Forced to quit, now what

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I am a new grad and just quit 1st job. I was actually forced to resign becaue the management didn't feel like I was picking fast enough for the floor. They extended my 4 week orientation on floor to 1 more week. They told me they would have probably kept me there if they had more personnel resources to mentor me. They also said they can see me picking it up in few more months but right now they needed me ready since the unit was fast-paced, acute teaching hospital. I was miserable there but feel like such a loser for having not made it in a medical unit.I feel so horrible especially after reading other posts that saying no one will hire anyone who quits before 3 months especially a medical floor. Does anyone have any advice for me on a reasonable excuse I can give for future interviews? I been applying but feel so hopeless after reading all these threads. Do u think I should still pursue nursing?.. I feel so lost

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I would not give up at this point. If you do some looking on this site, there are people who have said that they moved around a lot in the beginning while they were still trying to get themselves established. Only exception is maybe the employment atmosphere was more forgiving for them. Some people will also advise you that you are not obligated to report this job because you were still in your probationary status. I do not know about that. Try to find other threads and posts about this and see what you come up with. Hope you are able to get another position in a reasonable length of time.

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Specializes in MDS/Office.

Do you happen to be over 40? Any disabilities? The reason I'm asking is because I won a settlement for Discrimination. Just wondering if that may have been a factor in your case.........

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I don't have any learning disabilities i know of. For some reason, I felt the management was always picking on me on all the things I was doing wrong despise the fact I was improving in weeks. I just wanted to know what a reasonable excuse I can give for future interviews? I feel like no one would be willing to hire me despise the fact that I am willing to work. Right now I'm praying for another chance and I hope I get 1.

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Specializes in NICU.

You only got a 5 week orientation? Is this an acute medical floor? I would never expect anyone to be ready to go after only 5 weeks. I got a 9 week orientation and now they've extended orientation for new grads to 12 weeks minimum. I don't think you should have a problem getting another job if the new place is aware that you were expected to be ready after 5 weeks.

Just make sure that your next job will give you an adequate orientation. Sheesh

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Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.

It doesn't sound like you got a fair shot- at all. I think you should look for a new nursing position and give it another try. As new grads, we have a LOT to learn....but we also know a lot, and we will turn into very good nurses with the proper support and dedication!

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Thankyou guys for the encouragement. there was definitely something wrong w/ their orientation it was 4 weeks of complete classroom and 4 weeks on the floor, which really didn't make sense at all. Do you guys think I should mention this job on my resume since I was still in probation period? 12 weeks, thats amazing

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg, Nursery.

You can't possibly be expected to swim on your own after only 4 weeks on the floor of orientation. That is absurd! Gosh, after 12 weeks of orientation I didn't feel completely ready! 12 weeks seems to be the norm for new grads everywhere I have heard of! I am sorry that happened to you and I wish you the best of luck in the future. Don't give up!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

Don't give up! 5 weeks is no where near the amount of orientation what a new grad needs!! My initial orientation was in med/surg and that was 12 solid weeks and for a few weeks after they over staffed to make sure I wouldn't sink, when I transfered to the ER I got 12 weeks again, including 2 of those months doing M-F 9-5 so I could see as many patients in those 8 weeks as humanly possible lol I wouldn't mention the first job, however if you do and they ask you why you left after 5 weeks, just simply tell them it wasn't a good fit. Good luck in your job search!

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Specializes in Med-Tele, Internal Med PCU.

I was in a similar position, the exception was my first job was ED and we had a 12 week orientation, though personally it felt haphazard. I resigned and was hired soon afterward by a teaching hospital on an Intermediate Medical & Telemetry floor at a University.

I did not hide this experience. I simply stated that I learned alot about myself, what went wrong on my side and how I plan to avoid it in the future, I did not express any negative about the other hospital, stated documented facts and let the prospective employer make up their own minds. You have to own your share of this experience, show the positives that you took from this experience.

I also addressed what I felt were shortfalls with the ED Manager, but I took ownership through the whole process. Although it was a negative, I feel that I left on a positive note and that I was heard by the manager (I noticed there was an opening for the Unit Educator shortly after I left). This simply wasn't a good fit, it sounds cliche but it is/was the truth and unfortunately for all involved, I had that feeling when I took the position, but placed too much trust in the system, the ED manager, my instructors, and a former manager who all convinced me that I would be OK.

In hindsight, I am tickled! This was the best thing that could have come from this situation. I am on a great team, on a Stepdown Unit, with tons of learning and growing opportunities in front of me. So, mourn the loss then get crackin' to get this whole thing figured out and move on.

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Really a 12 week orientation... that sounds wonderful.. I had like 4 weeks and as it is a LTC when orientation is over you are really on your own 1 nurse (me) and 5-6 CNAs.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

AS I recall, most employers consider the first 90 days to be a probation period during which either party can decide to terminate the work agreement. Sometimes things just don't work out. I wish that I had had the smarts to leave a couple of my previous jobs in the first 3 months. Instead I stuck it out, hated my job, and became depressed, all because I wouldn't just call it quits.

I don't have any advice about whether or not to include this job on your resume. I think it would be okay to include it and when asked you can say that it wasn't a good fit for you and the institution. Then leave it at that. THere is something out there for you. Finding it is the next big thing. Don't give up.:nurse:

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