help! resigning from an unsafe facility after working only a couple weeks

dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I · Dec 19, 2010

I'm assuming you've concluded you can't bring the change that's needed. Most certainly send a letter, I'd even make it a return receipt. I'd explain my reason for leaving without going into detail, and offer to discuss your concerns at a later date. This way you've covered your asterisk, and shown a commitment to the needs of the patients. Of course keep a copy for yourself, and a detailed anecdotal record of any conversations that follow. Anecdotal records are strong in court, and you don't want to chance being blamed for something out of spite since you're leaving. All nice and professional. Good luck.

nurseyNJNYC · Dec 19, 2010

do i even list this place on my resume??

dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I · Dec 19, 2010

do i even list this place on my resume??

Tough call. With the background checks many employers do, they'd probably find out about it. My thought would be to list it, and give reason for leaving as something like "ethical concerns" and refuse to elaborate. (never bad mouth any former employer anyway). If you're applying in the same general locale, those you apply to may well know the reputations of other facilities in the area, and by saying only that you left "due to profesional concerns" in an interview you'd probably make a lot of points for what you don't say.

ocean waves · Dec 19, 2010

Hello. I understand your comments saying "...do not want to look like a quitter..." and "..quitting immediately will possibly look bad on future applications...". Employers expect professionals to give them at least two weeks notice of resignation. I agree with the other writer who said a careful letter of resignation would be appropriate. Maybe consider submitting a constructive two weeks resignation letter ( to document that you have professionally asked for improvements regarding patient safety). Consider hanging in there for only two more weeks and doing your best to provide high quality care to your patients (to protect your job reference). Best wishes!

Guest717236 · Dec 19, 2010

If the situation is as bad as you say, my vote is to leave immediately.

If the facility were open to constructive suggestions to improve patient

safety they would not be in the situation they are in. Your current

workplace would be a safe and excellent place to work and you would

not be leaving if management had a safe appropriate atmosphere.

Keep good records dates of incidents and concerns you have.

As for your resume, no one should fault you for leaving an environment

which is not safe for your patients (and you). You have worked in an

excellent atmosphere at one time, so your judgement is on track.

As above, let interviewers know this situation had numerous concerns.

roser13, ASN, RN · Dec 19, 2010

In terms of being thought of as a quitter: Keep in mind that the nursing world is a small world. You are likely not the first nurse to express concern over that facility, nor will you likely be the last.

Any future employer in the same geographical area will probably not even question a 2-week employment.

steven007, BSN, MSN · Dec 19, 2010

As others have said it probably would be more professional if you clearly stated your reasons for quitting. However, what concerns me is if this place is so unsafe and awful, I'm worried for patients at this facility! So you should really write a clearly stated letter about the issues you're having and purpose some solutions? You don't need to stay of course, but I think it'd be good to advocate for some change to such a place, as it would benefit the patients and other employees in the long run. And remember you are protected under a license, if you feel something is out of your competency there is no shame in saying no!

Good luck!

netglow, ASN, RN · Dec 19, 2010

OP, I found myself in a dangerous situation. I left. But I was there a bit over a month. I gave my 2 weeks notice and remained professional. It was a tough decision to do the two weeks. Still don't know if that really was wise. I feel lucky to have done it and got out without anything happening (as far as I know). And that is the thing, it's gonna be as far as you know. I may be a new nurse, but my previous career was in another litigious world, and I am finely tuned to these things. Its hard, the things some places do, and want you to do are so blatent that you are stunned to disbelief. And, this being my first nursing job, I hesitated to leave in favor of waiting out another job. Well, sometimes you just cannot do that. I've got all corrospondence, in triplicate, just in case.

superwifenursewoman · Dec 19, 2010

Steve, I know this may be the unpopular comment but can you contact your nursing body and speak to a practice adviser?. I think of the patients who are going to be left in this place after you have left. Sometimes people are so used to doing wrong they dont recognise it anymore and its only when an outsider comes in that change is made. I dont think you should do it on your own but I am sure someone knows of someone who can help you to help those poor patients and keep them safe. Wouldent you like someone to try ?

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2010

I think that dthfytr had a great response. A certified letter may seem a bit dramatic, but it is proof that you take your license seriously and it shows that you practice and expect high standards of nursing care. I think that 2 weeks should be given AFTER you submit your letter. That way if anything untoward happens in the two weeks that follow, you already have proof in writing that you deemed this facility as an unsafe environment. Submitting your letter and giving the requisite two weeks show that you are the professional that you say you are. If I were in your shoes and had serious concerns about the facility I was working in, I would even go further and report this facility to my BON.

I would not worry about listing this facility on your resume. When you get an interview somewhere else, they will of course ask you about your last employer. Don't hide it. Remember that YOU did nothing wrong. It is not a black mark against YOU. When they ask why you left, stick to the facts.

I was in a similar situation. I worked in an unsafe OR for a month before I left because the practices that I saw were horrendous. No supervision of new staff who were contaminating the sterile field and then trying to hide it so they wouldn't get yelled at, nurses sabatoging each other, dangling earrings falling into the sterile wound, local with epi injected mistakenly into extremities...the list goes on and on. This hospital was eventually sued because of a rather extreme mistake and every employee working that day had to give a deposition. When I landed an interview, the NM saw this hospital listed on my resume and asked me why I left. I told her facts only. I also told her that I feared that my license was in jeopardy, and I felt compelled to leave. She nodded her head and said, "Wise choice." I was hired that day by her.

Nurse managers talk. They understand that there are bad facilities out there. Don't take this as any fault of your own. Be honest about your reasons for leaving, but keep it brief.

Good luck to you. I am so sorry you are in this position.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2010

Steve, I know this may be the unpopular comment but can you contact your nursing body and speak to a practice adviser?. I think of the patients who are going to be left in this place after you have left. Sometimes people are so used to doing wrong they dont recognise it anymore and its only when an outsider comes in that change is made. I dont think you should do it on your own but I am sure someone knows of someone who can help you to help those poor patients and keep them safe. Wouldent you like someone to try ?

I don't think that your comment is in any way unpopular. I think it is a very wise comment, in fact. A formal letter to the Board of Nursing outlining the practices witnessed by the OP would be taken seriously and would be dealt with.