What does 90 probation really mean?

MrChicagoRN, RN · Apr 17, 2013

First 90 days they can let you go for any reason, or no reason. Probably not an automatic Do Not Rehire, but it depends why they termed a person.

If you decide to leave, definitely offer at least 2 weeks notice. Depending on wher you are at, and what their needs are, they may say Ok...or that's ok, you can go now.

That's pretty much the norm in most places.

OCRN3 · Apr 17, 2013

I am still orienting but not too sure about it.

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netglow, ASN, RN · Apr 17, 2013

Are your health benefits active? Lots of times the 90 days delays them so that you don't "use" your employer's insurance for that open heart you were needing in your first 90 days.

OCRN3 · Apr 17, 2013

No not after 90 days

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OCRN3 · Apr 17, 2013

I have to wait 90 days till that goes into effect.

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tnmarie · Apr 17, 2013

In theory it is a time where either one of you can terminate your employment without notice or reason. However, if you leave your probationary period without notice, good luck getting your next job. Naturally, they can kick your butt to the curb without reason or notice and without repercussions.

Also be aware that quitting your first job with less six months to one year there raises red flags to future employers and may make it harder to get a job later on. Your best bet is generally to hang on for a year and then move if you are miserable. They don't call it earning your stripes for nuthin!

OCRN3 · Apr 17, 2013

Thanks for all your responses, I think I am going to wait it out a bit longer.I have been doing direct patients care for so many years now just not sure how I'm feeling about teaching yet.

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Inori, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2013

probation is exactly that a try out period between you and employer without too much investemt by your employer. Nurses have unions however you will not be protected by the union until after your 90 day probationary period, aftewards it becomes much harder to fire you. In the meantime 90 days before its up You can be let go for just about any reason short of racism/discrimination but those are hard to prove. Do be on time in arrival, lunch and going home, obey orders unless it puts pt safty, your license or illegal. Get along with your coworkers. document properly and completely. Always aim to do the best job possible. Your very first job will be the hardest as you are transition from student to nurse so there are internal, pyschological and external stress. The first 3 months is the hardest, and by month 6 you will gain confidence but it takes about 1 year to be fully competent Good luck!

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 18, 2013

Orientation is their test drive of you...and I suppose your test drive of them. They can let you go at any time; likewise, you can do the same and leave. However as others have mentioned, leaving a job so early will be a red flag to future employers.

Giving the appropriate notice, while not required, is the professional thing to do and can help you avoid being tagged a DNR (it's not guaranteed though). This is especially important if the facility has several hospitals, since if you're DNR at one you're usually DNR at all. Plus nursing is a small world, and you never know who knows who and where.

Most places will offer limited to no benefits during orientation. You could take sick/personal days but more than likely they will be unpaid until you're off orientation.

IMO, most jobs suck during orientation. If you are truly unhappy I won't tell you to stay. However I do encourage people to give the job a fair trial to get used to the place and the new role. This is especially true for the new grad who's also learning the nursing ropes AND experiencing reality shock at the same time.

Best of luck.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Apr 20, 2013

Always give an appropriate notice. Where I work, we have to give a 30 day notice. Never burn your bridges.

tyvin, BSN, RN · Apr 20, 2013

Don't get hung up on the 90 day thing. Even if you pass the probation period you're not obligated to stay with them (unless you sign a contract). Usually you have updates on how you're doing from them every 30 days during the probation period (or more often). During the probation period at my last job neither the employer or I realized the probation period had passed.

I've been working as an RN for many moons and every one of the places I've worked had a 90 day probation period.

I like the probation period because if you don't like the situation you can leave with no hassle. On the other hand if they don't like you, the same (I believe they say "You're not a good fit for us". Don't take it personally; it's just business.

Concur...don't burn any bridges; Murphy's law will get ya every time. :)