I Put In My Notice!!!...Now what???

[msmel321]

I could really use some help here!

I am an Rn graduate of 8 months now...I started straight out of school on a cardiac/telemetry floor...THEY do not label this floor a step down floor, but we have post op day 1 CABG pt,Cath pt,Fem-Pop,pacemaker placement...lots of copd,chf,renal failure...you get the picture.Our floor has 16 beds.I work 7p-7a.We have 2 RN on this shift and if full 2 CNA...1 CNA if less than 15..sometimes unit secretary.I have never been comfortable with this ratio 8:1 on this floor and was told upon hiring that we would have 3 nurses at night.I have been there 8 months and I can could on 1 hand the number of times there have been 3 nurses on this shift....So after many sleepless nights and many mornings leaving there just thankful that they are all alive..I put in my 2 wk notice.I don't have another job lined up but I felt my license was in jeopardy......So now what do I do...Everyone wants 1yr experience...I have 8 months...any suggestions?

Thanks

[ZASHAGALKA, RN]

I do agree with several things mentioned in this thread:

1. Ultimately you are responsible for assignments you accept. That's a fundamental notion of most BON's NPAs. Your standard of care is neither reduced nor mediated because you were 'too busy'. Someone mentioned they didn't know how to document complaining about assignments. Send an interoffice email to your manager and to the house supervisor stating the date and time and that you object to the assignment given on the basis of safety. Do so BEFORE you accept the assignment and print it off and keep it in a file at home.

2. 8:1 on a stepdown unit is too many. You are right to question such a consistent assignment. It's unconscionable in all cases, and especially so to put a new nurse through such a steep learning curve. It speaks volumes to how your administration views its most precious commodity.

3. In the future, you are better off securing new employment prior to leaving a job. It just puts you in the position of negotiating from strength. First, if you are actively employed, you can request that prospective employers not contact and alert your current manager about your plans. This is a reasonable request and much more effective then having a manager that you just left from give feedback on you. Yes, there are limits to what they can say. But, you can say LOTS without saying it, if you know what I mean. Also, it puts you in a position to negotiate for salary, etc. A potential employer that knows you need a job can negotiate differently then one that knows they have to 'pull' you away from a current job. For example, if you were making 22/hr, and the new job offers 20.50, you CAN say, 'Well, can you match my current salary?' - but only if you have a current salary.

Now what? Go get you a job. Ask the NM about expected ratios and expectations in advance. Ask about what resources you have to call upon if you need help. Ask what recourse you have if you feel the assn is unsafe.

Ultimately this is a Nurse's market. The sooner we collectively realize that, the sooner 8:1 ratios will be a thing of the past.

Remember this: being a good nurse is NOT always the same as being a good employee. And you - you are a nurse first.

~faith,

Timothy.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

I have several acquaintances I graduated with and they have hopped around multiple jobs, sometimes only staying a couple of days. They never have any trouble getting yet another job. Job hopping is bad, but you should never compromise your integrity or license, they are both hard to earn.

You have now learned valuable lessons about what to look out for at next job.

Good luck, you will do fine.

I have a friend that was thinking of moving to another state so she went looking through a couple of hospitals while on vacation. She was dressed in tank top, cutoff shorts and flip/flops and walked out of each facility with job offers after being approached (they thought she was loitering). So it isn't hard to get a job in most places.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I too have done the "lets look around while on vacation" routine. I have been offered jobs every single time too and they are asking when I can start! lol

[msmel321]

Thanks for the replys so far....

As far as how I have handled this situation...I have told my NM, many times of my concerns with the ratio, which is usually the times that 3 nurses will be scheduled, then it goes back to the usual 2.She has also told me that I can always ask someone from the unit for help!She has told me many times that they are working on the staffing, and I have heard thru the grapevine that they have hired 2 new graduates to fill these positions.This staffing problem is a management problem and has been going on for over a year now.Our floor is connected to the CCU and as of next week there will have been 9(from the floor and the unit) that have left due to this same issue.I love cardiac nursing,but this is not an issue that will be resolved quickly.As far as burning bridges, I did put in my resignation letter a request to stay PRN, so as not to totally cut all ties.Which may sound dumb, but I do love this floor.I also thought it may sound better when applying for another posistion.Am I wrong?

I may have pulled the plug too soon, but my big concern is how this will affect being hired elsewhere.Will they look at me as a quitter?

[ZASHAGALKA, RN]

Thanks for the replys so far....

As far as how I have handled this situation...I have told my NM, many times of my concerns with the ratio, which is usually the times that 3 nurses will be scheduled, then it goes back to the usual 2.She has also told me that I can always ask someone from the unit for help!She has told me many times that they are working on the staffing, and I have heard thru the grapevine that they have hired 2 new graduates to fill these positions.This staffing problem is a management problem and has been going on for over a year now.Our floor is connected to the CCU and as of next week there will have been 9(from the floor and the unit) that have left due to this same issue.I love cardiac nursing,but this is not an issue that will be resolved quickly.As far as burning bridges, I did put in my resignation letter a request to stay PRN, so as not to totally cut all ties.Which may sound dumb, but I do love this floor.I also thought it may sound better when applying for another posistion.Am I wrong?

I may have pulled the plug too soon, but my big concern is how this will affect being hired elsewhere.Will they look at me as a quitter?

It shouldn't affect your ability to get a job at all. Constant nursing movement is a CONSEQUENCE of hospital mismanagement. They are all saavy enough to know that they have to deal with problems of their own making. That means a constant level of transient f/t staff.

Believe me, as you cited, it's an everyday occurance for HR managers. From both sides of the picture: recruiting AND retaining.

Firm up your resume, interview smartly, and you'll have a job almost immediately.

~faith,

Timothy.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

Kind of reminds me of trips to Mexico in the shopping districts when they follow you down the street lowering the prices of goods till you can't resist buying. I have a little picture in my head of recruiters following me down the hallway offereing ever better salaries.

It's almost to the point where you don't dare even inquire about a job unless you are really sure you want it because you just know they are gonna give you a job offer.

[msmel321]

As far as the job offers jumping at you....I am in SE Alabama and not alot of choices really...but the wall I keep coming up against is everywhere seems to want at least one year experience.Where were you getting all of your offers from?...Also, I don't know if I mentioned, but I am 47.So I hope that won't play a part in getting a new job!

[lovinghands]

Remember this: being a good nurse is NOT always the same as being a good employee. And you - you are a nurse first.

Great quote!

[cookie102]

well you followed the chain of command, there isn't much you can do after that, you did what you feel is the right thing, that patient ratio is terrible, these are acutely ill patients, not chronics....i am a nsg supervior in home health and i am in need of a RN , and 8 months of cardiac experience would be great. we do 90% of the things they do in the hospital at home. so don't worry about getting a job. and the fact that you are 47 to me is a plus!!

[msmel321]

cookie102...Thanks so much .....you really boosted my spirits..Home health is actually an avenue I had thought about.....but,again I was told 1 yr experience..but I will keep looking with other companies. Are you in Alabama?....I would think home health could afford me more 1 on 1 time with patients if the time is managed well.

[lannisz]

Don't worry. You absolutely did the right thing! Isn't it ironic that 8 months of experience was considered adequate enough for you to handle 8 or more patients of severe acuity almost single handedly at night? Don't worry about the one year thing...or your age. You have showed maturity and wisdom by leaving. Now, take time to think about where you want to go next. You already have valuable experience even if you don't realize it. Be honest in your interviews about why you left. The right manager will see your leaving that situation as a good thing. And please, pay no attention to that second poster who thinks "20 years of corporate experience" is relevant to the nursing world. Things are very different in Nursing.

[HyperRNRachel]

I'm a pre-nursing student...but I have over 20 years of Corporate working experience, and hospitals are a business like any other, complete with their corporate and administrative headaches.

I'll be brutally honest here, I think you pulled the plug too soon.

As a new graduate, even though your current situation is very difficult, future hospitals may look at it as you 'can't handle' the stress of nursing.

It is always, always better to look for a job when you already have one. This is no matter what profession you are working in.

I don't think your license is in jeapardy because 8/1 ratio in post-op is ridiculous, and it's the hospital that is responsible for staffing, not you. Let's say you had two life-threatening situations to occur with your patients in two different rooms at once...do you feel a license review board would think you could be at two places at the same time, or would they take a good hard look at the staffing?

The hospital is CLEARLY cutting the staffing cord too short with only 2 RN's for 16 patients.

There is a serious difference between not being adequately staffed (for comfort) and being critically short staffed (before patient care starts to suffer).

I feel sorry for the patients at this hospital, because they are not getting the care they deserve, and with post-op, I think their lives are at risk.

Please tell me you are joking!