Shady job offer

Nurses General Nursing

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hi, this is my first post so I hope I’m doing this right. I’m an RN with a little over 4 years of experience. I applied for a job last month and was offered the position two weeks ago. I accepted the offer over the phone and was told what my hourly pay would be. I was never given anything in writing. When I was offered the job I was told that I would hear from HR the following week. I never heard anything so I called to check on the status and my start date. At this time I also asked for a letter stating what my position and salary would be so that I could start looking for an apartment. The job is out of state (we are moving to be closer to family) so I wanted to start looking for a place to live and have arrangements well before I arrived. I was told that I wouldn’t be able to get anything like that in writing until I heard from HR. I politely asked what the hold up was and she mentioned something about budgets being approved. I asked if the job offer was something that could end up not working out and she assured me that everything was fine and HR would contact me the next week. I still haven’t heard anything and currently have no start date and nowhere to live over there since I don’t have proof of income. This makes me uneasy because I am planning on moving out of state and have already packed up a lot of my stuff. I’m starting to get the feeling that something is off. I want to call HR myself and ask what is going on and why I can’t get a start date or a letter stating what my hourly wage will be but I don’t want to be pushy. I’ve never been offered a job where they tell me what my salary will be but won’t give me a start date or anything in writing. I’m just wondering what you all would do in this situation?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Before you think it's a shady job offer, keep in mind that COVID is affecting a lot of things.

My facility had to divide what would normally be one new hire cohort of nurse in July into a grand total of 3 cohorts throughout July and August in order to keep the group sizes to an acceptable size. There was lots of discussion regarding when new grads were able to get NCLEX scheduled, which units getting experienced nurses were in the most critical need, and other details. Heck, in my facility, the chief financial officer has to sign off on each hire before it can go through.

Take a deep breath and understand that these are uncharted waters for the majority of facilities.

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that makes me feel better about it, thank you! I hope I didn’t come off as ungrateful, and I do understand the effects of covid. I’m just hoping that I’m not putting all my eggs in one basket to be told it’s not going to workout. I just feel like I’m not getting a lot of info from them when I ask questions.

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Sounds discourteous and unprofessional. Perhaps keep looking.

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Nurses (prospective employees) waiting for details like this has been nothing new. Hospitals have become rather notorious for long timelines in communicating these details. Right hand/left hand. Etc.

Whatever you do don't spend a lot of money towards your move or make commitments/take on obligations until they make this official.

BTW I also agree w/ the above, it's rather discourteous.

I would keep applying to places and entertaining offers for interviews etc. while you're waiting. It's likely everything is fine and will work itself out but don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Best of luck with this and your move~

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

It's a hard lesson, but you should not accept a job offer until it's in writing.

Usually when asked to accept a verbal offer, it's best to say something like "I'm so excited to read the written offer in detail. When would you like my response?"

The written offer may not be the terms you discussed, or may even reveal some surprising details, such as health insurance and benefit time terms.

I agree with Rose Queen that it's even more unsure now. A nurse manager may want to hire you following usual procedure, but be stopped short by new budget constraints.

Nothing is sure until it's sure.

Best wishes and I hope they come through for you.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

Next time you communicate with them let them know that your start date will have to be a certain time after you receive your written job offer. Let them know you aren't able to secure housing and take on relocation expenses until you have something in writing. Good luck.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
On 6/10/2020 at 4:41 PM, cjwjrn said:

hi, this is my first post so I hope I’m doing this right. I’m an RN with a little over 4 years of experience. I applied for a job last month and was offered the position two weeks ago. I accepted the offer over the phone and was told what my hourly pay would be. I was never given anything in writing. When I was offered the job I was told that I would hear from HR the following week. I never heard anything so I called to check on the status and my start date. At this time I also asked for a letter stating what my position and salary would be so that I could start looking for an apartment. The job is out of state (we are moving to be closer to family) so I wanted to start looking for a place to live and have arrangements well before I arrived. I was told that I wouldn’t be able to get anything like that in writing until I heard from HR. I politely asked what the hold up was and she mentioned something about budgets being approved. I asked if the job offer was something that could end up not working out and she assured me that everything was fine and HR would contact me the next week. I still haven’t heard anything and currently have no start date and nowhere to live over there since I don’t have proof of income. This makes me uneasy because I am planning on moving out of state and have already packed up a lot of my stuff. I’m starting to get the feeling that something is off. I want to call HR myself and ask what is going on and why I can’t get a start date or a letter stating what my hourly wage will be but I don’t want to be pushy. I’ve never been offered a job where they tell me what my salary will be but won’t give me a start date or anything in writing. I’m just wondering what you all would do in this situation?

You absolutely should call HR. That's not being pushy.

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