rant.. "4 weeks notice"

[misyan]

So long rant..I currently work in a level II ICU as a PT, however there were no FT opportunity on the unit so I was fortunate to find a ft position in a level III ICU in another city. As soon as I got the official paperwork, I talked to my manager and gave my two weeks notice as the new unit wants me on orientation in two weeks. I still very much so like my unit and worked well with the team, therefore I told her I would like to stay on as a causal staff. I have been trying to find someone to cover my shifts with no luck so far, so I emailed my manager and she told me to I need to give 4 weeks notice and "let the hospital know you will start in next month instead". I have never heard of this and anyone with a brain know that there is no way to tamper with a new job like that.

[misyan]

couple of things - The new hospital only hire nurses once every three months, I won't make it to the next orientation if I don't make it to this one. This is a big hospital with a year long training program and they pretty much only takes new grad to train them the "ICU way". I was the only one in this intake with some ICU experience

I started on my current unit as a new grad with a state funded program. They never paid anything to train me, after that I was offered part time. And yes she failed big time on retaining staff. She was only interested in offering experienced nurses from other hospital full time, all the new staff the unit trained had left. She even said she wants me to do a learning plan before offering me full time (after months being off orientation) this plan isnt shared with the educator, does not change my patient assignment to the higher acuity pt. I will check with HR but it is what it is. Four weeks is a long time - esp in a hospital setting.

[Oceanpacific]

Now you can do the happy dance. You got a much better job. You have been courteous and considerate with your current employer. Wish them a happy 4th of July now because you will be out of there. Independence Day!

[wolf9653]

Maybe stretch the truth and tell her you asked, but this is what they said. And ask her what you should do, what would she do. By the sound of it she'd probably lie to you, but that tells you something doesn't it?

[amoLucia]

I remember the times when your 'notice' was equivalent to the length of your vacation benefit.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

Check the policy....it all comes down to what the facility policy is.

Agreed. Call HR and ask for the policy applying to nurses, particularly part-time nurses (which may be different).

Nursing is rife with "that's our policy" statements that have absolutely no basis in reality. It's pretty sad how people who should know the policies really don't.

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

dont feel bad, my coworker had to give 7 weeks notice. Had to work out rest of schedule,there is no one to take her shifts

[L♡vER]

This is ridiculous. At the end of the day *it's just a job* why do we martyr ourselves as nurses? This epidemic of poor staffing is not your fault, it's hers. One of the reasons they should consider more than just the skeleton crew found at most inpatient facilities.

Do what's right for you. If you need to leave in 2 weeks, then leave in 2 weeks.

[TriciaJ, RN]

If you could afford to work part time, maybe you would stay with your current employer. But you can't. You got offered a full time gig and you will severely jeopardize this opportunity by trying to appease your current nurse manager. She obviously doesn't care about your finances, why should you care about her self-imposed staffing problems?

Two weeks has always been plenty of notice for my employers, and I left all of them on good terms (even if I inwardly ran away screaming). You are not going to make both employers happy. I'd pick the one that's offering me the best deal and tell the other one to bite a hot one.

[kungpoopanda]

Two weeks notice is usual. Give that and if they don't like it just say that is all you are able to give.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Many hospitals require 4 weeks notice. Where you were moving to another city, perhaps this notice was taken from your manager as a you would not want to come back anyways thing.

Did they accept your resignation? I would speak directly with HR, tell them your resignation letter as written was accepted, and that you would like to be PRN, therefore you are in essence not resigning, just changing job categories.

Best wishes!

[bluenurse85]

I've only ever heard of giving two weeks' notice for a staff nurse position. Maybe four weeks is a regional thing?

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Its a courtesy not a requirement. You do what is best for your future job. I gave 6 weeks to my last job because I knew I was leaving and gave them the time to find me a replacement. At the end of those 6 weeks, "We really need you to stay we didn't hire anyone to take your spot" Thats your problem not mine.