Disgusted with nursing right now! Job #2 in 3 months!

tsm007 · Jul 28, 2015

And now I just had another freak out. Can I have consequences against my license if I didn't give meds/treatments - the holes I refused to sign off on because I ran out of time to do it? This having a license is stressful!

Undone · Jul 28, 2015

I had a job like that, quit after an extremely short time. I wanted the job and the money was decent, but I was not seeing all of my patients or doing all of the treatments. It was not good and was not safe. I was drowning and, asked every supervisor and the director for help. One supervisor tried to tell them I needed more training but they were all about the money. She told me I should do what I knew was right, it was my last day there. I left that few days of my life off of my resume.

I have a job that I love now.

Good luck.

tsm007 · Jul 28, 2015

I had a job like that, quit after an extremely short time. I wanted the job and the money was decent, but I was not seeing all of my patients or doing all of the treatments. It was not good and was not safe. I was drowning and, asked every supervisor and the director for help. One supervisor tried to tell them I needed more training but they were all about the money. She told me I should do what I knew was right, it was my last day there. I left that few days of my life off of my resume.
I have a job that I love now.
Good luck.

What kind of job do you have now? Trying hard to regroup.

Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN · Jul 28, 2015

Well, I highly doubt any type of disciplinary action can be brought against you for refusing to sign the holey MAR.

I mean, if the facility wants to pursue it, wouldn't they have to fill out incident reports and file them with the DPH/BON? (Stating that Nurse Jane Doe committed x number of med errors, etc)

Doing so would immediately paint them in a bad light.

1. It's weeks later.

2. You would give a statement revealing the not-so-desirable conditions in the facility.

I'm sure the DON/ADON is aware of #'s 1&2, and will not escalate it beyond their telephone call to you.

The only negative I can foresee is that they won't be eager to give you a positive reference if asked by a potential employer.

Keep us updated.

Undone · Jul 28, 2015

I work in a clinic within the community. I won't be here forever, but right now I am learning and content.

tsm007 · Jul 28, 2015

Well, I highly doubt any type of disciplinary action can be brought against you for refusing to sign the holey MAR.
I mean, if the facility wants to pursue it, wouldn't they have to fill out incident reports and file them with the DPH/BON? (Stating that Nurse Jane Doe committed x number of med errors, etc)
Doing so would immediately paint them in a bad light.
1. It's weeks later.
2. You would give a statement revealing the not-so-desirable conditions in the facility.
I'm sure the DON/ADON is aware of #'s 1&2, and will not escalate it beyond their telephone call to you.
The only negative I can foresee is that they won't be eager to give you a positive reference if asked by a potential employer.
Keep us updated.

Thanks! That helped bring my anxiety down a notch.

Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN · Jul 28, 2015

Thanks! That helped bring my anxiety down a notch.

I'm glad. I really don't think you have anything to worry about. :)

TriciaJ, RN · Jul 29, 2015

I did some agency work in a place that sounds hauntingly familiar. They didn't care whether anything actually got done, just that the holes in the MAR were all filled. And I was a seasoned nurse who'd handled all kinds of situations, but I burned rubber out of their parking lot after 5 incredibly stressful shifts and sleepless nights.

No, they can't come after you for the holes in the MAR. You're a new grad and you asked repeatedly for help. They don't have a leg to stand on. I think you can safely apply for other jobs and just be honest with prospective employers. This situation shouldn't be new to them. Just let them know how much you value providing conscientious care and how impossible you found it.

You were right to get out of there. Good luck and don't look back.

kdonna · Jul 29, 2015

Be glad you are DONE!!! I worked at a nursing home for exactly 4 months starting last August. It was my first nursing job and it payed equal to the hospital. 6/8 hours of second shift was medication pass. Yes, butt creams, dressing/bandage changes, and other treatments were supposed to be undertaken by me as well, as well as respiratory treatments, calls to the hard to find doctors, lab specimens, enemas, etc. So assessments had to be in the time you were passing medications and lets be realistic----they were half ass'ed if done properly at all. The well worn nursing assistants did little extra, and had such huge bad attitudes that it was scary to ask them for a thing. Jealous and petty that they didn't make much and had been stuck for decades. They gave rough and insincere care--many residents had UTI's and Loads of bruising. The nursing assistants always took their breaks, and didn't ever follow policy notifying me that they were leaving. One told me it was policy for me to put all creams on the butts, and powders for yeast in peri area. Ok, so I checked with higher ups. Yep policy. So as she performed her tasks, she did not do as I suggested and what a good CNA would do and work with the nurse to accomplish the butt cream task. I had to re-open the briefs and re-roll the patients needing the butt cream each time. Further, she told me I had a bad attitude. Meeting with the supervisor did nothing. I got wrote up for not taking timely vitals on a new admit (previously here before hospital admission), because the patient was somewhere in the building with family for 4 hours. I did look for her and even stop the first shift supervisors on their hurried exit out the door. I didn't know what she looked like. DO WHAT YOUR LITTLE VOICE INSIDE TELLS YOU TO DO. IT'S CORRECT. Something better will come!!!!!!!!!

slauren · Jul 29, 2015

When one door closes another one opens. I'm not sure what type of nursing you want to do but possibly look into your local hospitals and see if they offer new grad programs. Those could possibly help get your foot in the door and they won't expect you to be experienced. I currently work LTC and I understand what all of you are saying. My work has a high turn over because they don't orient very long and most nurses feel like they are drowning pretty much. I learned to swim but surprised I haven't left already. I'm trying to find a new place too.

Good luck!

Tisme · Aug 3, 2015

tsm007,

I'm sorry that you are in this position. Obviously, when applying, nobody expects to be assigned this many patients to care for. That is just plain insanity on the hospital's part.

Adele is absolutely correct in that the chances of this hospital filing a grievance against you are slim to none. If they did choose this path, their incompetence would be be in the spot-light for all to see and then it would go on their record for the unsafe practices they utilize.

First, five days of orientation? That's plain awful and shows their desperation to staff the place. Then, they assigned you to a Unit that you had zero orientation and to add to this same day, they went way outside the prudent guidelines and assigned you twenty four patients. They really expect one person to care for twenty four patients in a Unit where zero orientation has occurred. How would you know the population, expectations, where the supplies are kept, the acuity of the patients, and exactly what your specific role is without ever being exposed to this Unit previously? Wow!!

On top of that, tsm, when the ADON came in, you told him/her that you were having difficulties and were behind in your work. Why, exactly, didn't the ADON jump in to assist you? Was this ADON not patient-centric? I would be pretty angry at this person for not pitching in to help.

Personally, I don't think you have anything to worry about. This organization is probably more concerned about you bringing their unsafe practices to light!

Lastly, when a new employer would call them for a reference, because of the ligitigous nature of our society, ex-employers do not go into a litany of examples about previous employees as some workers have won lawsuits over what was said about them. The new employer would simply ask if they would re-hire you. They would probably say "no" but you would have addressed this on your resume by stating stating you left the job because xxxxxxxxxx. Examples could be: you didn't feel safe practicing there or you didn't feel safe caring for an assignment of twenty four patients. Then, handle your responses in an interview professionally.

I would recommend keeping it simple, not denigrating the previous employer, and just stating a couple of facts, like: the last day that I worked there, they assigned me to a Unit I had not received any orientation to and on top of that, I was assigned twenty four patients to care for. I am a really good nurse but could not work under these circumstances because my patients deserve better. If I were interviewing you, I would put this in the 'plus column' for utilizing critical thinking and realizing prudent, safe care wasn't being delivered because of the staffing model at the old organization.

You made the right decision.

Something better will will come along and you will have this story to tell for the rest of your life!!

Regards,

Tis me