Some background, I started a new job about a month and a half ago on a L&D unit in the city I recently moved to and I am ready to leave. This is not my first L&D job so I have some understanding on how units can run, that staffing isn't always compliant with AWHONN guidelines and that some OB/GYNs can be a bit demanding. But when I say this unit isn't safe I mean I am genuinely concerned for my patients safety every shift. This like my last job is high risk L&D and I've had 3 patients at times, all requiring either mag, insulin, pit, or all of the above, preterm etc. This unit also has very poor equipment, very basic L&D supplies are missing such as foley catheters, FSEs, SCDs every shift. I just came off of orientation and had a meeting with my educator and manager about how I'm feeling and when I expressed all of my concerns they seemed very receptive but were also forthcoming that the primary issue is staffing and that, they've had about 20 nurses come and go within the past year and are struggling to find new hires. They asked if I was planning on leaving and I told them I would take it day by day.
I've always known I didn't want to do bedside long term, and I recently interviewed at a outpatient clinic and they want to move forward with me. It's my ideal job, better hours, the same pay, and far less stress. Unlike my current job which I interviewed for remotely (big regret), I was able to visit this new job and meet with staff and tour the facility. I definitely want to accept this new job but not sure how I should leave my current. I am still in the probationary period, and per hospital policy I don't have to give any notice and I have no accrued PTO as of yet so I don't need to be paid out. My fear is obviously burning a bridge by leaving without notice although I don't plan on returning to this hospital at any point, I feel done with bedside nursing. On the other hand I'm worried that if I put in a customary two weeks that I may be retaliated against by getting the worst assignments and as I mentioned earlier I fear about my patient's safety and the mere thought of anything bad happening scares me the most. The rest of the staff who are understandably tired of people coming and going have been open about doing this and I know my fear is unfortunately based in reality. I'm really not sure what to do. I know that if I put in 2 weeks they could let me go anyways which would be ideal for me but I doubt the management would, they've expressed they'll keep me as long as I want to stay. Thanks in advance for reading and providing your input.
If one had to quit without notice because of a bad situation or after a brief employment - is one legally responsible for informing the next employer about this employment? Please do all share your thoughts about this.
If one had to quit without notice because of a bad situation or after a brief employment - is one legally responsible for informing the next employer about this employment? Please do all share your thoughts about this.
Thanks!
Some job applications have attestations asking if you have ever been terminated from past positions, but I've never seen anything regarding this issue. I suppose if the question came up and you lied during the interview that it could cause problems if later discovered...
It's okay to levee without notice imo if it's an unsafe environment or detrimental to your health. Just make sure you have something to fall back on, but it sounds like you do.
You are still in the probationary period. No notice is required. Do pay them to courtesy of calling to inform them that the position is just not a good fit. If HR asks if you would do an exit interview then give them a few minutes of your time. They should know about the lack of basic supplies, the difficult assignments, and the low pay. If you can make more in an outpatient setting, then the pay is low.
As for the resume? Listing it and simply stating that the job was not a good fit so you left before the probationary period should be enough. Hopefully you new position pans out so that this won't be an issue for many years.
I always think it is good for others to put in your 2 weeks notice minimum, esp. where you are working. Others who work there will appreciate your help while you are there, it gives the company time to find someone to fill in the hole, and you just may save someones life while you are there if they are that short. On the other hand, if you feel your nursing license is in jeopardy, then you may want to leave immediately. Nurses are stressed in most jobs, and the new job may still have a lot of problems, you will not know until you are there. I have seen places change in just a few months from great working places to pits of hell. I do believe that sometimes it is simply your own attitude and expectations, but you may simply be on point and endangering your own future. I always advise nurses to trust their gut feelings. Good luck in any future endeavors!!
Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.
Sounds like you have been told by your coworkers that the nurses that leave are given 2 weeks of hell. With the issues and lack of safety that you already describe, no way would I put myself in an even worse situation by giving 2 weeks notice. I'd tell them as soon as I could before I was scheduled to come in again, but I'm not a sacrificial lamb.
Quit without notice only as a last resort. You never know when it'll come back to bite you. Even if you don't apply to the same system again, things are only a couple of degrees of separation away from everything else in this field.
This is true. Nursing is a small world. Systems are constantly being taken over by larger systems, and some employers are CRAZY with the background checks, having a third party call all you past jobs 7-10 years back and references. It may be hard to burry that time there.
If one had to quit without notice because of a bad situation or after a brief employment - is one legally responsible for informing the next employer about this employment? Please do all share your thoughts about this.
Thanks!
Legally I have no idea how it could be something legal unless you sign something under penalty of legal consequences. However , the new employer may find out about it with a background check, and then disqualify you for the job. I’m pretty sure it would show up on W2s. Not sure if we sign something where they can pull them and then…..there’s that brief gap explained. This can be done after getting the job too, but usually only if they really want someone out.
Your distress is grounds for calling in sick (mental health day). I would call in sick as it would give me some space and time to think and if I didn't feel safe I wouldn't return.
When you tell your manager you intend to leave maybe give them the option of having you finish out a two week notice? You could just tell them straight out you are quitting and you already have another job but you are willing to finish out at least until the end of the current schedule if they need you.
I agree that trying your very best to give that two weeks notice and have another job lined up is the right thing to do. You're all covered. They can find a replacement and you have a new job to look forward to.
They could decide that the day you give notice, that that is your last shift, which is why I'd recommend having that new job lined up. If they do let you go that same day then you are free (and again have a new job to look forward to.)
Maybe you could take it day by day, and if retaliation happens, then quit at the end of that shift. Never tried it but it's just an idea.
Sun1
140 Posts
If one had to quit without notice because of a bad situation or after a brief employment - is one legally responsible for informing the next employer about this employment? Please do all share your thoughts about this.
Thanks!