So what would you do in this situation?

[NurseCard, ADN]

I've been reading different thoughts on here, regarding giving proper notice when resigning. Most people agree that two weeks is the norm and the professional standard (which is basically how I feel); others say that four weeks should definately be the standard, the minimum, for a professional nurse.

What if you are resigning from a job that you hate, a job where administration treated you, as well as other employees poorly, where you were shown practically no appreciation from management......

.... for a job that is within walking distance from your house, where the administrators seem warm and friendly, the people who work there have good things to say about the place... in general, it seems like a much better job....

.... BUT, the DON at the new job, the job that you really want, said that she would not be able to give you the four weeks that you asked for? In fact, it turned out that you would not even be able to give a full two weeks to your current employer?

What would you do??

Originally the DON wanted me to go to orientation yesterday (Monday), then start working on the floor the following Monday. I was like... I can't do that! I asked her for four weeks... she said that she just didn't think she would be able to do that, she really needed someone like, NOW... that she may have to hire someone else. I thought it over and then called her back later and said that I would like to take the job, but could I start two weeks from this past Monday, instead of just one week later. At first she said that would be fine, but then somehow my starting date got switched to Thursday, October 21st. I thought at first that that would be okay, but as it turned out, I would only be giving my current employer about a week to a week-and-a-half, notice.

I do truly want this new job, and I honestly do not have much guilt over leaving this other job with short notice, given the way that I feel like they have treated me, and have treated other employees... given the way that they run the place... etc. Other employees there have left with much MUCH lesser notice; they should feel fortunate that they even got as much notice from me as they DID.

However, at the same time... I feel guilty for violating the norm, you know? But I feel like there wasn't much I could do. I guess I could have insisted on more time and if she didn't want to hire me badly enough, she didn't have to. But man... I wasn't willing to risk it. The power was all hers, eh?

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Makes me wonder how short staffed a place is if they are making it difficult for you to give a 2 weeks notice. Most employers understand it's the courteous thing to let a soon to be employee do.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

You're in a tough spot. That DON may be showing more of her colors than she might intend. I know you don't want to hear this, but this would make me suspicious of the facility, or at least of the administration. Any fair employer understands and appreciates that a new hire should and would like to give a fair notice to her previous employer.

However, if your current job is as bad as you say, then I could understand why you would still go for the new one. You could always call the DON's bluff but in this economy, she just might find an unemployed nurse who can start TODAY.

[caliotter3]

If you live in an "at will" state, you technically don't have to give two weeks notice, but most people retain the outdated notice period out of courtesy. I would not be losing sleep over the needs of a place that treated me so poorly that I felt it necessary to find a better employer. You can rest assured that they would not be worrying about you if the tables were turned.

[opensesame]

You know, it might seem like this is a good situation for you to go into, but I would be pretty wary if they won't at least give you two weeks before your start date. This is pretty much the minimum as a professional standard and your new employer should understand that. It also worries me that she wants you to start on a Thursday -- is she going to schedule you through the whole weekend? Does she need a body on the unit that badly?

If you've thought about it and you are convinced this is a good thing for you, I would tell them that you need at least until the next Monday. If 3 days more means your are going to lose that job, I bet you really didn't want it in the first place.

[diligent-trooper]

Hmmmm. I have never had this experience. Everyone says: " NOT to burn bridges." I am not sure what this says about your new DON, and if this new place is all that it is suppose to be. I would expect any employer to praise and wish their future employee would be considerate of the former employer. After all, it is a inconvenience and a transition when a valuable employee is resigning. I am not sure what your present work environment is like, nor do I have a idea if the following action would even have a impact on your future employment opportunities. You are the only one that can answer that question. At least if you take the new position, and wish to leave sometime, and your future DON is still in the position, you can just leave without even giving one day notice--LOL!

[himilayaneyes]

You definitely don't want to burn bridges. So this situation with your new DON not wanting to give you at least 2 weeks for your notice makes me a little wary. But if you really want this job, then do what you have to do...one week notice 1 1/2 week notice...good enough..at least you're giving them notice. However, be careful with that new DON of yours.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Give the old job as much notice as you can. Even though it was a horrible place to work at, nursing is a small world and you never know who from your old job you'll run into again.

And when you get to the new job, be sure to check their policy on how much notice you have to give so this new DON doesn't throw a wrench into that either.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

Oh dude! What a tight spot you are in! I understand your not wanting to burn bridges, but dang, they didn't even treat you well! I agree with Carliotter in that should the tables be turned, they would certainly not consider your situation.

It may be risky, but if you really have heard good things from the people that work there, I would hate for you to jeopardize that. You would totally be kicking yourself in the butt if that job somehow slipped through your hands.

I was in a similar situation once, and I was only given 2 weeks to let my current employer know that my dream job (in the same city as my fiance) had just had an opening and the DON offered me a job after a 2 year hiring freeze. I could not pass that up. I may have burned some bridges in the eyes of the staff, but the old DON totally understood and wished me well. It sort of made me cringe that I had to leave on short notice, but I HAD to take this new job-and I am SOOO thankful that I did.

[merlee]

She wants you to start on a Thursday? Is that the start of their payperiod? And exactly how much orientation will you receive? Check that out. Then don't worry about the bridges.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

You will most likely lose your accumaleted vacation leave if you leave early and have "not eligible for re-hire" anytime someone check references in the future.

You need to find out from HR what your hospital requires per policy to leave in good standing. Give that amount of notice or it may harm you in the future.

Explain to the DON that the hopital policy requires this. If she refuses then keep your old job and keep looking.

If she reluctantly says ok maybe you can find other people willing to pick up some of your shifts and start orienting at the new place then.

A new boss that encourages you to screw the old boss no matter how desperate is a red flag and you should give that some consideration.

[heron, ASN, RN]

On the other hand, most non-union facilities in at-will states reserve the right to make your resignation effective immediately ... usually happens if there is an element of hostility on either side ... but sometimes it's just vindictiveness.

IOW, you might find yourself escorted out of your current job five minutes after you present your resignation.

Check your employees manual to see what the company says about this.

Sometimes you have to stop picking the fly poop out of the pepper and take a leap ... what is your gut telling you?