Leaving a Job Mid-Orientation??? Please Help!

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I have been speaking to many of my friends and family about this predicament and all have come to the same conclusion but I would really appricate some advice from nurses out in the field.

I recently started an orientation for a HUGE hospital system in my area. I accepted the postion... because as a NEW GRAD there aren't many postions available and we've been told that we should take what we can get.

I have now found out 2 weeks into orientation that I my facility is under nursing home regulations (it was told to me when I accepted the postion that it was subacute care) and I will be caring for anywhere between 15-17 patients a day.

PLUS now today...I recieved an offer from another hospital for my DREAMMM position (in pediatrics).

So here is the predicament.... I feel that my license is in jeopardy if I continue work at this facility... but I also feel I am obligated since I have started my orientation...

I don't feel safe and I know I will not be happy ( and after working so hard to get my license shouldn't I be doing something I love?)

Do anyone have advice for me or know what kind of obligations I may be under if I leave mid-orientation? I didn't no sign any contract obligating me to stay for x-amount of time (the only obligation is that I cannot transfer to another hospital withing the network for 1 year).

Thank youuuu!

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Specializes in med/surg, hospice.

I don't know where you live, but most places are at-will employment so if you didn't sign a contract you are under no obligation to stay there. I would write a resignation letter stating the reason(s) why you are leaving, one that is to the point but courteous (you don't want to burn any bridges). Good luck to you!:)

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It may not matter how nice your resignation is leaving mid-orientation may very well burn the bridge with this "HUGE" hospital system.

I am curious as to how it took 2 weeks into orientation for you to figure out you'd taken a LTC position. I have to say, only 15-17 patients in LTC is a very good ration.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

If you decide to go definitely get the new offer in writing before you burn the bridge with your present employer. Good luck.

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I believe you are burning your bridge. I would not do it if it were me. But if you feel you must, you must. At best, you will never need to approach that hospital system again for a job. Good luck.

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Resign "with great regret" and take your dream position! :up:

steph

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

In the future you may find yourself at that large hospital chain with hat in hand looking for a job...so you want to minimize damage. First, don't quit job #1 without having job #2 guaranteed because if you quit and job #2 falls through, job #1 may not take you back.

After you officially get job #2, give job #1 at least two weeks' notice or whatever their policy dictates. If you can't do that, IMO don't quit job #1 because you will really screw yourself over with that hospital chain. That's something you don't want to do especially if they control most of the hospitals in town.

And write one heck of a resignation letter (I agree with the "deep regret" advice) which you should hand-deliver to HR to make sure it gets there. Handy tip: when you drop the letter off, ask the full name of the person who you gave it to, and write it down while he/she is watching...that usually ensures that the letter will get to whoever it needs to get to :)

Good luck.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

This situation is not at all uncommon. Even experienced nurses do it. From the employer's perspective, it is actually better to leave before they have invested in a full orientation. Please just be honest with them. The circumstance is simply a result of bad timing... you didn't mislead anyone. You can leave with your integrity intact.

Be sure to ask whether you will be listed as a "not eligible for rehire" because as previous posts indicated, this would not only prevent you from returning to that organization, but could also have an impact on future opportunities when your job history is checked. It's best to know that you will have to respond to this on future job applications.

Good Luck.

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Specializes in Junior Year of BSN.

Be sure to ask whether you will be listed as a "not eligible for rehire" because as previous posts indicated, this would not only prevent you from returning to that organization, but could also have an impact on future opportunities when your job history is checked. It's best to know that you will have to respond to this on future job applications.

Good Luck.

You might want to get that in writing too. Just in case a couple of years go by and you apply with that system and they say that you are ineligible to be employed. You might forget the persons name who told you verbally that you are eligible or they could no longer work there to back you up.

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