How many chances do you give a job before you quit?

Nurses General Nursing

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In a post I mentioned my three strikes countdown. I give a job three chances and after the third I am usually gone. It not for petty things, but  huge things. For example, a first strike at a nursing home years back was when I worked night shift on a unit with and with one nurse, the unit had more that 15 patients for sure.  The second was when the one person who made the food did not show up. So the DON had to make sandwiches. I think the third was when my wallet was stolen from my purse (maybe that was the second)? Anyway, what is your limit?

Specializes in ER.

Theft of a wallet could happen anywhere if you don't lock it up. If they didn't give you a locker, that's another matter. If the DON isn't above making sandwiches,  that's actually a plus. Poor staffing on a consistent basis and I'm out the door 

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Specializes in NICU/Mother-Baby/Peds/Mgmt.
On 3/11/2021 at 9:33 AM, Davey Do said:

After17 years at Wrongway Regional Medical Center, and being terminated about a year ago, I applied for and got a position at Corrigible Nursing Home. I was seriously considering retirement, but thought I'd work part time.

The first shift, I counted seven red flags and told myself, "I am not going to have to fight and struggle all over again in order to merely do my job".

This cartoon depicts me dealing with the first few red flags, but when the number got to seven, I was out of there.

I'm interested in knowing what the red flags were....

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54 minutes ago, Emergent said:

Theft of a wallet could happen anywhere if you don't lock it up. If they didn't give you a locker, that's another matter. If the DON isn't above making sandwiches,  that's actually a plus. Poor staffing on a consistent basis and I'm out the door 

Locker, not sure that was yrs ago. Sandwiches, that too was a lack of poor staffing. Why is a nursing home depending on one person? Obviously they didn't even have an assistant cook. Some seniors can't eat a sandwich.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
39 minutes ago, Nunya said:

I'm interested in knowing what the red flags were....

Thank you for asking, Nunya. I'll do my best to recall...

 Starting date set, then I was requested to start one week earlier.

 No code was given in order for me to enter the building.

PPE was no provided and that which was cheap and insufficient. It's a good thing I brought my own mask and nitrile gloves because the cheap vinyl gloves tore when I attempted to put them on.

Name badge not provided as promised.

Shift RN not informed of her need to orient me.

Less staff scheduled than promised.

Some staff did not wear masks.

Was scheduled as sole RN after only two shifts. When hired, I was told that I would not be the sole RN until I felt comfortable in doing so.

I attempted to contact the administrator about my concerns and after several attempts over several hours on a weekend, could get only a busy signal.

There were other concerns that I had, like patients' status and care procedures, the way in which meds were dropped off at the facility, and a broken fax machine, that I fixed.

I had fulfilled my duties in getting the facility a copy of my RN license, birth certificate, BLS & CPI card, etc. in a timely manner. In other words, I had fulfilled my end of the verbal contract and they did not, so I cited a breach of contract as my reason for not returning to work thereafter.

I worked an entire eight hour shift, yet had to telephone the facility after a month to remind them to pay me.

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3 minutes ago, Davey Do said:

Was scheduled as sole RN after only two shifts. When hired, I was told that I would not be the sole RN until I felt comfortable in doing so.

One of my three strikes. The RN I had was elderly and had health issue. Poor thing, obviously I didn't ask her to help with patient care.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
8 hours ago, Davey Do said:

 I applied for and got a position at Corrigible Nursing Home

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7 hours ago, DesiDani said:

On a rare occasion you bump into the one who left after the first offense. They will give a pity "You still work there?!?!?"

Yeah, I may have a three strike rule, but I would not ask why a person stays or strays. Might think it in my head, but I'm not going to make them feel dumb for not leaving. Some people have different tolerance levels.

Sometimes people plan to leave or have a plan before quitting. And have to work at a certain job until it's possible. Having a job is better than no job in certain instances. 

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Three strikes is my usual rule of thumb also!

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I love my job and hate when people leave. The grass is not always greener. I truly think that mew nurses are not prepared as to what nursing really is all about. nursing school is its own special hell, but nothing like working. 

I think I have a great organization and I am loyal. They have been really good to us during Covid and I appreciate that. We just got an email that we are getting a raise and they have already implemented a system to pain the Covid RNs (and NCAs) more. 

I think we have had the pendulum swing too far for orientation. I got a really long orientation and now it is too skimpy. It's frustrating and overwhelming to new nurses to be thrown into the pool and expected to know how to swim like Michael Phelps. I do what I can to help them be comfortable asking questions. ❤️ 

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On 3/11/2021 at 9:17 AM, Davey Do said:

Was scheduled as sole RN after only two shifts. When hired, I was told that I would not be the sole RN until I felt comfortable in doing so.

One of my three strikes. The RN I had was elderly and had health issue. Poor thing, obviously I didn't ask her to help with patient care.

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Seen people quit when they sensed that mgt was looking for anything to fire them over. Can't say they were paranoid or not, but you're more prone to big mistakes with that on your mind for 12hrs. 

Seen it to the point of harassment. Guess that's what the hospital/nursing home wants in the end. Shadow you so much you loose faith in your abilities and you just quit.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I think it depends on the job. LTC: you can only do it for about 2 years before you burn out. Because of the staffing ratios, lack of equipment, crazy families, and the unreliability and sketchiness of the non nursing staff. For me, I normally give chance after chance. Unless someone steals my wallet! If the management doesn’t seem concerned about grievances or issues, that’s your signal to run. Sad to say, but LTC have a reputation for a reason. 

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