Need help resigning!

Nurses General Nursing

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I need help. I had been a CNA for two years while in nursing school. I graduated last Year and proved myself to my manager who never hires new grads. I convinced her that I wanted to stay and start my nursing career and she wouldnt be disappointed. (A few of her previous hires left within a year of hire.). I have been used to working in the hospital and working the crazy night shifts before but I am not liking it now. I work 12 hour nights, 0.8 FTE every other weekend and I have recently been presented with a clinic RN job that pays a little more and is Mon-Thurs, no weekends, no holidays, won't be put on call and better benefits and PTO accrual. What appeals to me is having a normal life again. I am married with three kids and I must say, I thought I would be happier but I am so tired all the time and am so stressed that the clinic job seems like such a better life choice. Low stress, normal hours, have my weekends and holidays free. I can't imagine. However, I feelso guilty and have no idea what I would even tell my boss and co workers. I just got off orientation last month. I promised them I wouldn't leave like the others. I am trying to come up with a great story that doesn't make me seem like such a horrible person but honestly, it isn't what I want for my life and I can't handle the stress.

Any suggestions?

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Well you sure got yourself in a pickle there. One of those open mouth insert foot deals. You can quit of course but you may have to deal with some consequences for doing this. You might not just be quiting a job, but you may be black listed from ever working at the hospital again and it will be on your work record which other hospitals might see as a problem. Of course if your plan is to never work in a hospital again this won't be a problem.

I would definetly make sure that the job offer is 100% solid before pulling the trigger to tell the hospital about this

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This is a career, and although it seems nursing is our life we have to separate the two! Trust me it's hard. If you're unhappy do for a clinic job. Better hours and so much easier. She has to understand.

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Specializes in Oncology.

How long have you been at the ob job as a nurse?

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Have you been working as an RN since December? So you want to resign from your RN position after 7 months, after they took a chance on you & hired a new grad?

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Go to your manager and be honest with her. Tell her you bit off more than you can chew and your health is suffering from being tired all the time, etc. She will understand. If she wants to hold this against you, then you should make certain that you follow proper policy with notice and get other supervisors and coworkers to provide (if possible written) references before you leave. If your manager offers some kind of PRN position with minimal impact on your new job offer, take her up on it. Then you know that you have not burned this bridge. Good luck.

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Yes. I thought I could handle nights and weekends long term and it is just really taking a toll on my family as well as myself. I just feel horrible however and have the greatest boss. I would stay casual so I could pick up day shifts when I could.

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Sucky situation. I've been in a similar one. I accepted a 3 yr contract that would cost me $10,000 if I quit! I was MISERABLE. I found my "dream job" and left after only one year. I paid a pretty penny and went to a job that was way more miserable. I thought the grass was greener and it was worse! My manager took me back and let me start rt bk where I left off and even gave me my money back.

I personally believe the first years of nursing are usually very challenging and most would say "miserable". It's a very difficult transition and nursing is a tough job. I have good news though.....it gets much better! I'd say give it time, stay put where they gave you opportunity and don't burn bridges.

Also, think about your future. Where do you want to be in 5 yrs? Going from acute care to clinic is easy....it's very difficult to get back into acute care once you go to a clinic.

My personal experience is that I eventually roughed out the first year (s) and earned the spot I'm in today.

Good luck. I understand the stress!

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One thing that is reassuring is a very good friend of mine is an RN at the same clinic and absolutely loves it. I have envied her stories and listening to her low stressjob, normal life and sleep situation. Positions rarely open up there because it is a clinic but is part of a hospital so they receive hospital wages without the nights, weekends and holidays. So, I am not going in blind and making a rash decision. I feel like I can't breath every drive into work. I have talked to a few fellows nurses I work with and they all say that that feeling never goes away, at least not on our unit. It is a very stressful unit and I have realized very quickly it is not for me. I do not want to take years off my life from the stress. I feel like low stress, better hours and more time with my family and sleeping in bed at the same time with my husband outweighs my guilt, but I am still unsure of the best way to go about it. When I took this job, I was in no way thinking I would want to leave already. It is five minutes from my home and love all my coworkers. This is such a hard decision.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

Be honest, that you found a position that is not nights so that you can spend more time with your family. Everyone is replaceable and if they needed to do a reduction in force, you'd be the first to go. As long as you give proper notice and act professionally, there should not be a problem. You won't be the first and certainly not the last to do this.

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Specializes in psychiatric.

I would give the proper notice and try to go per diem or at least ask about it. The clinic job sounds like there is no down side and you will still be learning valuable skills.

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Specializes in Postpartum/Lactation/Nursing Education.

Just be honest with your manager and offer an appropriate amount of notice before you go. People leave jobs all the time. If the hospital hours and stress are too difficult and the new job will help you be happier and be better for your family you have every right to take that job. Follow your heart. Good luck :)

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