How many don't make it through?

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Curious to hear from you RNs who have been working a few years. How often do you see new grads not make it through orientation, or much past the first months off orientation? You know, the ones that are nicely given the high sign to look elsewhere. Maybe some of you even have a ratio?

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Specializes in ED, CTSurg, IVTeam, Oncology.

Generally, in my 25 years or so on this job, I've seen roughly 10% (my personal guess-timate) of new hires leaving soon after starting . This includes new grads and those with experience. Often the new grad fails to acclimate, while the older, experienced but new to the facility RN, somehow doesn't seem to find a good fit with the working environ. Sometimes the experienced RN doesn't like the way that we do things and leave. :down:

That said, there's a job out there for everyone. I remember one such classmate who had his probationary period extended twice, and was told that he would likely be fired as he didn't fit well with the regular Emergency Department; he transferred as a last ditch to psych Emergency, and you know what? He just blossomed over there and ultimately became one of their best people. :yeah:

Just a matter of finding the job that's right for you. :up:

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I remember one such classmate who had his probationary period extended twice, and was told that he would likely be fired as he didn't fit well with the regular Emergency Department; he transferred as a last ditch to psych Emergency, and you know what? He just blossomed over there and ultimately became one of their best people. :yeah:

Just a matter of finding the job that's right for you. :up:

That was inspirational...... I cannot wait to find the right job for me.

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Specializes in medical.

When I oriented in ICU as a new grad, the nurse manager said that about only 50% of new grad RNS stay past the orientation. I left a week before the orientation, hated the orientation and the stress of ICU environment. I transferred to med-surg and this was a much better fit for me. I was very distraught for a while, but now, when I look back, it all worked out well for me.

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I heard that most RN grads have to do some sort of Med Surg before they can go into Peds or Lab-Del. Is it really like that? I just loved my Peds rotation but I just have a hard time putting my heart into MEd Surg.

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Specializes in Peri-op/Sub-Acute ANP.

It's funny that you should ask this question because I was just (literally just) reading in the latest edition of OR Nurses that, "Nurse turnover rates can range from 55% to 61%. Of recently employed graduate nurses, 35% to 69% vacate their positions within the first year".

Don't know what the rate is for other specialties, but this sounds a little high to me - even for the OR which is notorious for burning up new people.

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I knew of a student who received her BSN and never bothered with formal nursing. I don't even know if she got a nursing license. I doubt that she did because as soon as she graduated from nursing school she went to a training program for missionaries and found a husband there then they went to somewhere in the Pacific Ocean area and have been there ever since. Have met a few people who didn't make it through their probationary period on a new job but they were seasoned nurses and not new grads.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.

I have been a nurse for 1.5 years and have had 4 jobs. Still holding my very first one, a charge nurse in pedi psych per diem in which I am very active. Second one I only made it 8 months, 4-5 full-time and then dropped down to per diem before quitting altogether because I moved and my commute because almost 3 hours each way because of construction. I just couldnt justify it anymore even though I loved the work. Next up a crazy busy surgical floor with 10-14 admissions on a normal surgical day. That was hell on earth and I lasted 118/120 days of my probationary period. My nurse manager ate me alive. I just started my dream job at a post ICU pediatric rehab hospital and I absolutely love it so far. Keeping my fingers crossed I finally found a home. I already have a mailbox, a badge, and a parking sticker so its looking good!!

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Specializes in Addictions, Acute Psychiatry.

If I don't like a job, I dump it early enough so it won't be resume worthy. I'm not a job dumper but there have been a couple that needed the extra turnover. Interviewing is key but not always revealing...I can think of some who thought their places were chaotic and turned out to be gems then others that thought the opposite. Life is too short to settle for a job and not a career like job (since nursing is really just a job unless you've got real opportunity for advancement most don't) blah blah blah :o) Happy new years!

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