2 week notice vs leave of absence

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 24, 2015

Trying out another job is not a valid reason for an LOA. Nor is it fair to your current employer.

springchick1, ADN, RN · Dec 24, 2015

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When you guys took your first traveling assignment, did you put in your 2 weeks or ask for a leave of absence for those 3 months until you were sure traveling is what you truly wanted? Curious to hear your responses.

The few people that I've worked with who have left out their notice in. The good employees that wanted to come back were hired back. The bad employees, well, they didn't get to come back.

Like a PP said, taking another job is not a valid excuse for a LOA. I doubt it would be approved anyway. Your best bet is turning in your notice or going flexi.

elkpark · Dec 24, 2015

I've never worked for any hospital that would give an extended leave of absence for anything less than a serious health or family emergency type reason -- not because someone just wanted extra time off. They can't just hold your position for you for an extended length of time in case you feel like coming back.

NedRN · Dec 24, 2015

It never occurred to me to ask and I had no doubts that traveling was for me. The only thing I did prior to travel was to confirm that my skills and experience would translate to other hospitals by working a few days in other local hospitals for an agency.

The job market is not quite as brisk as in the past, but there are still mucho staff jobs around should you decide to bail from travel. But there is no harm in asking for a LOA. The more usual arrangement to hedge your new mode of work is to go per diem but you may find your particular hospitals monthly shift requirements too onerous. Some hospitals have annual requirements that make it a cinch. Sometimes, especially if you are valuable or well liked (usually the same thing), the hospital will bend their usual requirements for per diem staff.

melosa08 · Dec 25, 2015

Thanks for the feedback! I'm just trying to think about the future for those "what if"moments. I feel like traveling would be the next step for me. Just nervous, yet excited.

perfexion, ASN, RN · Dec 27, 2015

I contemplated taking an LOA before my first travel assignment too. Then I thought, "Don't be a wuss! Just do it!" And I never looked back.