have work for the 2 weeks that followed.

I could see where it might not seem fair to the company, but you have to do what's in your best interest. After all, employers always do. If that's considered being selfish, so be it.

I believe in being professional and considerate, and I think you handled your situation that way. Only you know your exact reasons for leaving. And whether they want to admit it or not, most people would take a better offer in heartbeat, especially if they were unhappy at a job or it wasn't working out for them, for whatever reason.

Specializes in geriatrics.

I'd like to think I'm a pretty good employee. I'm reliable, don't take too many sick days, and I try my best to meet expectations. HOWEVER, after having worked for 25 years, I've learned a thing or two about workplace politics. Take care of yourself first. In the end, the employer is going to do the same....each and every time, where it suits them. There is no loyalty anymore. If another opportunity presents itself, take it.

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