This question is solely based a dicussion at work.
A recent hired decided to part ways after about 8 days of training orientation usually last about 30 days or more depending on how long the person needs. Many of the staff members were upset and began to ridicule this nurse because of it.
In my opinion I think the orientation phase of the job is for either party (the job or the worker) to see if the job is a good fit. After all you won't know what kind of job it is unless you try. A co-worker of mine mentioned that every time he trains someone they run out the door and never come back LOL
Do you think it is wrong for a person to leave during orientation ? Share your opinion down below?
My current job is a LTC facility many of our patients take psychiatric medications and have behaviors (fighting, biting, scratching etc).
...For instance, I see a lot of posts from new grads where they accept job offer #1 and start orientation, and then weeks into orientation they get job offer #2 which of course is their "dream job" (?) and then quit job 1 for job 2.
I did that as a new grad, except it was 4 days into orientation on Job 1. At the time I felt was the right decision for my career, and it turns out it was.
It definitely is best for both the employee or employer to cut ties as soon as possible so nobody's time or resources are wasted. I only think it is "wrong" when someone goes into a job knowing they could quit very soon because of a known reason. For instance, I see a lot of posts from new grads where they accept job offer #1 and start orientation, and then weeks into orientation they get job offer #2 which of course is their "dream job" (?) and then quit job 1 for job 2.
This is not to say that I think someone should stay miserable at a job they hate or not take another opportunity that comes along unexpectedly, but rather that some planning and patience could prevent some of this situations from arising. You will burn your bridges otherwise, but sometimes things happen and it's not the end of the world.
Yet whenever a new grad posts asking for advice on this, the overwhelming majority tell said new grad to take the job that HAS been offered to them as there is no guarantee their "dream job" will come along. New grads can't be picky. I wouldn't blame them for quitting if they were lucky enough to get the offer they were really hoping for.
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
19 hours ago, Pinson said:
Some people are known to use orientation as easy money and have planned to leave during or after it is complete.
I find that shocking. However, that tactic can't work forever. What does their resume start to look like? Unless they take a series of s-hole jobs where no one looks at it too carefully.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
To answer the question in your title to the OP, "no it is not wrong". It's better to do so now, before you carry on too far. But don't leave without reporting your very valid concerns, to the appropriate people.
Life is too short to spend it doing something that makes you unhappy...No, it's not wrong to leave. I left two hospital jobs during orientation. I learned hospital nursing is not for me and that's ok. I now work case management and have for 10 years and I LOVE MY JOB!!! If I listened to other people and stayed bedside, I would have been miserable and made my family miserable. Not worth it...
Some people are known to use orientation as easy money and have planned to leave during or after it is complete. To alleviate this problem, we had to start paying for the orientation after 90 days of employment. Also, we started paying a little extra to staff who assist in the floor training process so they don't feel like all that work was for nothing.
So they're essentially working for free? That doesn't seem legal.
To alleviate this problem, we had to start paying for the orientation after 90 days of employment.
...I don't think that's legal...Employers are required to pay employees for mandatory education, which includes orientation. Right?
I completely understand making new hires sign a contract saying that they'll owe the hospital money if they leave before a certain date, but legally you have to pay your workers for their hours (including orientation), even if they quit. If a job had this parameter, I'd leave in a heartbeat.
I was thinking that too — referring to the post where the facility withheld payment for 90 days or whatever.
So if the nurse leaves a month in, and admin says “Whew, good thing we didn’t pay her yet!” ....... but the nurse showed up and worked for free? That doesn’t sound legal at all.
Even if s/he did stay and complete orientation, they just have zero income for 90 days and work full time?
This was the initial one week orientation prior to working on the floor. In addition, they signed an agreement form prior to starting orientation. So yes, completely legal.
I'm in a similar situation myself now. I got hired by two places, both PRN.
One is a LTC facility with 8 hour day shift, PRN part time. This works because I can fit it in nicely with the other job that is full time 12 hour dayshifts in a hospital.
However the LTC is now discussing going to 12 hour shifts and in order to keep both I'd end up working five 12 hour shifts a week.
I'm in orientation and on boarding at both but, my decision will have to come very soon because things have changed with the hours at the LTC. Likely that will be the one I let go because they are "changing" on me.
Kudos to you, lasted longer than many nurses. Some make a living out of doing nursing orientation and then quitting. Hey, I have bounced on a few crazy places. The excitement is in getting the badge, feeling new, hearing we are glad you chose us blah blah blah
CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN
840 Posts
I did that as a new grad, except it was 4 days into orientation on Job 1. At the time I felt was the right decision for my career, and it turns out it was.