Would you leave a new job for a better offer??

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele/Onc.

I work in Oncology and started applying for outpatient chemo clinic positions several months back. I had an interview with a clinic within my hospital organization that went very well, but I didn't end up getting the job. I few weeks later, I interviewed and got a position at another outpatient chemo clinic within a different hospital organization. I started there three weeks ago and really like it.

Today,I got a call from the original interviewer saying they had another opening and she would like to consider me for the job if I'm interested. I apparently was their 2nd choice before. (I know who they hired and she has tons more experience than me. I would have hired her over me too!) I told her thank you, but no...just started the new job.

My husband was a little surprised that I didn't even really consider it. The new job actually pays $2.00 less an hour than I made before. However, I work 40hrs a week instead of 36, so it really isn't that much difference in gross pay. The health insurance was a lot less expensive at my old job as well. If I had gotten the first job, it would have been a latteral move inside the organization, so I would have kept my senority (only two years) my PTO and my pay rate, same benefits, etc. Now I'm changing health insurance, dental insurance (significant for my DD's orthodantia), starting on the bottom of the seniority ladder, etc. Those negatives, however, were not significant enough for me to turn my new position down.

I feel like I've made a commitment to the new place and I have an obligation to stay there for awhile. It just feels wrong to "up and quit" for a better offer after only three weeks. Plus, these two organizations tend to hire back and forth alot and it's a small community. I think my reputation might be damaged, which would be worse in the long run.

My husband asked if they would be that loyal to me? Well, if the person I replaced came back and said they wanted their old job back, I don't think they would fire me to give it to them. However, I'm not naive enough to think that they wouldn't lay me off if times got tough some day.

What would you do? If I had been offered both positions at the same time, I probably would have taken the first one I interviewed for. But that's not the way it happened. I made a different choice and I feel like the honorable thing to do is stay where I am.

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The fact that it's been only 3 weeks since you started your new job and it's a small community really makes a big difference. People probably go back and forth between the organizations and I'm sure a potential employer might hear about you leaving a job after 3 weeks. I think you made the better decision.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

SOme hospitals have a policy that your senority is reinstated if you return within 30 or 60 days........ then weight the benifit versus risk. They must be impreessed eith you to call yoiu back and seek you out.....something to consider!

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Screw honorable - they would let you go in a heart beat if they needed to cut back. It is not like you are the only nurse on the planet able to work there, in this market they would find another nurse in no time. If the other job is REALLY the one you want for the next few years, you should seize it.

Ok, here are the caveats - you were asked to interview, so it is not definite, yet. I'd absolutly have gone to the interview and confirm all the details of the offered job. Then, if you still wanted it, meet with your current manager and resign gracefully. They can decide if they want to keep you for a traditional 2 weeks notice, they may not since you are still in an oritentation phase. They may have sweetened your deal if they wanted to fight or you.

Either way, people change jobs all the time for all sorts of reasons. You need to think of your long range personal and career goals. Which job advances these, then choose.

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Specializes in Geriatrics and Quality Improvement,.

For any job you should always do what is best for you and your family.

If you think that staying at the job you have for 3 weeks is worth the effort, then do so. You never know what is really down the pike for any of us.

I was offered a job 20 minutes from my house at the same time I was offer a job 45 minutes from my house. EVERYONE in my neighborhood works at this place.

Both had pros and cons.

While I was filling out the paperwork for background check, and getting my picture taken, I was still unsure.

I went through both processes and decided when we were supposed to be scheduling my orientation that I would go with the 45 minute drive. I decided to do what was better for the perceived long run, and so far it is paying off. Crazy some said.. 13 years later.... I have changed position 4x in this one building, the last one was a move up, not lateral.

Go with your gut.

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I've actually done this--left a job after a few weeks because the job I originally wanted became available. You have to do what is right for you. You say that you really like your new job, so you should feel good about the decision. Each person needs to balance the whole package of your personal situation (home life, job satisfaction, financial). Leaving a job after a short time is not something you want to make a habit -- but sometimes it's what you need to do. Sounds like you do enjoy your new job though, so I'd say be happy where you are for a while!

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I started a job 3 weeks ago and they were only giving me 27hrs/week, 14.50 pay and no benefits.

I was offered a job making 24.50, 44hrs/week and benefits.

I jumped ship in a heartbeat! My boss was ticked, but what did she expect, I was very underemployed when I was working for her.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I think if you follow your gut you can't go wrong. Your gut reaction was to say no. I think you did the right thing.

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SOme hospitals have a policy that your senority is reinstated if you return within 30 or 60 days........ then weight the benifit versus risk. They must be impreessed eith you to call yoiu back and seek you out.....something to consider!

That's a really good point. If you get your seniority back it might be worth it.

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Specializes in Critical Care/Coronary Care Unit,.

personally, if i could keep my seniority and all of the other perks associated with the job you actually wanted since it would be a lateral move within the company...i would take that job, especially if it pays more and you liked the company. as far as loyalty to a company is concerned, either job wouldn't mind laying you off if they had to...so do what's best for you and your family. then again, i'm not from small town...i'm from miami...so there are plenty of hospitals to pick from....but you still have to do what's best for your family. plus, i just changed jobs after working at one hospital for a month when i was offered a job in the icu that's closer to home. good luck.

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A very intersting topic, your thoughts would definitely help if I bump into this kind of situation... Thank you all...

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

You sound happy with your current job. The second offer is an unknown. I wonder why they need another new nurse so soon. I wouldn't change jobs unless there was clear and convincing evidence that it would be better for you. Too many people jump ship, only to realize that they've landed in the deep end of the ocean without a lifeboat.

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