I want to quit during orientation...

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I've had 5 days of orientation so for at this LTC facility only one day on the unit I'd actually be working.. I hate it, most of all hate how i cant really care for my patients. It feels unbearable, its 35 patients. So many accuchecks,blood pressures and orders and things to do. You're always interrupted by Doctors , management and everyone thinks nurses do it all. Its 5 12 hrs a week. I haven't been properly trained on the policies and procedures. I FEEL BAD about wanting to quit but its how i feel. I don't know if its fear but i'm scared of jeopardizing my license, I'm scared of making a mistake. Its not a bad facility everyone is friendly and like family. But honestly i'm the youngest there and feel i'm not assertive enough and won't be a good fit. Any advice?

Yes and agency nurses are there daily. The first thing I picked up on when I did my first day. Its a lot of mess and treatments. A lot until the cart have no more room. Patients have no id bracelets.

Okay, it's all coming together now. They have five 12's because otherwise no one wants to pick up after 3/4 each week. Mandate five, decrease costly agency staff. No ID bracelets? I've only seen this in ALFs (which the ones I saw didn't use agency). It takes a while to learn who is who and until you've been there a few weeks, Med pass is a team effort of verifying you have the right resident first.

I wonder how many name changes this place had over the years? Just another sign they may not be the best place to work (or live). Get a bad reputation, change the name, hope to find someone who doesn't put the pieces together...

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I wouldn't do five 12 hour shifts back to back in LTC, you will burn yourself out. Also, do not put your license and peace of mind in jeopardy for no one.

It's two days in between

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You are still in orientation. It works both ways. The facility can say it's just not working out, and so can you.

Best wishes.

I'm going to send an email and tell them this tomorrow

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I worked LTC as my first job. Learn what you can, time management is huge. Stay as long as you can or until you can get a better job. It is difficult, try to get them to get you off of all the OT and go forward. You got this

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I worked LTC as my first job. Learn what you can, time management is huge. Stay as long as you can or until you can get a better job. It is difficult, try to get them to get you off of all the OT and go forward. You got this

I don't think I have this. I don't have a good feeling about this.

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Keep us posted ! Best wishes!

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People stress way too much about what to say in a resignation letter. There is no way to quit this situation that the management will like because they are desperate for you to stay. The resignation letter goes, "Dear DON (or whomever), Regrettably, I will no longer be available for work at Scary Skilled Nursing after (insert date here). While I appreciate the opportunity I was given and the support and collegiality I have felt from the other nurses (never hurts to say something nice), my brief orientation has not prepared me to be an optimal team contributor. Thank you.

Or just say, "Personal issues have come up which make working that schedule impossible at this time," or "My current skill set and the requirements of the position are not a match at this time."

60 hours a week as a new nurse after five days orientation is a recipe for burnout if not a nervous breakdown. Not because the assignment isn't do-able, but because it will be a while before you have your time management down. Meanwhile, your license is at risk every day. If it was eights, or four and three, then maybe, just maybe. But 5 twelves as a newb is NUTS.

On the other hand, every new position is going to feel scary and un-doable at first. Sometimes you have to try it to know. But if you know in your gut this isn't for you, get out safely now.

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I worked in a burn ICU early in my career. I was in way over my head. I was probably going to get fired at the end of my 90 day probational period anyway. I hated it there and it seemed like the feeling was mutual. I just couldn't keep up, I wasn't ready for that unit in a hospital with a level 1 trauma center in a major city. My mom is a retired ICU nurse with 35+ years of experience. On day 85 of my 90 day probational period I was in the parking garage, crying like a 12 year old to my mommy, and telling her I hated my job so much I didn't even want to get out of the car.

She told me I would never give good patient care on a unit I didn't want to work on. That I was still on orientation, and to just put my car in reverse and go home... so I did. I emailed HR and my boss and told them I appreciated the opportunity but I did not think I was a good fit for their unit. I thanked them for investing their time in developing me and offered to transfer to a unit I had more to offer to. I was not extended another position, but I was eligible for rehire.

The hospital is not on my resume, but if asked in interviews, I openly explain what happened. I have had many managers commend me for recognising my limitations and having the courage to speak up instead of potentially giving unsafe care.

Obviously I omit the part about crying to my mommy in the parking garage.

I don't care why you don't want to work on your unit, once "patient safety" come out of your mouth, they won't judge you.

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I've quit during orientation before. I showed up at the place after being promised a part time night position with rotating weekends only to be told it was days only, every weekend. I flat out told the nurse manager it wasn't the position I signed up for and resigned right then and there. "Right to work" is a 2-way street.

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.
Its 5 one week then 3 the next week

I've never heard of such a schedule! The 3 12's obviously isn't so bad, but the 5...

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I've never heard of such a schedule! The 3 12's obviously isn't so bad, but the 5...

Yes I thought it was going to be three 12's as well but was fooled

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

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