How to explain that I resigned after 2 mos?

healer27 · Sep 19, 2006

hi wfperseus - well, I'm right there with you. I'm currently in a new grad program where we alternate floors every couple weeks. My first couple weeks I was on a telemetry floor with a good nurse but bad, bad bad preceptor. Never available hard to track down during a crisis, who also told me on my 3rd day on the floor I was slooww. (???!?? 3rd day on the floor?) In any case I started on a new floor today with a different preceptor and it's like the sky opened up SOOOO much better. Point is it's not you -- alot of my friends who are new grads are all going through this where you hit at least one person who thinks you should be able to fly out of nursing school and magically "just know everything" that would be AWESOME if we could do that but at least for me that's not the way it's happening. What kept me hanging on during my first round with a preceptor I didn't click with was a) nice people on this board encouraging me to go on b) faith and lots of prayer c) the fact that I worked so damn hard in nursing school and ot pass my boards I didn't want to give up. As far as starting someplace new, do you live far from where your current job is? If so you could say you wanted a position closer...??? Good Luck to you...

traumahawk99 · Sep 19, 2006

heh. just try again. medicine is one of those things where you've got to fake it till you make it.

nurses are well known for acting like asses to those who are new in the profession. everyone seems to carry around a highlighter with an eraser on it... the eraser for hiding their own mistakes, and the highlighter for emphasizing everyone elses. this profession attracts a lot of weird personalities, and the hypocrisy is pretty thick. i found the same thing with being a paramedic.

it comes with the territory. go out, apply, find your level, don't give up. in the long run, i think you're going to agree that working the floor is miserable. it's a grind, and everyone wants to get off the floor and into another position. so people take out frustration on each other.

i myself am changing jobs after about 3 months. i sure learned a lot where i was working, and i'm taking that with me. unfortunately, i'm seriously dating a girl i work with, and it's just too much distraction for both of us. so i gave notice, and i'm looking... there are a zillion jobs in health care, and the next place i go, i've already got a girlfriend. :).

so from this job i got a lot of great experience and a beautiful girl who loves me immensly. what more could anyone ask?

Trauma Columnist · Sep 19, 2006

As to mentioning the 2month job, I would just say that it wasn't a good fit and that you learned from the experience and are now ready to tackle this xyz unit!

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Sep 19, 2006

I don't think your actions are all that unusual, nor is the scenario you describe. As the previous poster stated, just tell the truth. It wasn't a good fit. I think two months is enough to get a feel for the place.

At two months, I was ready to throw in the towel and too often found myself upset to the point of not being able to think straight. Somehow I muddled through but only because leaving would have left me in debt for a tuition assistance sign-on bonus. It got better for me but it's still hard. I remind myself that I'm still a new nurse even if some others have unrealistic expectations of my capabilities.

This is a tough profession. It will be a while before you feel comfortable anywhere. It's a feeling you have to get used to for a while, and learn to function in spite of it. I see you are on a critical care unit. The learning curve is certainly higher on a unit where patients can do a fast slide and the bedside nurse has to become adept in a hurry at assessment, bedside procedures, potentially dangerous meds, etc. It's a tougher place to be a new nurse for sure and there is no shame in backing down to a lower acuity environment for learning.

Trauma Columnist · Sep 19, 2006

It sometimes takes a while (and a couple of jobs) to figure out where your niche is in nursing school. Nothing wrong with that especially since nursing manager is giving a great reference.

Good luck in finding where you belong. I worked in med-surg (6 months), ICU (1 year) and then found the ER (10 years) - absolutely loved it!

gitterbug · Sep 19, 2006

The truth shall be a shield and a banner for you. Do be ashamed or anxious. Your leaving a situation that was wrong for you and for the facility averted problems for all involved. As for a glowing reference, I have never met the administrator who willingly accepted blame for being short-sighted. You would have probably done very well on a med/surg floor, but the critical units are always in need, and the need causes a push for new and willing employees to be put into situations they are not ready for.

Give some real thought to where and what you want to attempt next, then go for it.

I wish you good luck.

amy0123, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2006

wfperseus - I just had that happen today. Everything that you just described just happened today... Where have you decided to work now? A different ICU? I have two weeks to decide.

wfperseus · Oct 17, 2006

Hi -- I decided to search for med/surg positions in area hospitals and found a new positions/new hospital w/in about 2 wks. All recruiters were very understanding that my "new-grad-in-the-ICU" situation didn't work out, esp. after I explained the poor orientation that I recd.

Good luck!

supernova004 · Oct 17, 2006

Just want to say you are not the only one. I stepped down from critical care after three months and your original post describes to a T, exacty how I felt. My critical manager was supportive and arranged for me to speak a mgr in medicine in the same hospital. The mgr in medicine never grilled me and seemed thrilled that I would fill one of her positions in the unit.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2006

...At two months, I was ready to throw in the towel and too often found myself upset to the point of not being able to think straight. Somehow I muddled through but only because leaving would have left me in debt for a tuition assistance sign-on bonus. It got better for me but it's still hard. I remind myself that I'm still a new nurse even if some others have unrealistic expectations of my capabilities...

As a post-script, I have to throw my hat in the looking-for-new-position ring too. I'm a bit upset that I didn't get out earlier. I feel like I've aged 10 years in one.

corvette1973 · Oct 18, 2006

Hiring a new grad to ICU is just asking for problems! If you haven't worked as an LPN, then you aren't even going to know your basic working knowledge of meds. Having a bad preceptor isn't helping much either. Well, cut bait & find a place that you fit good & that wants to help. There's plenty of places in nursing to find your place! Hang in there!