Quitting during orientation

[Neteenek]

I've seen some posts about this topic but cant seem to find anything that's really answering my questions. I just recently moved to a new area and started orientation. And to be honest, I'm just miserable. I don't like the area, I'm regretting taking the job, I feel out of place, etc. I've talked with some travel recruiters about finding an assignment closer to home and that's what I want to do. Since I just started orientation, do I need to give a 30 day notice or will I just be asked to leave that day? Also, in the past I've heard people mention that nurses can be asked or sued for the training they received during orientation if they leave early. I didn't sign any kind of contract stating that nor did I discuss it during pre employment for this position. Is that something that could happen?

Thanks guys!

[J.Adderton, BSN, MSN]

I would simply talk to your hiring manager and let them know you are not a good fit for the job. Tell them you wanted to let them know now before the facility/staff place additional resources into your orientation. I think your honesty will be appreciated and they can then place resources into another candidate.

[llg, PhD, RN]

You asked if certain things CAN happen. Of course, just about anything COULD happen ... but the question really should be, "What WILL happen?" and you won't know that until you have a talk with your manager.

I believe most hospitals would simply "cut you loose," "cut their losses" and let you go. But none of us can guarantee that. That's their decision, not ours.

[SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN]

I agree with the other posters. Talk to the folks that hired you and tell them you decided that this isn't a good fit. If you don't want to be there you shouldn't be as it does everybody concerned a disservice. I'm guessing they would simply "cut you lose" as orienting somebody who is never going to work there makes no sense

[Mavrick, BSN, RN]

I've seen some posts about this topic but cant seem to find anything that's really answering my questions. I just recently moved to a new area and started orientation. And to be honest, I'm just miserable. I don't like the area, I'm regretting taking the job, I feel out of place, etc. I've talked with some about finding an assignment closer to home and that's what I want to do. Since I just started orientation, do I need to give a 30 day notice or will I just be asked to leave that day? Also, in the past I've heard people mention that nurses can be asked or sued for the training they received during orientation if they leave early. I didn't sign any kind of contract stating that nor did I discuss it during pre employment for this position. Is that something that could happen?

Thanks guys!

Your financial commitment is written in the contract you signed one would think. No contract, no problem.

Cut your misery and their losses. Consciously analyze your situation, learn how you might have seen this coming and avoid making that mistake again.

Better luck next time.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

I've seen some posts about this topic but cant seem to find anything that's really answering my questions. I just recently moved to a new area and started orientation. And to be honest, I'm just miserable. I don't like the area, I'm regretting taking the job, I feel out of place, etc.

You just moved and you just started a new job. Throw in a marriage or a death in the family and you've hit all the major life stressors. As it is you've got 2/3 of them. Are you miserable because of the job? Or because you're away from your support system? Is there anything else you can do at the hospital? Jumping into a travel assignment seems tempting, I know.

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

It would definitely be helpful to pull out your initial employment contract or look on your facility intranet at your HR policies.

The hospitals where I've worked all had a 90 day probation period. During the probation period, employees were allowed to quit without giving any notice, and the employer was allowed to fire employees without giving a reason (instead of a verbal warning + a written warning + a final warning). Basically, either side was allowed to cut ties if it wasn't a good fit, no questions asked.

I agree with PPs that the facility wouldn't want you to give several weeks notice if you're on orientation--why would they want to continue to invest thousands of dollars into additional orientation shifts if you're leaving?

Best of luck, and I hope you enjoy being closer to home!

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

No worries, If you want to go ,leave.Give proper notice, technically they can get rid of you too while on orientation,you are an at will employee,they do not even have to show cause,never heard of any lawsuits.

[StarletRN1]

I'm in a similar situation. In orientation now for almost 2 months and I'm ready to leave. I wasn't sure about how much notice to give because this is the first job as a nurse where I have wanted to get out so soon after starting. I left my med/surg job to work in a clinic, which from what I've seen in other posts here would be an ideal situation for some nurses. But I'm discovering rather quickly that I dislike it immensely. On the one hand, it has been nice to work with patients that walk/talk, poop on their own and aren't a fall risk, but on the other hand, this new job is just not a good fit for me. I'm already feeling guilty about leaving, but after 9 years of nursing I don't have the energy to deal with a job that isn't working out.

[caliotter3]

It's been a week, please come back and tell us how things went.

[BlondieMSNRN]

You're not giving us any specifics as to what you don't like about the job so it's tough to give suggestions. Could it be depression? Relocating can be stressful and downright awful.

As for the job and things you don't like, get out of it or into it.