Considering Quitting my Job

cubby777 · Mar 28, 2020

On 3/27/2020 at 11:45 AM, newrnonthefloor said:
The same thoughts have been running through my head. I am shy of two years into working on my acute medical unit, which has now been turned into acute medical/COVID-19 rule out. We are told we do not require the N95 masks, unless the patients are positive, but by the time we do get the results (up to 48 hours when they're hospitalized) we are already after being exposed. Not including other patients who present with symptoms and are not tested since they did not travel. If anything you are safer working on the dedicated COVID floor in my hospital.
My unit has been one of the worst units in the hospital for years, with staff constantly leaving and the changing of managers to hopefully improve things, but I stuck it out despite being offered other jobs because I do not quit anything- ever. We are down to five experienced RN's me being one of them ("experienced" meaning at least a year of experience) and all new graduates from last November. This hasn't hit us yet and with the way I feel already I hate to see what a full blown pandemic crisis would do to my hospital system. As well as our management is currently failing us on our unit.
I am finally at the point now, after considering this during my off days of giving my four weeks notice when I go back. I was never truly happy here, and with this currently going on it really taught me how fleeting and meaningless this life can be if you spend the majority of your time doing something or working somewhere you don't like. I felt this way before and wanted to leave but really feel as though this is my sign to get out now. I love my coworkers, but enough is enough for me and this made me realize I need to get out.
I have nearly two years of hospital experience right now so I am hopeful I can land something else after a couple of months at most. And I have no intention of ever working on my unit again.
As others have said the hospital does not own you. Just say you are leaving for personal reasons or a new opportunity if asked, half the time they don't ask.
Good luck with what ever you decide.

Why give 4 weeks notice? You are increasing your chances substantially of getting sick! If I were you, I would get out now! Actually, quitting is quitting. You can give some notice if you want, but it's really not required. They make you feel that it is. I hope you have something else lined up. Stay well.

GoodNP · Mar 28, 2020

24 minutes ago, cubby777 said:
20% of nurses taking care of covid19 patients in New York are sick. Your idea for "good enough practices" to reuse masks is really not good enough!

The point I was trying to make is that in the beginning, PPE shouldn't have been treated as if they were neverending breadsticks at Olive Garden.

Innocent2021, ADN, BSN · Mar 29, 2020

Beautifully written, and I think you speak for many of us. Everyone has to take care of him and herself, because ADMIN is not going to do it for us. I took care of a woman recently who was admitted with flu. Her lungs sounded like concrete. No air exchange. Febrile. She was not tested for Covid because she did not "fit criteria". She's dead. 52 years old. I was suspicious, and did wear a yellow mask while taking care of her, but others did not. Since then, I have my own N-95 hidden away for emergencies, because I may not be issued one by the hospital.

SansNom · Mar 29, 2020

17 hours ago, cubby777 said:
Why do they think the virus isn't airborne? Early on, the CDC authorities said that it hangs in the air for 3 hours..someoe with CV19 sneezes & it's not airborne???

It can potentially hang in the air for 3 hours after being aerosolized, not just on its own. At least that's the "official" position, but as we know, the authorities on this situation have often been less than truthful.

Again though, I'm not saying we just give up and wear nothing but if it is truly airborne and you are already having a few cases and tons of pending tests like we do, then you're already exposed.

Willcont2montr, LPN · Mar 29, 2020

17 hours ago, cubby777 said:
Why give 4 weeks notice? You are increasing your chances substantially of getting sick! If I were you, I would get out now! Actually, quitting is quitting. You can give some notice if you want, but it's really not required. They make you feel that it is. I hope you have something else lined up. Stay well.

This.

Do they give a notice when they fire people?

No. You will be fine.

As far as references I'm sure you have three friends you can think of.

And lastly next interview if they are bothered by you quitting with no ppe they are not the right place either.

Send an email.

If you feel relieved about even the thought of leaving its the right choice.

Innocent2021, ADN, BSN · Mar 29, 2020

I don't think you have to give a reason. If you do, you are a kind and generous person, anyway. You will find another job. Protect yourself.

DeeAngel · Mar 29, 2020

You’re not a slave, you can do what you want, just don’t quit mid shift. No way would I be working now.

Lilysart · Mar 30, 2020

It is preferable to give 2 weeks notice. Where do you live? That might make a difference.

newrnonthefloor · Mar 30, 2020

On 3/29/2020 at 8:44 AM, Willcont2montr said:
This.
Do they give a notice when they fire people?
No. You will be fine.
As far as references I'm sure you have three friends you can think of.
And lastly next interview if they are bothered by you quitting with no ppe they are not the right place either.
Send an email.
If you feel relieved about even the thought of leaving its the right choice.

I personally would like to give no notice, but I'm in Canada and the union suggests in our contract to give the employer our four weeks notice. I'm unionized by my province, so I don't know if it is different in the US.

I have known people to not give any notice and be hired back but I still think I am giving my four weeks and just being done with it. With my days off I'll only work a handful of shifts.

I pick up casually in a lower risk area, and eventually a spot will open there so I'll probably remain casual for the time being. Luckily, I have a good chunk of savings because I have been planning on leaving this main hospital system for some time now.

Willcont2montr, LPN · Mar 30, 2020

Can you change your status to casual at the hospital to work less shifts sooner?

If not either way. You first

* take care of you first!

newrnonthefloor · Mar 30, 2020

Just now, Willcont2montr said:
Can you change your status to casual at the hospital to work less shifts sooner?
If not either way. You first

No, my management is known for holding you in your current position for 3 months (legally as long as they CAN hold you based on our contract) for a permanent spot. I can't see them allowing anyone to move internally right now, just due to the planned shortage. Never would I be allowed to drop down to PRN there, I'm one of the handful of nurses left that are experienced- a lot of my fellow nurses got out of here a long time (admittedly I should have too). I am going to offer to stay casual when I do leave, but I would never pick up there. It's a very toxic environment and unsafe environment. It'll be easier to pick up my shifts elsewhere where I'm not exposed to potential COVID-19 + patients and not allowed to wear PPE because even though they are symptomatic, they never "travelled" so I'm safe, supposedly.

This has only been a cumulation of things for me. I have been planning my exit/escape for a long time now.

nataliadab, MSN, RN · Mar 30, 2020

I'm a little late-- but have you talked to your child's doctor? For some of my asthma patients and cystic fibrosis patients, we have gotten calls from parents who work in different areas--including Navy, nurse on an adult pulm floor, and pharmacy--and because they are worried about their child we wrote a letter to their employers to figure out alternate ways for them to work or to not work at all and stay home because of the risk to their children. We use a letter template provided by Compass (a CF organization) that states this, then states it is in the interest of the child, and references a paragraph on these patients being protected under law. Actually...let me see if I can show you here:

Re: Letter requesting accommodations for remote or work alternatives

Patient:

DOB:

To Whom It May Concern:

On behalf of my patient, [ X ], I am requesting that [his/her] [mother/father] be given the opportunity to work remotely or be provided alternative accommodations to distance [him/herself] from others. My patient has cystic fibrosis (CF), a progressive lung disease which may put [him/her] at greater risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19.

The CDC has issued guidelines for people who are at higher risk -- including avoiding large gatherings, such as the work place and staying home as much as possible as extra precautions to put distance between themselves and other people.

Individuals with chronic illness, like CF, are considered a protected class under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Considering the current state of risk for exposure to COVID-19, all possible accommodations should be made out of consideration for [X’s] medical condition.

Thank you for considering this request. Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions or concerns you may have at ( ).

Sincerely,

I use this template and fit it to patient and his/her medical conditions whether asthma or PCD or what have you. You should ask your child's doctor.