Quitting during/before orientation

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 4, 2015

Are these hospitals where you want to be an RN? Don't bite the future hand that might feed you. Where is your dream tech job? Would that lead to a dream RN postion? If not, it doesn't seem like it would be worth it.

mindofmidwifery, ADN · Nov 4, 2015

Are these hospitals where you want to be an RN? Don't bite the future hand that might feed you. Where is your dream tech job? Would that lead to a dream RN postion? If not, it doesn't seem like it would be worth it.

Honestly, not really, but I don't expect to work in my first choice hospital right away as an RN. The health system where my dream tech job is is one of the best in my area, not entirely sure if it'd lead to my actual dream job but I'm assuming it'd help get my foot in the door. Does being able to put in a two week notice at both places change anything? I don't plan on just dropping them. I assume that going through orientation entirely then quitting would be worse...

203bravo, MSN, APRN · Nov 4, 2015

I have been in management as well as a hiring position at several companies and if anyone quit during orientation they would not be considered for future employment... why? well these hospitals have already made a large investment in you.. background check, drug screen, titers and/or vaccinations, and the list goes on... not to mention the fact that during orientation you are drawing a paycheck and offering no production to the facility.... hiring, orienting, and training a new employee is expensive and you just wasted a lot of these hospitals time and money for no reason.

This is the reason that Kris asked if you would ever consider seeking employment at these facilities again (keep in mind that mergers happen all the time and managers do change facilities and will remember you).. and also the reason for the advice of not biting the hand that may potentially feed you.

Think carefully -- if you are certain that you will never again apply to these facilities or there is a great shortage of nurses in your area and the facility will likely overlook the time and money you cost them because they need the nurses then quit now (before they invest any more time and money into you and allow them to hire someone that actually wants the job). And during orientation, yes it is advisable to give a two week notice but don't be surprised that they accept it and release you on the spot.

mindofmidwifery, ADN · Nov 4, 2015

I have been in management as well as a hiring position at several companies and if anyone quit during orientation they would not be considered for future employment... why? well these hospitals have already made a large investment in you.. background check, drug screen, titers and/or vaccinations, and the list goes on... not to mention the fact that during orientation you are drawing a paycheck and offering no production to the facility.... hiring, orienting, and training a new employee is expensive and you just wasted a lot of these hospitals time and money for no reason.
This is the reason that Kris asked if you would ever consider seeking employment at these facilities again (keep in mind that mergers happen all the time and managers do change facilities and will remember you).. and also the reason for the advice of not biting the hand that may potentially feed you.
Think carefully -- if you are certain that you will never again apply to these facilities or there is a great shortage of nurses in your area and the facility will likely overlook the time and money you cost them because they need the nurses then quit now (before they invest any more time and money into you and allow them to hire someone that actually wants the job). And during orientation, yes it is advisable to give a two week notice but don't be surprised that they accept it and release you on the spot.

Thank you so much for your response! I'm definitely not going to make any hasty uninformed decisions, so I'll have to think about it. I'm like 98% positive I won't work at the Children's Hospital when I'm a nurse, but of course there's always some degree of uncertainty :/ I'll have to weigh my options. It just sucks that I received a call out of the blue for this opportunity.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Nov 4, 2015

Are these hospitals where you want to be an RN? Don't bite the future hand that might feed you.

I agree with this.

Make sure you conduct a bunch of research on the company - internet searches and even check out Glassdoor. My "dream job" in this area ended up being horrible.

mindofmidwifery, ADN · Nov 4, 2015

I agree with this.
Make sure you conduct a bunch of research on the company - internet searches and even check out Glassdoor. My "dream job" in this area ended up being horrible.

I'm irritated because there's not any reviews for the one. The hospital I'm doing orientation at now has bad management reviews but I can see myself growing with the company... I wonder if I can work both places [emoji24] realistically, probably not.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Nov 4, 2015

I'm irritated because there's not any reviews for the one. The hospital I'm doing orientation at now has bad management reviews but I can see myself growing with the company... I wonder if I can work both places [emoji24] realistically, probably not.

Do you have the opportunity to shadow?

You might be able to work both places...obviously not full-time at both, but maybe full-time or part-time at one and PRN at the other one.

mindofmidwifery, ADN · Nov 4, 2015

Do you have the opportunity to shadow?
You might be able to work both places...obviously not full-time at both, but maybe full-time or part-time at one and PRN at the other one.

I shadowed at the two where I already accepted positions, have not shadowed at the one where I just got a call from. Asking about PRN is something I have not thought of but sounds like a really good idea. Thank you for the suggestion :)

Veigar3 · Nov 4, 2015

I wouldn't even consider quitting your two hospital jobs for your dream tech job. Firstly, a tech job is not a dream job, and it's not worth quitting two hospital jobs and blacklisting yourself from them forever. You ought to honor the contracts that you signed. Plus, if you are considering nursing school, or other schooling, I'd rather have the flexibility a part-time gig (or 2 part-time gigs) while in school.

I'd call back the dream tech employer and respectfully decline, telling them you already signed a contract with another employer. I'm sure they'll open up other tech jobs in the future, if you really want to work there.

mindofmidwifery, ADN · Nov 4, 2015

I wouldn't even consider quitting your two hospital jobs for your dream tech job. Firstly, a tech job is not a dream job, and it's not worth quitting two hospital jobs and blacklisting yourself from them forever. You ought to honor the contracts that you signed. Plus, if you are considering nursing school, or other schooling, I'd rather have the flexibility a part-time gig (or 2 part-time gigs) while in school.
I'd call back the dream tech employer and respectfully decline, telling them you already signed a contract with another employer. I'm sure they'll open up other tech jobs in the future, if you really want to work there.

You're right... Plus I figure after a year I can try transferring to a different unit.

Veigar3 · Nov 4, 2015

I was in your position a while back, it sucked because I turned down the job I really wanted. I'm working two part-time jobs now, but it's really working out with school, I'm making good connections and hopefully will get some good letters of recommendation from my supervisors for grad school.