Giving Notice without a "travel job" lined out

NedRN · Nov 29, 2014

You know that notice is not required, right? It is a courtesy and the standard is two weeks, not four weeks. Certainly you want to provide all the notice you can (especially in the OR where a staffing hole cannot be covered as easily as on other units), but if you cannot, you cannot. HR may be annoyed if you don't follow their internal policies, but it is your manager you want to keep happy. Even that doesn't matter if you have written references in hand (get them now!) and have no plans to ever return to that facility.

So that is the hardball advice should a rare assignment come up that you really want or if your employer is not playing nice. For a more friendly approach, I would discuss your plans with your manager. One solution that might work is providing official four week notice even earlier, and working past that four week period, in mini-extensions if you will a for a week at a time (travelers often use that device when their next assignment is not lined up yet). That allows your manager maximum time to find a replacement (which won't be easy in the OR), and provides you with extra flexibility as to which agency and assignment you chose and when the assignment starts.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Nov 30, 2014

Some hospitals require that you give more than two weeks notice in order to leave in good standing without burning any bridges. Four weeks is quite common, especially for nursing staff. I've seen two months notice required and my current manager asks for six months. Personally, I'd give my manager a heads up that I'm thinking of traveling and ask what her preference is.

NedRN · Nov 30, 2014

6 months? I thought indentured service ended in the 18th century!

More seriously, I don't think your manager will give you 6 months notice if the census changes. It is amazing to me that workers buy into the idea that the world revolves around employers. I'm very happy I'm a traveler and a free agent without open ended jobs. Very liberating.

PNW_NPstudent · Dec 1, 2014

My hospital required a 3 week notice for all non-provider professional staff, including RNs.

If you are very open and flexible about what and where your first assignment is, 4 weeks notice is plenty of time to secure a position. There are so many positions that are for "immediate" start date. Granted, you will need to be on top of doing everything in the meantime. Like getting your drug screen, physical, immunization records, credentials, etc. Not to mention the new state license. Some are super quick and others take eons.

I've seen a few jobs right now that are posting for mid-January start dates. The vast majority of positions are for much sooner.

Good luck and happy travels!

wanderlust99 · Dec 1, 2014

I think I put my notice in for 4 weeks and I thought that was very nice of me! I had my job lined up before I left. But I don't think in the current market that's as possible. And it depends on when you want to travel. A lot of the positions I see now are for ASAP start dates (start in 1-2 weeks) To get the units through the busy holiday season. I am preparing myself to be out of work a few weeks because I can't start until mid January after my current assignment ends.

Most important, make sure you have $$$ saved!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 1, 2014

6 months? I thought indentured service ended in the 18th century!
More seriously, I don't think your manager will give you 6 months notice if the census changes. It is amazing to me that workers buy into the idea that the world revolves around employers. I'm very happy I'm a traveler and a free agent without open ended jobs. Very liberating.

It takes six months to train a new nurse for the ICU, and a bit longer than that if you include recruiting and hiring. I don't think it's unreasonable to mention it to your nurse manager if you're looking to retire, graduate from NP school and seek an NP position, get married and move to Alaska, not return to work after your maternity leave or apply to anesthesia school.

NedRN · Dec 1, 2014

Thank goodness travel nursing isn't on your comprehensive list!

Steph RN · Dec 1, 2014

When you say, make sure you have $$$ saved, what does that mean? Are you referring to when I first start the assignment or for in between assignments?

NedRN · Dec 1, 2014

It is a wise recommendation to have 3 to 6 months living expenses saved up at all times. Travel nursing is much more unpredictable than ordinary jobs so the advice is especially pertinent. The first assignment has a higher risk than later assignments.

That is not always possible of course. Despite a frugal lifestyle, I did not have that when I started traveling. Good credit would have saved me I suppose had it been necessary.

Industrywide, one out of ten assignments fail to complete. There are ways to increase those odds dramatically but the question is not really if, but when will it happen to you.

Here is a not uncommon worst case scenario: assignment cancelled week three. Agency withholds final direct deposit and reverses (takes back) the prior deposit (and your checks start bouncing). You are told to leave your housing immediately. Now you are homeless and broke without enough gas to get to family.

So yes, now is always a good time to have savings. Try to make savings your early priority.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2014

If you take an assignment in a city where you have friends/relatives that you can stay with for free and pocket most of the housing stipend, you can really save up money that way and be prepared for when you really want to travel to a place where you know no one.