How do I leave this GOOD job????

movealong · Mar 9, 2004

Check to see if they mention leaves of absence in your handbook or in the benefit info you should have received when hired.

One boss let me take a leave of absence from a job for 8 weeks. We had a good relationship and so I got lucky.

elkpark · Mar 9, 2004

I agree with movealong -- you have a good reason for asking for a leave (getting married, which most people will feel positive about and "sympathetic" toward, in the sense of wanting to give you a break if possible); it's not just that you decided yesterday out of the blue that you'd rather spend the next three months in Louisiana ... The hospital, if it is big and civilized (as an employer) may well already have a policy about leaves-without-pay, or may just let you do it anyway, esp. if they value you as an employee. It is expensive and inefficient for them to actually HIRE someone permanently to replace you.

Certainly can't hurt to ask! Esp. if you make clear that you intend to return and the leave is definitely temporary. The worst that can happen is that they say no. The more open and pleasant and cooperative you are with them, the easier it is for them to give you what you want ...

jemommyRN · Mar 9, 2004

What school did you attend here in Louisiana? Just curious.

podnuh11 · Mar 10, 2004

I started at LSU medical center in New Orleans and graduated from USL ( now its ULL) in Lafayette Louisiana. Both schools have excellent nursing programs.

Anyway, thanks for the input and suggestions. I feel a little more confident about this new transition. Can anyone IM me or email me with a good, reliable travel agency to sign with? I've been doing a little research on line but some personal experience from RN's out there would really help

Thanks again. George

What school did you attend here in Louisiana? Just curious.

grumpynurse · Mar 10, 2004

George,

Go to this site. There is a wealth of information here and lots of info from other travel nurses about good/bad companies.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/travelnurses

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 10, 2004

I recommend making an appointment with your manager and asking if there are any options that would enable you to leave for a short period and then return without any loss of seniority, etc. You might get lucky -- and by talking with him/her directly, emphasizing that you like your current job and wish to return, etc. you will probably stay on good terms. Then, after hearing your options, you can make an informed decision. Whatever you finally decide, it should be put in writing (politely) so that it can be included in your personnel file. Of course you should give plenty of notice (at least 2 weeks, longer is better) and don't do anything nasty (such as leaving right before a holiday or calling is sick frequently to use up your sick time, etc). You want to make sure they have a good impression of you as you leave.

The hospital that I work for does not allow people to leave temporarily to take a travel assignment elsewhere. In fact, to discourage the development of a work force that "comes and goes" frequently, we don't allow people who leave to take a travel assignment to return to their old unit until they have been gone or at least a year. They may return to the hospital, but they must work on another unit. That may seem unfair, and it sometimes means we have to spend a few resources orienting them to another unit, but we feel there needs to be some "price to pay" for creating a hole in the schedule that needs to be filled -- and by having him/her work on another unit for a while (which shouldn't be too painful for a traveler), we end up with an employee who is more versatile.

llg