Really, really surprised...........

[roser13]

..........by the increasing number of new grads/almost new grads who openly express a desire to take a job and undergo orientation, all the while planning to leave that position shortly after orientation. It's seemingly all about the short-term need for a paycheck, regardless of the impact on anyone else. No doubt, there have always been those who have no problem deceiving an employer, but I don't think they used to be so open about it.

I do realize that the days of benevolent employers are long over but it just doesn't seem right to knowingly short-change an employer. I'm starting to see that there are many components to the reality that employers are reluctant to hire new grads.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

And there are new grads who do that? To what benefit? Until this thread, I've never ever heard of new grads who take a job with the intention of quitting weeks later. I still am skeptical that this is such a pervasive problem.

There's a current thread with someone who is pregnant and only plans to work through orientation, maybe a little beyond, then not return after maternity leave. It's all about obtaining a paycheck for that brief period of time before the birth of the baby.

There is a world of difference between that plan and taking a position with every intention of staying, yet finding something better at some point down the road.

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

Having a job and then being offered something better is different than going into a job planning to stay only days or weeks. That was the phenomenon I was responding too. On that note though, my personal rule is that I qon't leave a job for something better until I've been there a year. This would not apply to situations that I deemed to be unsafe, illegal, or highly toxic.

I guess I just have yet to come across a peer who has just up and left a job after orientation for no reason. Usually, if this occurs, its because a better opportunity has presented itself.

I am just failing to see any evidence of this sort of phenomenon that you and the OP speak of. It just seems a bit bizarre to me that someone would do that for no good reason.

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

There's a current thread with someone who is pregnant and only plans to work through orientation, maybe a little beyond, then not return after maternity leave.

There is a world of difference between that plan and taking a position with every intention of staying, yet finding something better at some point down the road.

So you are using one example from another thread as evidence of this so called problem? I am sorry, but I'd hardly call that pervasive.

and as I do recall, many advised not to take the position only to up and leave a few short months later. Even so, if she needs to work to bank some bucks to save for baby, well then, she has every right to make that choice. Sucks for the employer, but they'll find another nurse to take her place no doubt.

[klone, MSN, RN]

There's a current thread with someone who is pregnant and only plans to work through orientation, maybe a little beyond, then not return after maternity leave. It's all about obtaining a paycheck for that brief period of time before the birth of the baby.

There is a world of difference between that plan and taking a position with every intention of staying, yet finding something better at some point down the road.

Heh. I stand corrected. In addition to the example you cited above, I just saw another example here in this forum.

[littleneoRN]

I don't know if it's pervasive, but I'm just saying it's wrong. I can think of a few real life examples...a nurse who wanted a couple paychecks until she moved to another state...with no intention of ever finishing orientation or doing any actual work for the unit. Another who had a "better" job lined up that wouldn't start for another month. If you need a job for a couple weeks, find a temp agency. I don't want to invest time and hospital money to train you for no benefit.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

The new grad turnover rate has always been high, so it might not be increasing. People tend to share a lot on the internet where they think they are anonymous, so you might be seeing it discussed more is all.

I love my job, and I feel well taken care of there, so I am in no hurry to leave or find something better. I got on to the unit I wanted, and I like my coworkers a lot. But IF I were in a bad situation, IF I didn't feel a mutual respect toward my managers....I don't think I'd give it a second thought about what I owed them. Some of my friends from school are in miserable, unsafe, unfair environments and I wouldn't judge them for jumping ship. Some of them knew going in that the employer had some major red flags, but needed a job to pay the bills so took it knowing from the start that they'd be gone as soon as they could.

Not everyone is in a position to wait for something they feel more invested in to come about, and there's plenty of advice here on AN and in the real world to take whatever you can to work as an RN and then use that experience to get a job you want.

[Unknown member]

I haven't really heard about this "phenomenon"...I think now-a-days, in most areas, it's difficult for new grads to even get a job in a hospital unless you know someone. It seems to me that most plan on working wherever they can, usually LTC, for a year and then try for a hospital position after experience is gained. Some even wait months without employment because they do not want to work in LTC at all. LTC isn't my cup of tea, but I'd gladly work in LTC for a year to gain better opportunities. What other options would I have? New grads need to start somewhere! I can't see the problem, it's just like any other profession. I've never heard of anyone going on an interview only to plan to quit in 2-4 weeks? The above examples don't seem like they'd happen too often.

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

I was recruited to be an agency nurse as a new grad. I respectfully declined as it is expected that you go into these organizations knowing how to do everything and have responsibility for a full patient assignment from the moment you step foot on the unit. There is no precepting or orientation. I would NEVER advise a new grad to work for an agency until they were able to find themselves on greener pastures. Its a disaster waiting to happen and the new grad will be putting their license in jeopardy.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

and there are new grads who do that? to what benefit? until this thread, i've never ever heard of new grads who take a job with the intention of quitting weeks later. i still am skeptical that this is such a pervasive problem.

i work in a large teaching hospital. believe me, it's a pervasive problem.

[klone, MSN, RN]

i work in a large teaching hospital. believe me, it's a pervasive problem.

as do i, and i haven't seen it in real life. maybe my facility is just unique in that everyone who is hired on as a new grad enjoys their job. plus, i imagine the 2-year contract the new grads sign helps discourage frequent job hopping.

[birdie22]

Beggars cant be choosers. Being a new grad, I took the first job that gave me an offer. Is it my ideal job? No. Do I plan on leaving when something better comes along? Yes. Do I feel grateful that I've been given a job that allows me a lengthy orientation to develop my nursing skills? Yes. I dont feel like I 'owe' them anything. Hospitals area business - I look out for me and you (management) look out for you.

Its a relationship - supposedly 50% of marriages end in divorce. If people cant stay committed to the 'love of their life', why should we expect them to stay committed to a job?

Why do jobs that want experience only say "must have at least one year...."? One year. That's it and you're free to move on to more opportunities. As a new grad, there arent that many opportunities. The hospitals set themselves up for us to leave when they all say for experience you need a minimum of one year. Everyone is playing the game.

That being said, I wouldnt want to hire someone who only has 1 year of experience and then immediately goes looking for something else. That doesnt really show commitment/dedication. So, I dont plan on looking for something else right away simply because I can or because I would feel sympathy for my current employer - but rather because I'm looking out for myself and what will make me more marketable in the future.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

You shouldn't be surprised. New Grads have bills to pay starting with that unbankruptable student loan set. We all will take whatever job we can get! I took one at an LTAC knowing that I would be only on the LTC wing. I can't say that I planned on leaving before I took the job. I can't say that was in the minds of my fellow graduates that also took jobs there and have either left or are looking to leave. But, I will say that I will leave as soon as I can and that the ONLY reason I haven't quit is because I still have things I can learn, can further develop my skills AND I need the paycheck.

Do you foresee a time when you have learned all you can? :)