Advice needed. Frustrated about new job. Thinking of going elsewhere.

Katnip, RN · Jul 31, 2003

You don't have to burn bridges to find another job.

Just tell them that when you were hired, you'd beenled to believe you'd have a specific position, one that you had your heart set on, and that you've found one feel is a better fit. Also you need a steady job, you can't afford on-call. No finger-pointing, just simple facts.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2003

Wow. So much so soon in your career. Please do not get discouraged. I think you should talk to your nurse manager and voice your concerns. Tell her what you like, what you don't like and what you think could be done about situation. Forget the part about "who you know", as that sounds personal. Be objective. If no relief there, go to HR. Do you have a Liaison or staff development person? Good luck

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2003

I responded in your other thread as you know, but have you also realized that on-call is not guaranteed work? If they don't need you, they won't call you. I know you mentioned before that you were in a difficult financial position. What a mess. Did you sign a contract when you were hired? The first thing I'd do is review the contract I signed and see if there's anything in there that can help you out. I'd contact the recruiter who hired you as well as every manager or administrator I could get my hands on. What are the other new nurses doing in this situation?

Oops, sorry, just re-read the thread...didn't mean to echo cyberkat.

Also, ARE YOU KIDDING ABOUT FLOATING TO ICU? OMG, what are they, out of their minds??? No way, sister. Med/Surg is bad enough with crappy orientation, but Neuro? I'd never do that. And ICU? Kimmi, if they're floating you to ICU with no experience they've lost their flippin' minds. Your first year of nursing is hard no matter where you are- new meds, procedures, diseases, interventions, policies, protocols, etc. to learn. And that's in one unit for your first year, not with two flimsy weeks of "orientation" before throwing you out on your own. Think about it. You're in serious trouble if something happens to one of your patients, with or without your conscious knowledge, while they are under your care. What happens if the team you're working with is busy or refuses to help you? In a court of law, you accepted the job and the assignment and can then be held responsible for patient outcomes that were affected by your care (or lack of, or misdirected care).

kimmicoobug · Jul 31, 2003

hey purple.

I decided yesterday when I found out about most likely becoming an on-call float that I would ask my director more specifically about this. Then I was going to talk to HR. Tomorrow I am going to the other hospital in town to apply for their one and only position that would be appropriate for me to get hired into, OB. Only problem, doesn't have a lot of births and it is a closed unit. Meaning they don't float and are ALWAYS low-censused. I am also going to go pick up applications at three hospitals about an hour away. This would mean a commute, yech.

The thought has also crossed my mind to keep the on-call float position we are all guaranteed and work full time elsewhere until a spot opened up. When talking to a senior nurse yesterday, she did say that I would probably get hired over someone else since I will be oriented to the unit already.

Anyways, thanks for the replies. The advice is very sound since I have minimal experience in being assertive when it comes to my needs.

sjoe · Jul 31, 2003

"Just tell them that when you were hired, you'd beenled to believe you'd have a specific position, one that you had your heart set on, and that you've found one feel is a better fit."

AFTER you have found, been offered, and accepted another job, that is.

(BTW, you certainly sound demanding for a new grad. Exactly your way, on your schedule, or the highway. Keep the attitude and you can expect to do a LOT of job changing, IMHO. Well, variety IS said to be the spice of life.)

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 31, 2003

This is famous in OB. They think they can just float us any-old-where and screw it that we don't DO ICU/med-surg, etc. Yet often we cannot count on med-surg, ICU or ER nurses to help US out when we are slammed----nope they are "too busy"....It is not uncommon. In many places, OB nurses are at the bottom of the old hospital food chain; now you see.

Sounds like a bait-and-switch trick was slipped your way. I don't know about you, or WHERE you are, but I would start looking elsewhere. NOW you know the questions to ASK WHEN INTERVIEWING FOR A POSITION!!!!!

I work in a closed unit. Means we don't float, period. I like that better than coming in and finding I was going to ER, ICU, med-surg whatever and to be on-call in case OB got busy. Talk about risky. Think of all the germs/bugs I would be bringing back to ob/newborn floor doing this.

Anyhow, I wish you the best. Some people LIKE floating. If that is your thing, this could work out. But being ON-CALL, like they told you here, means NO guaranteed hours for you and likely you will be the first called off when low census situations arise (or the first floated). IT's up to you, whether you can live with this. I wish you well, my friend.

Gardengal · Aug 1, 2003

If you are not happy in your job, there are always other jobs. However, you have only given it a few weeks and based on what you say about the other area hospital for OB, if you are set on OB you might be causing yourself difficulty to act too hastily.

Are you prepared to change cities to get an OB only job? It seems that those positions are ones of longevity and don't open up frequently. Do you think that maybe being oriented to many positions in a hospital and being able to say that you are able to work in all of those areas might stand you in good stead for an OB job later if there aren't any now?

fergus51 · Aug 1, 2003

Look elsewhere. You are not being too picky, the hospital is pulling a bait and switch. You could always make it very clear that you would love to come back should a stable job in OB with regular hours come up

kimmicoobug · Aug 10, 2003

Sigh...here is my update. Alot has happened since I last posted on this thread. I decided to not be rash and confront my director on my days off. I decided to take some time and think about my situation and decided to get my facts straight before I made any hasty decisions. So, on Friday, I talked to my director. She told me that unfortunately there are no positions in OB, but I was first in line if a position opens up. She has gotten positive feedback from the staff nurses about me. Then she said that she didn't realize that she was still in charge of the rest of my 12 week orientation, which there are four weeks left. She told me there is a few med-surg positions and one for the float pool and that I should ask for a transfer to another unit. So, she said what she would do to see about finding me some shifts over the next four weeks. My orientation to OB is over after two weeks. I have spent two weeks in ortho/neuro, two weeks in med/surg, and two weeks in OB. For the next two weeks, I have picked up two shifts in OB, where I will be working independently on my own. Other than that, I have no hours. I am going in again to talk to her tomorrow about shifts, and then down to human resources to discuss my options. I am very worried all of a sudden. I wasn't quite prepared to worry about losing my full time status just yet. I knew in four weeks time I would have to have another job, just not yet. Tomorrow, I am also picking up apps at two other facilities. Hopefully, I can find a job very soon.

This whole orientation program has just been a nightmare.

I know that I sound very complaining, but it hasn't all been negative. The staff I work with is great. I like them and they like me. They don't understand the logic concerning this program. The director is a very nice lady. I have gotten good feedback from everyone. My mentor isn't exactly holding my hand, but is acting more as a resource when I don't know how to do something or have a question. No complaints because I learn by doing.

Ok, well enough rambling from me. I know it has been a while since I have responded to this thread. I thank those that have responded previously.:)

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2003

I think you are doing the right thing by questioning your boss, and keeping your options open, re: getting apps from other hospitals.

I usually agree w/ sjoe, but in this thread I must disagree. I do not think you are being too demanding. One of the things that we nurses have done to hurt ourselves is that we are not demanding enough.

-jt · Aug 11, 2003

I have been a nurse for about 3 weeks now. >

#1 You need continuity and stability in your orientation and at the beginning of your first job as an RN so you can learn the ropes. Float team is not for brand new grads. Its not the kind of thing that offers much support or assistance in the transition from student to RN. Even experienced nurses many times feel like a fish-out-of-water when they have to float. Its stressful for experienced nurses to be hopping around all over the hospital - imagine a new grad having to do it before she even has a chance to get her bearings as a real RN. Putting a new grad on an on-call float team short-changes her & is not fair. You might be better off taking the f/t med-surg position for now, honing your skills & building your bank account. Maybe even volunteer for ot on that OB unit in your free time. Or you could always work on another unit & apply to transfer into OB when a f/t position comes up.

#2 I cant imagine that any responsible manager would float a brand new grad into ICU to function as an RN - especially when she hasnt even had training in critical care.

#3 You may have been guaranteed an on-call position, but all that means is that you're guaranteed a job that has no guarantee that you will get enough hours to work to pay your bills. Other places call it "per diem". You work when they need you. They dont need, you dont work. Thats all theyre guaranteeing you.

Nurses are a hot commodity today. Shop around. Youll probably find a better offer elsewhere. You may have to be a little flexible, and maybe get your foot in the door of the facility before getting a spot on your dream unit, but nowadays, you sure can get better than on-call float. That place is playing games with you.