Help, did I get hired onto a sinking ship?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello all,

I just got a new (sort of) job and I am a bit concerned already. Background: it is an ambulatory surgery center, and I transferred from one branch of the company as per diem, to this other branch as full-time. I didn't stay at first branch as full-time because the PACU nurses (what I was doing at the time) NEVER get their breaks. Only a lunch. I need food and a break or I am not a safe nurse, and it's state law. But I digress...

Please tell me if I should RUN NOW or try to stick it out:

-There is currently no RN clinical director; she quit and left mere days before I was hired on. There is a job posting but no replacement yet.

-Hallways overflowing with supplies, supply-chain person seems totally confused and over-worked, we are running out of things because "it's inventory time"

-Scrub techs are not labeling any of the meds or solutions on their field, ever!!!??!

-TWO of the main OR nurses with most knowledge and seniority are leaving. Well, going "per-diem". This leaves the charge nurse, me, and this other OR nurse who seems VERY shaky on her feet; charge nurse even said she didn't feel comfortable having this nurse orient me. But we are so short today and per-diem nurse who knows what he is doing is out sick, so guess who I am training with...

-Charge nurse overheard saying how much she hates her job.

-Charge nurse takes two days off for mental health break, during my FIRST WEEK of orientation. My 4th day on the job, I am in a room by myself, on my own. I handled it fine, but the cases and surgeon were easy. Not even a week, and charge nurse says she thinks I can be "done with orientation". Um, what??

-Scrub tech telling me about worker's comp surgeon with dubious practices ("oh that knee cartilage looks pretty good... *tear* oh whoops, looks like I now need to do a repair $$$")

-Numerous people warning me about one surgeon who hates new people and will "test" you by being a dick to see if you have thick skin, one surgeon who bites your head off if you whistle or hum, one who is extremely condescending etc etc etc

-Manager is friendly enough but constantly looks and seems extremely nervous and un-sure

-Scrub tech saying jokingly that he was amazed I came back after my first day

-looks like some very new nurses are training even NEWER nurses in pre-op and PACU

I am feeling pretty uneasy, guys. However, I have hated all my nursing jobs and my resume looks like I am a job-hopper. There is another surgery center who is interested in interviewing me... should I look into it? Should I stick it out?

Specializes in Operating Room, CNOR.
I hate to say this...but I think you were better off in PACU with no breaks other than your lunch. I hope you're right to say that you "get" a break "per state law". Looking at the law and the exceptions might surprise you. There are usually exceptions to the rule. In all four states I've worked in where my job was something in health care, getting breaks has never been the case. State law in all four states was a period of 30 minutes, unpaid, for "lunch" for hours worked over 4. Doesn't have to be within a specific time, can be whenever they get you lunch. Right before you leave? Acceptable. If you don't want to wait 30 minutes to leave since you're "done" for the day, clock out no lunch.

I don't think that any OR is an easy place to work, though what you're describing is concerning (ours sure isn't "easy" most days and things are generally pretty good). I guess my question is - and I know you're the new person, but why aren't you calling coworkers out on practices like not labeling medications?

I think others have made good suggestions - considering managing your stress and being more informed with decisions about employment, or another career field.

In Oregon, it's 6 hours before requiring a lunch. So, a few times I would start at 7am and be going until 1pm or later before the charge nurse says oh maybe she is due for a break... Meanwhile I am too busy to step away and eat an apple sauce, and if I do, 1 minute later someone is in my face saying "hey aren't you taking the next patient?" grrrr. The company gets to save money by not staffing appropriately, and we are supposed to suffer through and be grateful, and I call BS on that.

I am glad there are some robot tank nurses that can power through but by then my brain has slowed waaaay down from lack of sugar, I am making charting mistakes all over the place, and so far that's the worst of it, knock on wood. Actually considering ketogenic diet just to try and stabilize my energy levels, because I know even excellent workplaces sometimes can't get people their breaks on time.

You are absolutely right about calling out the scrub techs. It's no excuse, but it was my first day and I was just trying to keep my head above water; so I noticed, but was quickly distracted by the bovie not working, patient needing a new airway mid-case, etc.

"Help, did I get hired onto a sinking ship?"

Yes. Definitely. Absolutely.

Next thread.

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
Different physiology/constitution. I am not a diabetic, but literally get shaky and cannot think. I would not want someone like that drawing up my meds, personally. I'm glad you can go without eating all day and be high functioning. I don't think it is weakness to put my health as a priority. I have a couple of chronic conditions, so I might not have the stamina you do and I NEED to practice excellent self-care, so yes, I do look for work places that support their employees in that.

You should be able to raise your blood sugar quickly and fix the shakiness etc. without have to take a full break. Keep something packaged well in your pocket to eat "on the run." Eat protein and fat and whole grain carbs -- and not simple carbs that run your sugar and then let it crash. etc. In other words, learn to eat like a diabetic.

Employers should provide sufficient staffing for everyone to get appropriate breaks. But unfortunately, even with appropriate staffing ... there are times when a nurse has to delay her break and we should all be prepared for that. I've worked with some very brittle diabetic nurses who always carried their favorite pick-me-up in their pocket so that she could avoid any safety issues. I have another close friend with hypoglycemia: she does the same thing. My niece went through a period of hypotension and her doctor recommend she carry salt tablets and to take one with some water whenever she felt herself getting dizzy.

Anyone whose blood sugars (or blood pressure) are not stable and who become impaired when not eating on a regular schedule should carry some supplies with them -- for their own safety as well as their patients' safety. That's just common sense. Be prepared to take care of the immediate safety issue -- which would have bought you time in that first job to look for a GOOD second job.

Don't keep making the same mistake over and over again. Don't just keep jumping from one bad job to another.

Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

I feel sorry for the patients.

"Only a lunch. I need food and a break or I am not a safe nurse, and it's state law. But I digress.." lol. Yea, you need to be doing something else. Maybe home health or occupational health.

Specializes in Critical Care.
Sounds like maybe you need to consider a therapist or classes to help you manage stress. I would suggest you leave nursing for a different career, but facts are that there are no stress-free jobs out there. Maybe a little help managing anxiety would help you adjust and develop some longevity? There are some positions considered less stressful than others, but as soon as I name them those in that specialty will pipe up here to mention the stress they are under. You will need to develop coping skills. However, the job you are describing sounds like a nightmare and not a very good place to try to do that.

There are jobs with less stress. I know because I used to work as a secretary and there was no stress there. I worked for about six different employers some as a temp and a couple for 2 to 5 years and there is no comparison. No stress whatsoever! Of course the pay was not enough. As a new grad my pay was twice as much vs a secretary. Now probably 3-4 times as much, but I do miss those carefree days, even the sometimes boring times! Also you always got your lunch and it was usually an hour! Also was treated very well by all except a word processing job which was the only job that micromanaged the staff. I quit that within 6 months for my best gig yet! Stayed there 5 years till went to nursing school. I sure miss that job!

I think pay would be better if you were a legal secretary or executive secretary or even a paralegal. As far as nursing I've been told clinic nursing or hospice is less stressful. Suggestions consider ultrasound tech as a lateral move such as an echo tech or mom/baby sonographer. Look into any public community tech programs for ultrasound tech. Or consider advancing your career to NP, not that it would be stress free, but a different type of stress. I knew a coworker who got a job as a Dr office manager and she seemed much happier. Just another thought.

Get out, do it now and don't look back because you are indeed on a sinking ship.

Specializes in Developmental Disabilites,.

Try a different specialty. I worked in developmental disabilities and I had my own office. It was snack time whenever I felt like it. It was an easy job too.

Hello all,

However, I have hated all my nursing jobs and my resume looks like I am a job-hopper. There is another surgery center who is interested in interviewing me... should I look into it? Should I stick it out?

It sure does sound like your current place is sinking and I would absolutely get out of that place in a heart beat.

But I underlined what I personally think is the main or real problem here. You said it yourself, you have HATED all your nursing jobs. Hate is a very strong word!

So if it's any consolation, I always tell this to some of the new employees, new nurses, and students alike and that is:

When I'm scouting for a new employer or position, I don't look for a perfect job. But what I look for is what's perfect for me.

That sounds like a terrible way to treat nurse's or anyone

Different physiology/constitution. I am not a diabetic, but literally get shaky and cannot think. I would not want someone like that drawing up my meds, personally. I'm glad you can go without eating all day and be high functioning. I don't think it is weakness to put my health as a priority. I have a couple of chronic conditions, so I might not have the stamina you do and I NEED to practice excellent self-care, so yes, I do look for work places that support their employees in that.

But you stated you were getting your lunch break, just not your 15 minute breaks that are "required" by law and that was making you unsafe. I said I need to eat. And I do. I may not get my whole 30 minutes at once, but I shove something down.

Not getting a 15 minute break throughout the day seems like a weak reason to not go full time. Especially, when you have rent due and have no job.

Follow your gut! It seems like it's already telling you to run as fast as you can in the opposite direction.

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