Quit my job (again)...

Nurses General Nursing

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I know it looks bad to job hop. I know it looks bad to not give two weeks notice. I know sometimes things get bad before they get better, but I just couldn't do it anymore. My hours were recently cut from 36 to 12, staffing is HORRIBLE (1 CNA on the floor for 22 residents, except for a bath aide from 0600-1300), nursing is supposed to be taking care of laundry and housekeeping, nursing has to fix breakfast for three residents three days a week, and I'm seeing things that I consider to be abuse and neglect.

I had an interview yesterday and the job is mine if I want it. It's a 30 bed facility with 5 CNAs on during the day, three in the evening, and two at night. There is also a bath aide and a med aide during the day. They have a lot of residents with dementia, so there is always someone wandering and trying to get into things...I like those patients. They have three CNAs who have been there more than 20 years and every other CNA has been there at least three years. They pay well, they have an awesome benefit package, and they have a cottage I can stay in since I live out of town. It looks like a really good deal.

I have an interview at the end of the week at a hospital in the area. They have a similar benefit package and good staffing ratios...they try to keep everyone with 5 patients or less and they have an awesome reputation in the area.

So...I went ahead and gave my notice. I didn't give a full two weeks because I requested days off at the end of next week and I didn't get them. I know that sounds lame and might come back to haunt me, but the days off are really important to me.

I'll decide what to do after I interview on Friday (if they offer me a position).

Well...last night I learned somesthings that are quite interesting. First of all...they no longer allow anyone to work out their notice. When I walked in, I had already been replaced for all of my shifts except last night...they couldn't get anyone else to cover, so they "let" me come in. They don't want residents to know anyone has resigned until they have completed their final shift...they are going to start "announcing" it at the first meal after the employee has left.

My DON said she understands why I am leaving and that she is thinking about doing the same. The facility considers me ineligible for rehire, but she would be "honored" to give me a personal reference.

There is a group of residents that have contacted the state police about investigating some financial matters. The state police are also investigating why several employees cancelled their Alfac, but never remember signing a cancellation form and are still having the money taken from their paychecks. Residents are being charged for supplies that they are not using...for example, we have a lady with a colostomy who changes her bag every two or three days (she empties it and rinses it daily), but is being charged for a bag every day.

I'm glad I am out of there. Still not sure where I am going to end up, but anything beats what I was doing.

Specializes in Assisted Living, Med-Surg/CVA specialty.

Why are you "ineligible" for rehire? Is it just b/c you quit?

That's not reason for you to be ineligible.. I can see if you were a horrible employee or that if you gave NO notice for your resignation.

I'm ineligible because I gave less than 30 days notice. I actually gave less than two weeks notice. I told them I was not aware that they wanted 30 days notice because despite asking for one several times, I was denied a copy of the policy manual. They didn't respond to that comment.

Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

If you haven't done so already, I would sit down and write out everything that happened while you were there. You may need it. Documenting it all while it's going on is best, but better now than never.

Sometimes it's very convenient to blame problems on a former staff member.

It sounds like anything is better than that place. I would have bailed after my first shift.

Specializes in SICU.
It sounds like anything is better than that place. I would have bailed after my first shift.

Yeah, I'm thinking the same!! Among other things, I have issues with scrubbing my own toilets! :lol2: I can't imagine being responsible for that AND patient care as well.

That place sounds like a little house of horrors... glad you're out of there!

Specializes in Geriatrics, Med-Surg..

I just left a place like this. Don't blame you. I think with the way some of these LTC facilities are run, it is almost ridiculous to call someone a job hopper. Good luck to you.

Take it. Your current place sounds like a horror show.
And document your observations of abuse and neglect, and forward to your health department.

The patients deserve better. You have nothing to lose now.

Well...I have been offered a job on the medical floor at the biggest hospital in the area. It is the one I really wanted, so I accepted. As long as my references check out OK and my drug screen is negative, I start orientation on the 23rd. I have a week of general orientation and then I get to start training on the floor. I'm pretty excited. I've been told it is the busiest and most demanding floor in the hospital...I hope I can keep up with the pace!

Specializes in med-surg,sa,breast & cervical ca.

You know most nurses in my neck of the woods do a bit of job hopping and no one much cares. It sounds like your situation is intolerable, pitching in is one thing but you are being taken advantage of- I agree sounds like a nightmare-Good luck on your next venture, it's gotta be better!!

Ms.P

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