Resigning before 6 month probation period - ineligible for rehire?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in BSN, RN, CCRN - ICU & ER.

I recently started a new job where the probationary period is 6 months. If an employee resigns before the 6 month mark, they are labeled ineligible for rehire by the hospital. I am not a new nurse and the current position is just not a good fit.

I have a consistent job record and worked at my last nursing job for over 2 years. If I resign my current position and I am labeled ineligible for rehire, will this hurt my career prospects? I would assume being labeled ineligible for rehire would make some employers view the applicant in a negative light, no? Or would an explanation stating I am ineligible for rehire because I resigned during the 6 month probation period of a job that was not a good fit be enough of an explanation?

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

You never know. It's a gamble.

Some people might look at that history in the future and be hesitant to hire you, thinking that you had made a poor choice -- or accepted a job as just a temporary gig until a better one came along, etc. and not want to hire you. If they have other qualified applicants, they might choose the other person. However other potential employers might might be less bothered by it and/or not have other equally qualified applicants to choose from.

Let's face it: it's not going to make you look good and/or help you get another job in the future. But how much it will hurt you in the future is not knowable as it will depend on the particular circumstances.

I recommend getting another job lined up before you quit. Then stick with that other job for a while regardless of whether you like it or not. Once you get a good track record from another job, then the one "black mark" won't hurt you much.

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I would not knowingly do this to myself. Make the effort to hang on long enough to get yourself out of this category. Being "blacklisted", no matter the circumstances, is no picnic.

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Specializes in BSN, RN, CCRN - ICU & ER.
You never know. It's a gamble.

Some people might look at that history in the future and be hesitant to hire you, thinking that you had made a poor choice -- or accepted a job as just a temporary gig until a better one came along, etc. and not want to hire you. If they have other qualified applicants, they might choose the other person. However other potential employers might might be less bothered by it and/or not have other equally qualified applicants to choose from.

Let's face it: it's not going to make you look good and/or help you get another job in the future. But how much it will hurt you in the future is not knowable as it will depend on the particular circumstances.

I recommend getting another job lined up before you quit. Then stick with that other job for a while regardless of whether you like it or not. Once you get a good track record from another job, then the one "black mark" won't hurt you much.

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I should have mentioned I do have another job offer lined up already. The new employer who made the offer knows about my short tenure at my present employer. Once at my new job, I would never consider leaving again so soon so would this balance out the short position?

Thanks again.

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Specializes in BSN, RN, CCRN - ICU & ER.
I would not knowingly do this to myself. Make the effort to hang on long enough to get yourself out of this category. Being "blacklisted", no matter the circumstances, is no picnic.

Thanks caliotter for the response. I have another job offer on the table which includes increased leadership responsibilities. If I leave and take the new job, I would plan to stay there a number of years as they offer a generous reimbursement for grad school. Would this balance out with the short time at the other job and my otherwise long-term record?

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

Are you sure about this? Every place I've ever worked considered the introductory probation period as one where either party can terminate the relationship at any time. If so, you'd still want to be sure to give proper notice.

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What does it matter? Leave the employer out of your work history. Problem solved. Or just don't mention being ineligible for rehire.

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Specializes in BSN, RN, CCRN - ICU & ER.
Are you sure about this? Every place I've ever worked considered the introductory probation period as one where either party can terminate the relationship at any time. If so, you'd still want to be sure to give proper notice.

MrChicagoRN - I agree with your statement. I had always heard the employer or employee could terminate the relationship during the probation period for any reason without further issue. Being ineligible for rehire was mentioned by a staff member in HR which is why I posed my question. I agree with never resigning a position without proper notice as it is extremely unprofessional.

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Specializes in BSN, RN, CCRN - ICU & ER.
What does it matter? Leave the employer out of your work history. Problem solved. Or just don't mention being ineligible for rehire.

GeneralistRN - I don't think I would risk leaving it off a resume only to have it uncovered during a background check. It would make me appear dishonest. I've heard most background checks can see employer contributions/payments made to applicants.

I would never mention being ineligible for rehire, but I think sometimes jobs old employers are asked that by new employers.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I should have mentioned I do have another job offer lined up already. The new employer who made the offer knows about my short tenure at my present employer. Once at my new job, I would never consider leaving again so soon so would this balance out the short position?

Thanks again.

As long as you stay in that new job for a longer period (e.g. 2 years), then you would probably be OK. If asked, explaining that it wasn't what you thought was ... was a bad fit ... etc. would probably be sufficient. Most employers would be OK with that -- as long as it doesn't happen again and become a pattern with you.

And do NOT leave it off future applications. Lying gets people in more trouble than the original "sin."

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
What does it matter? Leave the employer out of your work history. Problem solved. Or just don't mention being ineligible for rehire.

Do NOT leave the job off future applications, etc. Getting caught in a lie is usually worse than the original problem. The Ryan Lotche situation is a great example of that. The "cover up" is worse than the crime.

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Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.
Do NOT leave the job off future applications, etc. Getting caught in a lie is usually worse than the original problem. The Ryan Lotche situation is a great example of that. The "cover up" is worse than the crime.
Absolutely, although I was thinking of Martha Stewart going to prison not for insider trading but for lying to investigators.

Trustworthiness and honesty are perhaps the paramount characteristics of a nurse. Do not start down that slippery slope.

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