About to quit med-surg

[Newbie_1]

I am a new grad ASN nurse. I have been working as a school nurse per diem for 5 months and med surg full time for just over three months (just off orientation). I wanted the year of acute care experience. My unit is severely understaffed, ratios 7:1 most shifts, 5:1 on a good day. 5:1 is perfection as far as I'm concerned. Sometimes we have only 1 aid. Which means primary care in addition to RN duties. My last shift was 7:1 with three patients as primary. I was still passing morning meds at 1p. I don't feel like experience will change the fact the unit is understaffed with no resource pool with a few floaters, and more importantly not safe for the patient. I don't want to risk my license for this place. I am at my wits end, and the toll is pulling at my personal life. As I end this partial vent, I plan to give my letter of resignation while I'm off to be effective immediately. I will pick up more days as a school nurse, but my question is this... The three months I spent is now a waste of space on my resume? I will finish my RN- BSN program in 8months, and want to apply to better hospitals; a different area like outpatient surgery, or an office position. Is this realistic?

[NorCalKid]

I was talking with a buddy this week (graduated together now work the same unit). I remember him saying every shift used to be terrible. Now I get a terrible shift here and there. I totally agreed with him. It was really rough for the 1^st year. Now over a year experience and there are times when I actually enjoy my job. We have both been approached about moving to more acute care units and can take our M/S experience anywhere. I'm really glad I stuck it out (and we are on a very difficult unit with post OP's and often no aid at night).

It took me 6 months to stop dreading going to work and about a year to start feeling comfortable. Like when leaving for work and driving to work. There are still lots of situations on the floor where I feel out of my depth and look to the charge but I feel comfortable the support I need will be available (we have great charges).

I am obviously not a manager and have nothing to do with hiring. I would consider 3 months experience as zero experience and that I will need to put you through a full orientation. 8 more months is nothing, suck it up. BSN with one year experience of BSN that couldn't handle first job and quit on resume (sorry to be blunt).

[guest64485]

7:1 dayshift is absolutely unsafe, especially when you have no tech help for some of them. Ridiculous. Is the ratio the same on nights? Perhaps request a shift change.

[Riotgrrrl]

What ended up happening? Did you quit?

[erifica]

I can't even fathom 7:1 on med surg without an aide on days. I wouldn't feel safe. The hospital I work med surg is 4:1 days. The hospital scores very well on safety. It is hard but doable. I worked med surg 1.5 years full time and now I work per diem. I like the hospital I work for, hard but I could never see them trying to shove 7 patients onto an RN.

[Newbie_1]

Yes I left. I went part time nights at another hospital. Relocated actually with relocation bonus. I'm thankful to have such a supportive family, and friends. Better pay, and location. Ratios are 5-6 on nights. I will apply for endoscopy, or radiology in a year.