I interviewed at a sub-acute rehab facility and was called by the nurse recruiter to inform me the nurse manager would like to offer me the position. I asked for 24 hrs to mull it over.
I don't want to work in sub-acute and I have interviews lined up in a hospital (where I would actually like to work).
What would be the best way to go about declining the offer to the sub-acute facility? Any sample wording would be very much appreciated!
After they took the time to interview her, they probably won't appreciate her turning down their offer, no matter what the reason.
An interview is just a meeting to learn more about the position (candidate's point of view) and the candidate (facility's point of view). Neither side is obligated to accept an offer of employment simply because they took the time to meet. That's why recruiting, interviewing, hiring, etc. is such an expensive process for a facility - they have to accept that some interviews just aren't going to pay off, even the ones that lead to a job offer.
However, I disagree that OP should accept the job and quit if something else comes along a few months later. OP, could you negotiate to stay 1 year instead of 2, then re-evaluate? As a new grad, you'll need that first year in order to be marketable, and who knows? Maybe you'll like the position and want to stay. But this is a bird in the hand, so to speak, and if NYC really is as competitive as another poster mentioned, I think it's in your best interests to negotiate the best option for yourself and play by the rules. A year or two of your professional career really isn't that much when new grads are already at a disadvantage in the job market.
Did you sign a contract or will have to sign one stating you will stay X2 years upon start? Look, employers will say many things and have many request but none of it is legally binding. I would take the position and continue to look for acute care positions as you have no guarantee of any other position. Besides you might like it.
A simple, thank you for the offer but I have decided not to take the position.
Why did you waste your time to fill out an application as well as interview if you had no intention of working sub-acute? Just curious.
I submitted my resume to the hospital network (network of many large hospitals in the area) and a talent acquisition specialist contacted me about this position. I went on the interview to learn more about it.
Did you sign a contract or will have to sign one stating you will stay X2 years upon start? Look, employers will say many things and have many request but none of it is legally binding. I would take the position and continue to look for acute care positions as you have no guarantee of any other position. Besides you might like it.
I didn't sign anything, it was just an interview and the NM was saying how many new nurses she hires leave after a year so she wants me to promise to stay for 2 years if she hired me.
I definitely don't want sub acute. It's not something that will contribute to my plans for being accepted into a graduate school. Also in my area subacute pays significantly less than acute.
I have yet to decline a nursing position post-interview, so I am curious how you handled it.
I called the recruiter and thanked him and the NM for their time but I unfortunately have decided not to go with the offer. He asked why (as suspected) and I gave my honest answer. That was all, pretty painless.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I submitted my resume to the hospital network (network of many large hospitals in the area) and a talent acquisition specialist contacted me about this position. I went on the interview to learn more about it.
If the subacute position is part of a greater hospital network, you could have been eligible to transfer to ICU, med/surg, ER, telemetry, stepdown, or any number of other roles after 6 months of rehab nursing.
A recruiter's request to "Stay for two years" is not legally binding and means nothing. When all is said and done, internal applicants are preferred. Most of us never see the same recruiter again after the hiring process, anyway.
It wasn't the recruiter's request to stay for 2 years, it was the nurse manager's request for me to stay on for 2 years. I couldn't promise that, nor do I want to work in sub-acute even for a short amount of time. I'm fortunate enough to be able to hold off until I receive an offer from a position that's right for me.
NOADLS
832 Posts
Send them a cake with your decline decorated on it.