Does going to orientation mean you have accepted the job?

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Mar 21, 2013

Yep it sure does unless you are going to orientation for free! Why didn't you ask questions when they called to ask you to come for orientation?

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2013

Yep it sure does unless you are going to orientation for free! Why didn't you ask questions when they called to ask you to come for orientation?

Yeah, I'm really confused as to how this hasn't come up already.

Racer15, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2013

Yep! When I was offered my current job, I was told that the job was mine if I wanted it, and then I was told what shift I would be on, and what my base pay would be. Probably need to call and clarify that.

pina88 · Mar 21, 2013

Well I am new at this, and everyone I have spoken to about interviews have told me not to mention salary because it sounds bad. All previous employers have initiated the conversation before calling me for an orientation, so I was a bit confused. This employer also told me they would call me to offer me the job after the interview, and was hoping to bring it up at that time except they just called and gave me an orientation time. I was going to go to the orientation to figure it out, but I didn't want it to mean that I would be taking the job. Next time I guess I will make sure to ask these questions before hand. Either way I chose the hospice position because it fit my schedule. I wish I would have known more about the other position before having to make the decision. I partially think its my fault for not asking question, but also believe employers should address these topics aswell. from your experience do you think its okay to ask about salary during the first interview?

Racer15, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2013

The job I have now is my first nursing job. I did not bring up pay in the interview. But when they called to offer me the job, you're darn skippy I made sure I knew what my pay would be. You get paid during orientation, you have a right to know what your pay will be. As new nurses in this economy, pay isn't really negotiable, but you sure do have a right to know what they plan to pay you before you show up for your first day of work!

DedHedRN · Mar 21, 2013

Little secret in the SNF world....its so low paying, they hope you wont ask what they pay until you get your first paycheck, then you will just look at it, be disappointed, but since you need the job... well, you keep on going in.

I would suggest you call them in the morning or if orientation is early, make sure you find out first thing what the hours and pay is before you waste 8 hours sitting there when you have another job offer on the table.

Hospice is a thinking quick on your feet, making judgement calls, and lots of skills on the fly type of job, it helps to have experience. Especially since you are mostly out there on your own in peoples homes and you need to really know what your doing since you don't have other nurses right there with you to ask questions, like you would in a facility where you wouldn't be the only nurse on the floor. I would suggest getting your feet wet before you try hospice. Its kinda the deep end of the pool of nursing. Some new grads can do it, many cannot.

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Mar 21, 2013

I accepted my first job without asking anything about pay, benefits or much else. I knew it was union, but none of the details. So I called HR, said, "I just accepted a job, but know nothing about the pay or benefits, can you give me some information?"

We got a chuckle about it, but I got the info I needed.

MJB2010 · Mar 21, 2013

Hi,
I recently obtained my license as an RN and have had no luck getting into a hospital here in the bay area. I recently got an offer to become a hospice nurse and another at a SNF. The problem I am having is that the SNF called me to go in for an orientation tomorrow, but has not told be what the hours or pay are like. I know all the information regarding the hospice job and wanted to know more about the SNF position before making a decision. does going to the orientation mean I have accepted the job??

I hope you told them no. Until you receive an offer and have all of those details IN WRITING you would be foolish to accept an orientation spot. Otherwise they can pay you whatever they want and you are accepting it! Now you know for next time. In the meantime I would delay orientation and ask for a formal offer from this place. Already sounds shady to me, i'd be more likely to go with the forthcoming place where you have all the info. They seem to have their ducks in a row, this snf does not.

sandyfeet · Mar 21, 2013

I agree that the SNF sounds shady. They would not offer orientation unless they expected you to start working, so that fact that they did not formally offer you a position/mention salary or benefits/have you sign anything makes it seem like they are trying to hide something. (I know you already stated you are going with the hospice job, but just wanted to add to the conversation.)