Resigning while still on orientation--do I need to give 2 weeks notice?

Nurses General Nursing

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I have HAD IT with my new job. I have been a nurse for 9 years and recently moved to a new state. I had to (very sadly) resign from my dream job as a home health nurse back in Virginia. I LOVED home health nursing. It was my passion, my niche in nursing.

Unfortunately when we moved I had to find a job quickly and was rushed into making a decision to take a job on a surgical oncology floor. I have been there for about a month and have been on the floor in orientation for 5 weeks. I have 2 weeks of orientation to go....but I am ready to quit NOW! I hate it. I hate the politics of it all. The last straw was being told on Wednesday that we had to use a standardized form to give and receive report and if we choose not to "there will be consequences" and "you will be written up". WHAT THE HECK? Because I choose to write report in a way that makes sense to me--and you're going to write me up because I don't use your complicated check list? They also have a "compliance board" in the lounge and they write nurses names on the board in big red letters if they are not compliant on something on their chart audits! Hello? Are we back in kindergarten???

Those are just small things in a string of bad events on this unit. I am leaving this hospital and never returning. I have already gotten several job leads with some local home health, hospice and private duty agencies. I never want to work in the hospital setting again.

Anyway------my question is, do you think it's necessary for me to give a 2 weeks notice? Technically it will be a waste of money to the hospital for them to pay me for 2 more weeks of orientation. Next week is a week long classroom based surgical intensive and then I have 2 more days on the floor with my preceptor. If I quit now they will not be out a nurse on any shift--and it will save them money.

What do you all think? I don't want to burn bridges at this hospital because you never know what may happen . . . but I don't think I can take another day there.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading!

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Specializes in Trauma & Emergency.

Actually one of my friends was in this same exact situation. She wanted to quit before the orientation was up and wasn't sure how to go about it. Well one day she basically told the NS that she couldn't stand it anymore and didn't want to be scheduled past the end of her orientation, which was also two weeks longer. The facility told her there was no need for her to stay for two weeks, that there were already nurses on that shift anyway (it wasn't like she was being scheduled alone). I think this would fall into that same situation. They won't be absent a nurse..just an orientee. Obviously you don't want to burn your bridges in a sense but I don't see why they would want to keep paying you for 2 weeks when you are just going to leave anyway.

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Yeah, they aren't counting on you for anything. Why don't you ask your supervisor or the nurse manager what they would prefer you do? They would appreciate the heads up and your willingness to discuss the situation as well as your concern that the hospital not waste any more money on you as you have decided. Have a chat with one of them first thing when you go back to work. Good luck with your new prospects.

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Thanks for your thoughts. I'm going in to see my manager tomorrow after talking with the "Employee Retention Coordinator" for the second time in the last 2 weeks. (Can you believe they have a full time person with that title? Hmmm . . .makes you wonder doesn't it?). Knowing my manger she'll tell me just to hit the road. She is a whacko--reason #568 of why I am leaving!!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Pedi/Tele.

I work with a nurse who actually transferred to the ED but hated it and when a position opened back on our floor she asked to be sent back to us. Her manager did the same thing and just automatically switched her schedule without making her stay till end of orientation. Good luck and like the previous poster said don't burn your bridges.

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The facility I work for has a 3 month probation period, where either the employee or the manager can say they are not happy and quit/lay off without notice or penalty. After the 3 months they want 2 weeks notice.

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My :twocents::

The standard in the US is two weeks notice. I would follow that.

There's a good chance that the hospital will tell you to leave now, since it makes no sense for them to continue orientation for a nurse who is leaving.

By officially giving two weeks notice, you cover yourself by having documentation that you followed normal procedures. If they tell you don't bother to come back, ask for it in writing, or make sure you write a note saying who told you to stay home, when they told you, etc.

That way, if there's ever an issue you don't have to rely on memories.

Better safe than sorry.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

That demerit board in the breakroom sounds totally demeaning! I don't blame you for wanting to hightail it outta there!

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Wow. I don't blame you for getting out of there - what a lack of respect for employees. I agree with some of the above posters in asking them how they want you to proceed. Also, let us know what happens.

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Just be honest with your hiring manager about your feelings. Be prepared to give 2-4 weeks as a professional courteousy, but they probably will not see it financially worth it to keep you around. Good luck.

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Well....I e-mailed my nurse manager to let her know of my intentions to resign and that I didn't feel I needed to return to the floor since I was still on orientation. She wrote back and actually sounded sincere when she said she was sorry it didn't work out. She asked me if there was anything I had to say about my orientation and I have a whole lot I plan to share with her! I am going in tomorrow to officially resign. I hope I am making the right decision. It has been a relief knowing that I don't have to go back. I am praying I find another job soon!

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Specializes in Women's Surgical Oncology, MIU,MBU.

Thank you for asking this question...I am dealing with the same thing. At least you have 9 years experience as a nurse. I currently have 1 year and 4 months. I am not happy and this is my second position at two different facilities. I just don't know what it is about these nurse managers. I never had any issues with managers before I became a nurse. Its like they just give you 6 weeks orientation and then you are expected to know everything from how the floor operates to what you need to complete during this time period on your own. The nurses have been very good to me in helping me but I just don't think its fair when they have their own patient load to have to help me out. Things should be more organized during orientation and probationary periods and they are not.:crying2:

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