Can a hospital retract their job offer

roser13, ASN, RN · Jul 7, 2016

I'm sorry for your experience. But yes, of course, a job offer can be rescinded. Unless & until you sign a contract, an offer is just an offer.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2016

That does not sound like a contract. And it probably had a clause stating that employment was "at will" and that either party is free to terminate the employment at any time.

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Jul 7, 2016

I was offered a new grad night shift position in writing at a Hospital in Maryland. I did all my requirements even a physical. Dring the physical the nurse decided that she thought something was wrong with my neck and I had to go see a doc about it. I had to pay out of pocket cost to go and see a doc when I made it clear that I was fine ( . The results came back that I was fine. I purchased my uniform and was getting ready to start orientation this Monday. I got a call from the nursing recruiter saying that management decided not to offer this position any longer. My start date was one month for the position and now all other positions are gone. What can I do I am at a lost. There was no reasonable explanation given except we no longer offer this position. I still have my uniform which I payed for. I signed all the paperwork included how much I would be payed etc ( would that amount to a contract

That sounds rough, but I don't see how you'd have any recourse ...the same way they would have no recourse if they'd invested in you (background check, physical, etc.) and you'd changed your mind.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 7, 2016

You likely had a contingent job offer. Just like you could have backed out, the employer can and will without a reason or simply saying the position is no longer available.

The fact that you paid for a uniform is irrelevant. If it was not customized see if you can return for a refund.

Brush up your resume and start looking for employment elsewhere

nadomel · Jul 7, 2016

Well it was really disappointed the way they go about it . I just came home and started actively looking somewhere else after waiting a whole month and to be told at the last min. It really hurts, but I believed that there is a better job out there. I am curious about the contract part . Is there a different contract that i should have signed that would have said the job is mine even though I signed to say I accepted the job. When I signed all the paperwork I was not told about any other documents that I needed to sign.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jul 7, 2016

Singing an offer does not equate to a contract; when you signed the offer letter, it would've at least stared that in the language of the document.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Jul 7, 2016

Well it was really disappointed the way they go about it . I just came home and started actively looking somewhere else after waiting a whole month and to be told at the last min. It really hurts, but I believed that there is a better job out there. I am curious about the contract part . Is there a different contract that i should have signed that would have said the job is mine even though I signed to say I accepted the job. When I signed all the paperwork I was not told about any other documents that I needed to sign.

All of the paperwork that you sign has contingencies. And the contingencies mean that your backround check, physical, etc. are to the "standard" of the facility. Unfortunetely, in the course of this, there was something that did not meet the standard of the facility, therefore, your offer was rescinded.

Personally, in my opinion, it more than likely was the "neck issue" as if you tweaked it at work, then it becomes a workman's comp/accommodation thing. Projecting, but never the less...

As "right to work" becomes the loophole by which nurses are let go up to and any time after working, this can be very common. And scary to say the least.

The only thing you can do is to move on and send out those resumes.

Best wishes.

Wuzzie · Jul 7, 2016

As "right to work" becomes the loophole by which nurses are let go up to and any time after working, this can be very common. And scary to say the least.

Just a point of clarification. "Right to work" has to do with unions. The correct term is "employment at will".

Not busting your chops it's just makes for some confusion.

nadomel · Jul 7, 2016

Well, thank u for your opinions I just wish I knew what the reason was. I was told it was nothing I did because they had to do the same to others that they had recruited as well. I can only speculate and stressed myself out at this moment which will not do be any good. I am thankful that the nurse recruiter is trying to find me another position within the group. Take away lesson I will not stop looking for a job whether I am hired are not.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jul 7, 2016

Losing a job offer stinks. You did not have a contract. Instead of focusing on the non issue of the uniform... find out the real reason.

Ask the recruiter WHY it was rescinded. You need this information to move on. If it WAS the results of the physical... you need to know how to handle (whatever the neck thing is) in the future.

Best of luck. Come back and tell us about your new job.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2016

Well it was really disappointed the way they go about it . I just came home and started actively looking somewhere else after waiting a whole month and to be told at the last min. It really hurts, but I believed that there is a better job out there. I am curious about the contract part . Is there a different contract that i should have signed that would have said the job is mine even though I signed to say I accepted the job. When I signed all the paperwork I was not told about any other documents that I needed to sign.

Most non-union nursing jobs do not offer a contract. A job offer is not binding.