Quitting during Orientation!!?? Help!!

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So I have a question, can you give your two week notice during orientation and still be oriented for the last two weeks? Or can they ask/force you to leave immediately?

I have only been orienting as a RN for about 3 weeks. I love the people and everything worked there for 4.5 yrs as a CNA, but want something more so I don't lose my skills. I got an offer on a Med/Surg unit which I think will help me in the long run for other future opportunities since the unit I am in Post partum won't really get me to much places. Can someone please help!? :(

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Orientation costs them something. I don't see why they'd let you finish it if you're not going to give them something back for it.

Now, if you love the people and the place, think hard before you quit just to preserve hypothetical future opportunities. Liking where you work and who you work with, and having a job in hand, counts for a LOT.

If you asked me for advice on what to do - which you have not - I'd recommend you stay where you are. Get some experience in the coming year and then seek maybe some med-surg prn work, or conversely, keep the present job as a prn, a couple shifts a month, if they'll let you.

You don't have to be in SUCH a hurry, career-wise.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

There would not be a single reason for a facility to pay you to orient for 2 weeks with no chance of utilizing you in that position. So I would expect that when you give notice, you will be asked to leave.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

We would not continue to orient you, we would have you quit immediately. What do you want to move into in the future? If you think med-surg will help, I'd go, but is it in the same hospital? If it is, in most hospitals you can not make a lateral move for one year.

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Do you have an actual job offer lsewhere? They will not have you work out the two weeks, there is no point is wasting everyone's time and money. If you are quitting, let hem know ASAP and know you are burning a bridge.

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

You can offer to stay for two more weeks, but why would they keep you? They are paying you to orient and paying another nurse to precept you. They know you are not going to work for them, so it makes no sense financially for them to keep paying you to train for a job you will never hold.

Keep in mind that leaving during orientation will possibly prevent you from being rehired at this hospital in the future. Be careful not to burn bridges. I'd recommend finishing orientation and working there for a year or so. You can do per diem med-surg work or attend clinics/conferences to keep up your skills. You won't "lose" that much in a year working postpartum, especially since as a new grad, you don't know a ton anyway.

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Specializes in Medical Oncology, Alzheimer/dementia.

I agree with the others. I can't see them keeping you on to continue orientating you for a job you don't want to be there to do.

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The grass is not always greener...

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Specializes in Neuroscience/Brain and Stroke.

Wow you don't hear about new grads trying to get OUT of OB everyday! I don't think you would lose skills, maybe not have a chance to perfect some of them but bein in PP, wouldn't that open doors to L&D in the future, you could really practice skills on that unit! Jobs are hard to find nowadays, that being said medsurg jobs are by far the easiest to get (IMO). I would stick it out and move on after a year or so, but you do what you gotta do hun, good luck :)

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I haven't worked OB, but I've had kids, and I watch TV. So I'm qualified to render an opinion of questionable value.

And I do realize you didn't ask for advice, just wanted to know if they'd let you finish orientation. But you're here in the Forum, and we love fresh meat!:D So brace yourself for advice.

As far as skills go, in OB you're likely to be starting IV's, inserting foleys, handling emergencies, and honing your assessment, prioritizing and customer service skills, at the very least. No slight intended to OB nurses if I've left out major stuff that you do. Like I said, I don't do that kind of nursing.

I think after a year of OB you'll have a lot of very useful experience. And as I said before, do not underestimate the value of a workplace and coworkers that you enjoy, especially in that stressful first year with the steep learning curve.

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To NiCgal- No it is not the same hospital. The one for Med Surg is closer to my house, like 5 mins away. I'm not really digging the PP unit but maybe LD. I don't really know what I want to do in the future I've liked everything but not really PP. Maybe because I am bored of it and feel like I there really isn't much more to learn.

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MJB2012- I did get another offer, way better pay, set schedule rather than rotating, and closer to home.

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