Quitting job and feeling guilty about it, don't want to burn bridges

Nurses General Nursing

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I recently took a job which I am desperate to quit.

The staff is wonderful, but the work is mind-numbing.

I was hired to be charge nurse, but thanks to a generous sick leave policy, the CNAs call in sick all the time. I have to work as a CNA at least one to two times a week. I don't mind the work, but my old back can't take it.

The unit is a LTC/locked down behavioral, and rehab unit in one. It is within a hospital. There is a PA on duty 40 hrs a week. The guy is so order happy, he literally writes a hundred orders a day, most of which are useless, imo, and just make sooo much busy work.

I charge, but also take a hall of 20 pts. There a 60 pts total. I have to do the med-cart thing. The 0600 med pass is huge. It takes an hour and a half to prep for the pass and three hours to do it. Because of this, there is no time to truly charge, or know what is going on with the pts on other halls. Luckily, the CNAs mostly know what to do and do it, because I have no time at all to follow up on their work or check on them.

I am used to using my assessment and critial thinking skills to their fullest. With this job, the overwhelming, mind-numbing med pass takes up all my time and energy, and there's no time for real assessments or pro-active interventions. I am really not being utilized as an RN.

I dread going in and hate it every second I'm there.

I would like to stay at this hospital, but I cannot wait for another position to open up. I need to get out of that unit now. Many nurses who have seniority are trying to get out of the LTC unit, so I don't have much chance at any openings in other units. Staff are considered for jobs on other units based on seniority and who they know. I'm new, and I don't know anyone.

I did not even apply for this job- I applied to the endo clinic, but a nurse with more experience got the position.

When the LTC manager called me out of the blue and offered me the charge job on her unit- without ever having interviewed me or even laid eyes on me, this should have been a red flag.

I would like to work for this facility, but not in this unit.

How do I quit this job without burning my bridges and feeling guilty for leaving? The facility has put a lot of time and effort into my orientation.

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Wow - that sounds like a hard unit.....I don;t think you should feel bad for leaving - just be diplomatic and firm.....

Also might be good to get another job before resigning.

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Your best bet is to simply leave on good terms.

Give notice according to facility policy, without stating a reason for leaving. Work your remaining shifts giving your "all". Complain to no-one. Do not say anything negative about the facility or unit in your resignation letter, exit-interview, or verbally to anyone.

Keep in touch with your co-workers, managers and HR, and hopefully you will get some inside information about upcoming positions.

Good luck!

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I also agree that you should get another job before resigning because any way you look at it, you are quitting and new employers are going to be questioning what was wrong. You can't depend upon the present employers to give good accounts of your job performance. Be firm when you do go. If you are asked why you left, tell them what you told us, but try to be diplomatic. Say it was not what you were expecting. Good luck.

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I don't know.

:(

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Jolie put it perfectly. Never feel guilty for moving on for your own reasons. I've never gone to an exit interview. They know what's going on. Bridges once burnt are very hard to cross again.

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I say begin looking for another position but give appropriate notice to your current job. If you feel this is not a good fit or meeting your expectations, move on. I agree with others to be diplomatic in explaining your reason for leaving soon without being overly critical of the position.

The job was not what you thought it would be, the best of your nursing capabilities are not being ultilized period.

Good luck!

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I recently took a job which I am desperate to quit.

The staff is wonderful, but the work is mind-numbing.

I was hired to be charge nurse, but thanks to a generous sick leave policy, the CNAs call in sick all the time. I have to work as a CNA at least one to two times a week. I don't mind the work, but my old back can't take it.

The unit is a LTC/locked down behavioral, and rehab unit in one. It is within a hospital. There is a PA on duty 40 hrs a week. The guy is so order happy, he literally writes a hundred orders a day, most of which are useless, imo, and just make sooo much busy work.

I charge, but also take a hall of 20 pts. There a 60 pts total. I have to do the med-cart thing. The 0600 med pass is huge. It takes an hour and a half to prep for the pass and three hours to do it. Because of this, there is no time to truly charge, or know what is going on with the pts on other halls. Luckily, the CNAs mostly know what to do and do it, because I have no time at all to follow up on their work or check on them.

I am used to using my assessment and critial thinking skills to their fullest. With this job, the overwhelming, mind-numbing med pass takes up all my time and energy, and there's no time for real assessments or pro-active interventions. I am really not being utilized as an RN.

I dread going in and hate it every second I'm there.

I would like to stay at this hospital, but I cannot wait for another position to open up. I need to get out of that unit now. Many nurses who have seniority are trying to get out of the LTC unit, so I don't have much chance at any openings in other units. Staff are considered for jobs on other units based on seniority and who they know. I'm new, and I don't know anyone.

I did not even apply for this job- I applied to the endo clinic, but a nurse with more experience got the position.

When the LTC manager called me out of the blue and offered me the charge job on her unit- without ever having interviewed me or even laid eyes on me, this should have been a red flag.

I would like to work for this facility, but not in this unit.

How do I quit this job without burning my bridges and feeling guilty for leaving? The facility has put a lot of time and effort into my orientation.

Your unit sounds like a horrible place (lockdown within a hospital) that I used to work at 14+ yrs ago. I didn't last a year and I was a new nurse but I wanted to vomit everytime I went to work. All I can say is they (the powers that be) KNOW how horrible it is (that's why they hired you without even an interview).....You should resign and keep it professional - you miss "whatever type of nursing" you used to do. Since they did 'invest time in you' they may offer you another position but don't stay if they don't....I don't think any job is worth the stress you are under.

You'll find a new job and you'll be more careful next time to look for the warning signs.

good luck to you!!!

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Specializes in Hospice, Med/Surg, ICU, ER.

No reason to feel guilty: your FIRST responsibility is to YOURSELF.

Sounds like you work in a pit - find a new job, then GO!

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Your best bet is to simply leave on good terms.

Give notice according to facility policy, without stating a reason for leaving. Work your remaining shifts giving your "all". Complain to no-one. Do not say anything negative about the facility or unit in your resignation letter, exit-interview, or verbally to anyone.

Keep in touch with your co-workers, managers and HR, and hopefully you will get some inside information about upcoming positions.

Good luck!

This is great advice. I wish you the best.

steph

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i agree with above..check out the available jobs out there, you may find that this is a blessing in disguise, when you give notice let them know that this floor is not a good fit

don't limit your choices, there are a lot of options out there, work for a while at something else and if you want to go back to this hospital put in a app with the specification that you do not want to be put back on this floor

they know what they have here, i am sure that they have had problems with staffng before. so don't fall into the 'can you stay until we get a replacement' trap

good luck on your choices

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Jolie put it perfectly. Never feel guilty for moving on for your own reasons. I've never gone to an exit interview. They know what's going on. Bridges once burnt are very hard to cross again.

I have gone to exit interviews (at a horrible hospital job I had...and in business)

I never burnt any bridges, I thanked them for all opportunities and always kept to my story that it was for "family reasons" or wanting to gain a different type of nursing experience. Once you give notice it's like a wonderful burden is lifted.

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