How much time can I take between offer and start date?

Nurses Job Hunt

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I had a really great interview on Friday. I'm not sure but think I may have an offer. However, I am looking at my calendar and my kids' schedule for the summer, and I am cringing by the amount a sitter would have to handle with the new hours this job requires. I also have a week of vacation I was going to ask about. I am thinking, if I could just start in August I would be okay on all fronts.

So - How much time do you usually give between the offer and your start date? Besides giving 2,3,4 week notice to your present employer, is it okay to put off the start date until later because of vacation plans, and just out of convenience? I really don't want to mess anything up in terms of a job offer of course. But I wouldn't want to turn it down just because of the next 2 months' chaos either.

Thanks for any insight.

No that's not okay around here.

In my experience, they will give you a start date and that's it. Not really negotiable.

In addition, all the hospitals around here start ALL nurses on the same day all together one time each month.

You're being hired bc they are short staffed, I doubt they will say "oh okay we will continue to be short while you stay home and enjoy the summer."

It stinks, but that's the reality in my area.

Thanks for your reply. I guess that's true. Although I would not in any way be "enjoying my summer" unless you count caring for a bunch of wild children and driving them to various activities and making sure they don't drown. It's honestly a matter of child care during the summer.

I just need to give up job hunting for now, or focus on finding something my schedule can handle at the moment.

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