Shortest amount of time at job?

KRODD · Mar 20, 2012

Not a working LPN yet but I work as a CNA for a year, anyway my instructors told us the 6 months at the first position is pretty common most new grads get stuck on rehab or dementia units or other "difficult units".

prettymica, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN, APRN, NP · Mar 20, 2012

I was tempted to quit my first job LPN job after I was written on the first week and I was still in orientation.. But I stayed for 2.5 years and it was only harrassment from the unit manager, she would write me up weekly and call me at home daily(her friends were the DON and ED) but could not explain the proper way to do anything.. she eventually got fired.

ruthalittle · Mar 20, 2012

I've been an LPN for 14 years. Shortest time I've ever stayed on a job? LOL, 1 month! I didn't even list it on my resume. I've known RN's & LPN's who went to lunch on the 1st day of orientation & just didn't return! Those were really unsafe places to work.

Don't let co workers bring you down. As a new nurse I remember a supervising RN telling me that I wouldn't last long as a nurse. (This was when I had to briefly excuse myself to the washroom after performing wound care on a terminally ill pt who's family refused hospice so pain wasn't treated adequately. It hurt me as a human being to cause such pain to another!)

New nurses are understandably insecure with their skills.

I'm not sure what the job market is like where you live, but in Illinois I stuck out a terrible position as a new nurse for 6 months, then easily found another. The following positions were a bit better. It does get better though! I'm now a WCC (Wound Care Certified LPN) & work in home care. I really enjoy this setting. So much of it is the work culture of the company, the attitudes of one's co workers. My current position allows me to work with very competent RN's who communicate well & don't try to shove off work, but share the work load fairly with me.

I don't think that the part time position will be a negative. That's actually an acceptable reason to list for leaving, that you're seeking a full time position, or need more hours.

You've been there 4 months, only 2 more to go if you decide to leave. Good luck!

andreasmom02 · Mar 21, 2012

Thanks so much for your replies, especially yours ruthalittle. I'm trying to stick it out as long as I can, but don't know how much more I can take. The main reason I don't like the job, is because of the way the doctors who work there treat us. They talk down to us like we're maids! They are constantly barking out orders at us, nothing we LPN's do seems to please them, and they have chewed us all out in front of patients more than a couple of times over silly stuff since I've been there. I really do not appreciate being talked down to in front of a patient. It's just unprofessional to me.

Today I needed a break from the place. I am feeling under the weather from stress, plus I'm getting a chest cold. I emailed the office manager and told them I wouldn't be in today. I think I'm going to give my two week notice soon. A job this stressful is just unhealthy, and not worth the low pay.

CaliBoy760 · Mar 21, 2012

A little less than 24 hours. It was Home Health, the client was a non-compliant diabetic who accused me of injecting him with 10 U of air, among other things. I documentated everything, called my agency and told them I would not be returning. No way am I gonna jeopordize my license.

ChristinP · Mar 22, 2012

i worked 2 month at a ltc/rehab facility. it was every friday night snf and every other weekend days rehab. i was lured by the pay $35/hr.

first night there a cna slapped a patient across his face leaving a red swollen cheek. i didn't see it but heard it. the sup decided to allow the cna to finish her shift by allowing her to complete an incident report so she wouldn't lose any pay!?! i reported to don and was told it would be taken care of she seemed full of concern.

i had experience in rehab and ltc which led this company to believe it's okay to be orientated by pool nurses who did not know the building or patients ?!?

majority of the cnas were constantly accused of stealing from each other, patients and other staff. i caught one trying to get into my med cart... twice.

the nurses rns and lpns were just plain mean to the residents

after 2 weeks i was told i was the one responsible for locking all the outside doors on friday nights and would be written up because i hadn't done my job - i swear i was never told and didn't even have keys.

the weekend supervisor liked to have her hair done by another nurse on the floor during working hours - i mean wash, color, highlights and style. she would answer patients call bells with hair dye and a towel on her head!

they ran out of medications, diapers/ chucks... colostomy supplies. i once spent 2 hours searching the entire building for neb tubing to be told the maintenance men stored it with their supplies ???

i was told to chart "patient refused med" instead of med not available.

i called and reported everything to the state and was asked to stay and report everything i saw which is why i stayed an extra month.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2012

I worked as an LVN for a busy nursing home for about two weeks before abruptly quitting. I have never listed this job on my resume.

kboo4656 · Mar 22, 2012

I've been nursing for 15 years and have a pretty good resume. There are two jobs I never list. One was a home style setting, LTC. The owner had a massive MI and passed away the day after I started, The residents were sent to other facilities and it was closed. The second was as a hospice nurse in a large city. I had not been on the job long when they decided I should handle pediatric patients exclusively. I left shortly after. It takes someone very special to make a career helping children die. I guess I'm not that special.

andreasmom02 · Mar 22, 2012

Thanks again for the replies. I'll have been there 5 months when I plan on leaving. Should I list this job on future resumes then? My reasons for leaving are under staffed & low pay. I also want to spend the summer with my kids as a stay at home mom. What would be the best way to word my reasons for leaving in my two week notice? I plan to write a two week notice letter to the office manager.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2012

Thanks again for the replies. I'll have been there 5 months when I plan on leaving. Should I list this job on future resumes then? My reasons for leaving are under staffed & low pay. I also want to spend the summer with my kids as a stay at home mom. What would be the best way to word my reasons for leaving in my two week notice? I plan to write a two week notice letter to the office manager.

You do not owe your workplace a reason for resigning. However, keep it positive so that you'll be eligible for rehire. In all likelihood, your boss knows that the position is overworked and underpaid.

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:

I am writing to announce my resignation from Company Name, effective two weeks from this date. This was not an easy decision to make. The past five months have been very rewarding and I've enjoyed working for you.

Thank you for the opportunities for growth that you have provided me. I wish you and the company all the best.

Sincerely,

Resignation Letter - Two Weeks Notice

caliotter3 · Mar 22, 2012

Have been hired for two employers who never offered me any work, so I would have to classify "never working" as being the shortest time for me. Of course, I never bother to list these employers. When I went to the office to update my personnel file with one of them, the receptionist had the gall to tell me to fill out a new application for employment. I was quick to tell her, no thank you, and haven't bothered with them since.