Quitting after orientation, part deux

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Apr 14, 2006

That last post must have been deleted because I don't see anything wrong with the last post that's there.

My take on the situation...I worked Neuro/Trauma for 9 months then went on to home health. I love both. Neuro could be stressful, so far so good with home health. I've been doing it for a month now. Good luck!

GilbertDaddy · Apr 14, 2006

The care you provide will be a direct reflection of your mental and physical well-being. Before you get too entrenched in a program, I say do what you want and just continue to work it.

Sounds like you're ahead of the game as you already have worked in CH before :)

subee, MSN, CRNA · Apr 14, 2006

PLease, please, please, can I start this topic again? Except for the last post I saw, I thought this thread had some great discussion.
I am going through this matter right now....almost off of orientation and considering a move outside of the hospital. It's not that I absolutely hate the hospital, but I KNOW that I want to work in community health. I already have worked in CH, and it's the whole reason I got into nursing. However, I thought I'd do my year of med-surg, etc first. But now I know of opportunities at the health department that I am completely qualified for, and acute experience doesn't really come into play.
So do I go for my original dream? I have always been the type of person to hold out and stick with something, even if I am miserable. BUt maybe it's time to change that, and just go for what I want.
Perhaps I could continue hospital and get a part time position in CHN? or maybe that's asking way too much of myself.
I hope we can continue this discussion again, and keep it on topic and keep it friendly.

Your year of med-surg will serve you well in CH and you'll look like a real flake is you leave now. You don't think that acute care experience comes into play in CH? If you knew you wanted to be in CH, why are you in acute care?

Unless you have less than six months to live and must spend every moment experiencing only what you want, there's no rush to blemish your record. Believe me, it really pisses people off when someone leaves just after orientation.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Apr 15, 2006

Absolutely, apply for this position that's come up. I wouldn't quit your current position, however, until you are sure you have been hired for another job. You have to either make a choice about asking a new employer to allow you time to give your present employer notice (if you even mention you have a current job) or whether to quit without notice which usually means not being eligible for hire at the hospital ever again. If the job you want to apply for wants a year of med/surg experience, you'll find out soon enough during an interview.

sarita279 · Apr 15, 2006

thanks to all for your input, i do like to hear different people's opinions. i must specifically respond to one post however:

your year of med-surg will serve you well in ch and you'll look like a real flake is you leave now. you don't think that acute care experience comes into play in ch?

specifically what does acute care experience teach me that no other method can, in regards to chn? i really would like to know. i've asked this before on the boards, and never got a response.

if you knew you wanted to be in ch, why are you in acute care?

i guess i was buying into the whole "pay your dues" mentality.

unless you have less than six months to live and must spend every moment experiencing only what you want, there's no rush to blemish your record.

i've spent a great deal of time doing things i dont want to do. yes, i can stick it out (as i mentioned in the original post), but that doesn't mean i should. should i wait for a terminal illness to finally do what i want?

and i don't see a blemish on my record if people still want to hire me with only 3 months hospital experience.

believe me, it really pisses people off when someone leaves just after orientation.

it also pisses me off to be denied a decent orientation period.

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Apr 15, 2006

If your dream job is open, by all means take it

You have the experience to know you'll be happy there.

I'm of the opinion that most hospitals know that losing people through the orientation process is the 'price of doing business' the way they do.

I heard at a nursing conference that it takes approx $90,000 to recruit, orient and bring up to snuff a critical care nurse. You think that means they treat the process like it's worth 90k? Of course not. My experience is the attrition rate (nurses that stay for more than a year vs those that don't) approaches 50%.

But, that's not YOUR problem. Go with what you know you'll enjoy. I think things happen for a reason. If YOUR ideal job came open, I imagine there's a reason.

~faith,

Timothy.

Miss Mab · Apr 15, 2006

believe me, it really pisses people off when someone leaves just after orientation.

it also pisses me off to be denied a decent orientation period.

:yeahthat:

prmenrs, RN · Apr 15, 2006

Actually, IMHO, one of the purposes of orientation is to be sure both sides are a good fit. If it isn't, for either the facility or the new employee, there should be an amicable parting of the ways.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Apr 16, 2006

If the correct job is out there go for it. I've had several people quit in the middle and at the end of orientation and it's kind of a bummer, BUT who wants to work with someone who doesn't want to work with you?

not now, RN · Apr 17, 2006

believe me, it really pisses people off when someone leaves just after orientation. it also pisses me off to be denied a decent orientation period.

have you considered asking for one?

i'm sure if you asked in a professional manner you could get an extension on your orientation if you're not cofortable yet. i just started a job in sub-acute (i was in ltc) and one of the first things i was given when i started was a list of all my working days during my orientation period. next to each date is what is to be accomplished on that day as i am gradually given more and more time "on my own" until i take my own patient load. i was told twice that if i wanted to extend or shorten my orientation i was more than welcome to and i believe it.

if it's not the length of time (maybe you don't get along with whoever they have you with?) you could also ask to be paired up with another nurse.

sarita279 · Apr 17, 2006

Have you considered asking for one?
I'm sure if you asked in a professional manner you could get an extension on your orientation if you're not cofortable yet. I just started a job in sub-acute (I was in LTC) and one of the first things I was given when I started was a list of all my working days during my orientation period. Next to each date is what is to be accomplished on that day as I am gradually given more and more time "on my own" until I take my own patient load. I was told twice that if I wanted to extend or shorten my orientation I was more than welcome to and I believe it.
If it's not the length of time (maybe you don't get along with whoever they have you with?) you could also ask to be paired up with another nurse.

I could ask for more time. And don't get me wrong, it's not a terrible floor...but I did kinda get jipped. I have already had about 10+ total preceptors because there were 7-8 other new grads starting at the same time! I understand the staffing has been incredibly difficult during this time, and there was not much they could do. THey are so desperate for more nurses that they are starting so many new grads (and 3 more starting this week).

Anyways, I would just rather be on my own now and ask lots of questions. Of all my preceptors, the best ones laid low and helped me with the more complicated/unexpected situations.

I don't want to bash the hospital experience and say that its all bad. But I heard about CHN opportunities and it started an ache in my heart that I couldn't ignore...so, I thought I owed it to myself to at least check into the opportunities.