How do I get my job back after resigning?

[PostpartumNurse'07]

Hi there,

I am in desperate need of some advice.

I am a new grad as of June '07, got hired 3 months ago on a very busy, large, maternal-child teaching hospital in Canada. I did my senior practicum on postpartum in a different province than I am in now and got hired directly onto postpartum at this big teaching hospital.

To make a long story short, a few weeks ago the nurse educators and the manager had a meeting with me about concerns re: my clinical skills with IV med administration. I didn't do anything unsafe or anything to compromise pt safety, but they observed that my psychomotor skills with this new pump that we got, plus doing some of the drawing up for some antibiotics were not up to par.

Basically the manager was really supportive and told me that she could set up some extra days with the educators in order for me to brush up on my IV med skills, but that "if the educators don't feel that you've improved, we'll need to talk about terminating your employment here".

Now that last sentence really freaked me out. This is my first real job as an adult and I didn't want to be 'fired' and have that be on my record. I was still on my probationary period as well.

In any case, a few days after the meeting, I talked with some of the educators and the program coordinator and came to the conclusion that me and this job wasn't a good fit because I have found it extremely stressful. I ended up sending in my resignation a few days later.

Now, after a few weeks of searching for a new job, I am regretting my resignation. I miss the patients and the staff...and the management is good too. I am also struggling to find another position in maternity, which is where I really want to be.

I think I made a big mistake... ....I really want my old job back. When I resigned, it was on good terms, and the educators and the program coordinator were very nice about it...they just said that I need to find what fits best for me.

How do I go about trying to get them to take me back? Do you think they will? The manager is on vacation until August 13th, so I will probably need to talk to the program coordinator first, early next week.

Please help! Would be grateful for any advice!

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

As someone who has been in a very similar position, I am gonna go out on a limb and say that it was more than the 'pump incident' that made them come to this conclusion. It was likely a combination of events that led them to this conclusion.

As others have said already, I do not believe that attempting to return to that unit would be a wise decision. How would you explain to them why you have decided to return. What have you done in the interim to improve on your weaknesses, to 'fit in better'. I can guarantee they will throw your own words right back at you, and will realise that you were not able to find another job that you find attractive.

And even if they did take you back, think of the scrutiny you would be under. Is it worth it, just to work in this specialty. if you are meant to be in Marernity, it will come, in due time. Maybe you need something a little less challenging to start off. Sure, they take new grads in the specialties, but not everyone is cut out for it right away. Go at your own pace, and you'll make it there when the time is right.

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

I'm on the same page as the rest of the posters here. You stated that you thought about it, felt you were not a good fit for the job and that it was too stressful for you. The issues are still there. I certainly wouldn't try to back-off the resignation. If you do, they may feel that you don't think decisions through and that you are flighty. Try something else in nursing maybe for awhile, if after time you still want to return, by all means re-apply then. You could then turn it around to your benefit; "I've worked in other nursing areas, such as XYZ. But I really enjoyed my time working here previously and feel I now have so much more experience and knowledge that I could use to benefit this position."

[RN 4 U]

Cut your losses and move forward, i agree i don't think they will take you back. Sometimes management tries to sugar coat the real problem by minimizing it to you, and then next thing you know you're fired when you didn't think there was a problem.

[PostpartumNurse'07]

Thanks you guys, for all the replies. I appreciate the advice.

I don't think I'll be calling my old manager about trying to get rehired. I thought long and hard about it, talked it over with a few people, and read these posts...and yeah, I don't think it is the right thing to do.

[fluffwad]

hi there,

"if the educators don't feel that you've improved, we'll need to talk about terminating your employment here".

in any case, a few days after the meeting, i talked with some of the educators and the program coordinator and came to the conclusion that me and this job wasn't a good fit because i have found it extremely stressful.

if that's a phrase that the nurse managers used i would just move on before things get ugly.