Want to leave job during orientation

[tma0312]

I recently relocated to another state and was able to secure a position before moving since the area of the country I am now living in is very tight on RN jobs. I felt extremely lucky and happy to not have to be unemployed for any length of time!

However....I just got a call from a hospital literally down the street from me that wants to interview me for two different units. I just started my other job about two weeks ago. This hospital is almost an hour away during insane rush hour traffic since its a night time position. When I was interviewed for this position, they told me it would be a rotating position, which apparently is not the case since they have no need for any day nurses, only nights, so since I am new, I would be working straight nights. Which isn't a problem, but it is soooo far away. Not to mention, on this unit it is common practice for nurses to not get breaks. Why? Because there are only two nurses at any given time and the unit can take up to 10-12 pts. No secretary, and alot of times no aide. Its not exactly what I signed up for.

If I get offered a position at the closer hospital, I am going to take it, no questions about it; however, how do I go about telling the first hospital I am leaving? Do I give two weeks? Would that not be pointless since I am still on orientation?

Please help!

[llg, PhD, RN]

If you get another job ...

1. Yes, you should give 2 weeks notice. But you can "open the door for them" to release you sooner. You can say something like, "I am resigning my current position as a ____ effective July 15th, but I understand that you may choose to release me sooner as I am still on orientation." That gives them the choice. They were nice enough to offer you the job and you want to leave on good terms to preserve your professional reputation.

2. If asked, I would say that the other job is more suitable as it is not only closer to your home but it offers you a work schedule that better suits your life. Point out (very politely) that the rotating position you were told you would have has not materialized and that while you can work the night shift, it is hard to work for them straight nights with the long commute. If they don't ask, I wouldn't bring it up.

Good luck.

[tma0312]

Thanks so much!

One more question- do I have to put this employer on my resume for future positions?

Thanks!

[llg, PhD, RN]

I would ... because if you don't include it and then someone finds out about it later, you could be viewed negatively. It would look as if you were hiding something -- and that never looks good.

If asked about it, just explain what happened truthfully. They mislead you about the hours and you got a better offer.

[Lillian2515]

I was in a terrible situation as an orientee a couple of years ago while I was in nursing school. I got a job as an aide with a nursing home and my final moment came when two of the other aides decided it would be best to try to humiliate me in front of a patient. I left. I was not on the schedule yet. I could not stay one more minute. There were all kinds of violations going on at this particular facility and I was already disgusted with the job.

Unfortunately, for me, I'm looking for a nursing job now and I didn't realize that the company that owned the nursing home also owns the hospital. I decided to go ahead and apply for a RN position and they actually called me for an interview. I left a section blank on my application where it asks if I ever worked for them before. I really don't know if I was considered an employee or not when I left. After leaving I wrote a long letter to HR apologizing for leaving so abruptly and listed my reasons for leaving. The letter was very detailed and professional. The DON was not happy, but I don't think she's there anymore.

The interview is next week. It will be interesting to see how they bring up my abrupt departure from the other job....two years have past....I hope they will realize that I have learned a lot since then and give me a second chance....since I too am willing to give them a second chance. I wish now that I had not been so inexperienced and had gone up the chain of command to address the issues....but...what's done is done. Going for the interview and hoping it will turn out well.