2 Job Offers..How to turn one down??

ICU, RN, BSN, B.S. · Sep 15, 2011

Have you signed anything at the other job? Or just did a telephone acceptance? Ask your mom what to say....parents know best...unless their idiots. I would prob say something like, I wanted to call to thank you again for offering me the position, and I know I had accepted but a better opportunity opened up, closer to home and I decided to go with that. Then thank them again.

CCRNDiva, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2011

Dear So and so,

While I deeply apppreciate the offer of employment with your organization, I must regretfully inform you that I am unable to accept your offer of employment. I wish to sincerely thank you for the opportunity.

Sincerely,

***Send a paper copy to manager or director along with email.***

caliotter3 · Sep 15, 2011

Do it in writing and keep a copy. Put a diplomatic sentence at the end that indicates you want future consideration if circumstances change. Thank them at the beginning, at the end, and in the middle, if you can think of a way to do so without being too repetitive. Best wishes at your new job.

CNAmom11 · Sep 15, 2011

Good luck!

evolvingrn, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2011

Maybe i am weird because i have run into other colleagues who have done this recently but we would be furious if employers offered jobs and then later said 'sorry we have decided to go another route" as professionals im not sure why we do this on a regular basis..........it seems unprofessional. I don't think you can 'not' leave a bad taste in their mouth.

I guess when i accepted a job verbally now and in the past i declined future interviews but i also have only accepted jobs that I felt fortunate to be offered.

FLmomof5 · Sep 16, 2011

Well, evolvingrn, one thing you have to consider is the environment we are in with jobs, even in nursing. Some folks, especially new grads, get realistic and apply to LTC when that is not what they want to do with their career. Say the LTC interviews them and they get offered the position and verbally accept. Then they get that treasured acute care med/surg opening to call for an interview! (substitute any combination of nursing positions, same thing)

At this point, they have a bird in the hand. The position at the hospital isn't guaranteed, so they interview and voila!, they get an offer! Now they have the situation the OP confronted.

I have seen folks not care and tell job #1, thanks but no thanks....got a better offer. Another, called the NM and stated that she had a family crisis and would have to leave (she had already started orientation at the LTC). They understood and had a forgiving heart. (all that nurse empathy) I just happened to be in orientation with this lady. I know she was planning to hit the road and not for the reason stated. It wasn't up to me to tell them anything different.

What is crazy about this scenario is that the 2nd would have gotten another shot at this place where the honest, first person probably would not.

In the end, it is your life and your career. You are in the drivers seat. In no way are you obligated to continue down path #1 if path #2 is where your heart is. Truth be told, there are plenty of unemployed nurses waiting to jump at the opportunity you wish to turn down, so in the end, offer #1 is only set back a few days or so.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Sep 16, 2011

Just tell them you applied for two jobs and both came through. I agree that no one will like it that you accepted and then declined, but it hasn't cost them anything so just be honest.

MrChicagoRN, RN · Sep 16, 2011

hello,

how do i professionally decline the job offer that i already took without leaving a bad taste in their mouth? i would not want to burn any bridges because i may need to work at the previous job in the future?? please help, if possible give me exactly what to email or say to them when i call. thanks a bunch!!

they likely won't be happy, no matter what you do. they went through a process, selected you, rejected others.

lots of good advice here. where are you in the process? how soon till orientation? the longer it is until your start date, the less upset they'll be. call them to let them know your decision, then follow-up with an email.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Sep 16, 2011

I went through this recently. I interviewed at 2 places, preferred #2 but didn't hear from them. #1 made an offer, it was pretty lousy. I tried to negotiate it but they wouldn't capitulate to any of my requests. They knew I was unhappy with the terms. They were clear that there was no contract, and either party could void the agreement at any time. I decided to give it a try and verbally accepted the position, and began the paperwork. A few days later, job #2 called with a MUCH better offer. I countered and they met my counter offer. After that, it was a no brainer. I called #1 and told them that they had been outbid, did they want to reconsider negotiation of the terms. They said no, so I said no thanks. I'd like to say they were upset, but as they told me, NPs are a dime a dozen these days and so they were pretty indifferent, lol.

WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN · Nov 29, 2016

Forgive me for resurrecting and old thread, but I would rather add a tail to this conversation than start a new one when several on this topic exist.

My decision on job #1 is due tomorrow. I finally got the letter of intent from my preference, job #2 yesterday. I plan to send a diplomatic letter thanking them for their time but respectfully declining their offer. They suspected I would turn it down because they've been feeling me out. It's a good organization and I wouldn't mind working for them, but terms are better in many ways for the other position.

It's business. I can't worry about "hurting their feelings." In fact, they do this all the time. They asked that I give them the courtesy of letting them know yes or no so that they can resume interviews should I decline.