HIRED AS A NEW GRAD

[Rich_]

Hello Everybody,

If a hospital hires you as a new grad and trains you etc., but does not make you sign a contract. How long are you unofficially "obligated" to work for that hospital? How many years or months should you minimally stay with them out of respect for the unit/ manager that hires you.

THANKS

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

A year would be good ettiquette

[2mint]

My CNA job has a 90-day probation period, so just add 90 days after you're off training/orientation. But at minimum, try to "give back" 30 days after training. But if the training is 6 months, then try to finish up that first year with them.

Recap:

Minimum - unless there's an imminent physical/mental danger, 30 days

Rule of thumb - 90 days or commensurate with the length of training

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

My CNA job has a 90-day probation period, so just add 90 days after you're off training/orientation. But at minimum, try to "give back" 30 days after training. But if the training is 6 months, then try to finish up that first year with them.

Recap:

Minimum - unless there's an imminent physical/mental danger, 30 days

Rule of thumb - 90 days or commensurate with the length of training

Interesting perspective, but this does not take into account the actual costs associated with on-boarding new grads. I have a bigger question.... why is OP automatically assuming that 'moving on' ASAP is a good career strategy?

[EllaBella1, BSN]

I think a year is respectful if there is no contract, but I wouldn't force yourself to stay that long if the work environment is terrible. If it's just that you're bored/want to work in another area, etc then I would think it would be respectful to tough it out and give them some hours to pay back the expense of training you. If the environment is terrible then that's another story, but be prepared to explain to new potential employers the reason for leaving so soon.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

If there is no contract, you are not obligated to work any length of time for anyone. So focus on what would be best for YOU and YOUR career.

That would be staying there at least a year so you're past the new grad black hole (i.e., having less than a year's experience, where you no longer qualify for new grad positions but have too little experience for most nursing jobs) and you don't look like you bailed on your first job when things got tough. Two years would be even better for you, your career development and your resume. And there's no crime in staying at one place for even longer than that.

Of course, this presumes that working conditions are tolerable. They don't have to be all sunshine and roses. But at least they're such so they're not hostile and/or you're in danger of risking your license.

Best of luck.

[RunBabyRN]

I think there isn't really a standard, but probably MINIMUM a year. Ideally two or more. I'd look more at the reasons you're considering leaving.

[Rich_]

Thanks for all the helpful advice.

I started right off in ICU and have 7 months exp. but I am commuting 1.5 hrs to work without traffic. I feel obligated to stay with the company longer because they gave me my first shot, but I think the driving back and forth is starting to take toll. There are big hospitals much closer to my home but will they hire a new grad with 7 months exp. how much longer should I wait?

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

There are big hospitals much closer to my home but will they hire a new grad with 7 months exp. how much longer should I wait?

Doesn't hurt to start applying now.