I gave two weeks,,,but I dont want to finish

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I gave two weeks notice at my job a week ago. I have 4 shifts left. I work in a LTC facility. I'm a new grad and I've been there for 3 months. It is overwhelming. We just switched to 12 hour shifts. I am responsible for 38 pts. I have no med tech and usually 3 cnas. I have 3 med passes to do on my shift. I am in a secure Alzheimers unit. So there are also lots of behaviors to deal with. It is too much. The last 2 shifts Ive had I've cried before walking into work bc I know itll be horrible. I've asked for help from management and the advice is "just breath". Other regular units in the building have the same ratio BUT they get a medtech who passes meds to half their pts. I am suppose to work tomorrow but I feel like I'm having an anxiety attack just thinking about going. I am considering calling and saying I cant finish, that its too overwhelming (which I've said multiple times). I have a new job already. I need advice.....what do I do. I feel scared. I feel like I am put in a position that makes it impossible to give proper patient care. Should I just be done now? Or finish my shifts?

Now that you gave the two weeks, try and complete them. I think that since you've been there a while now, it's best. If you had been there for 2 weeks, I'd say you wouldn't need to as long as you didn't quit right before your shift or midshift.

Just a little story: I left a bad job too. I gave and completed my two weeks. I found out though, that the following Monday of those two weeks, IT had dropped me from the EMR, etc. :) I had a full patient caseload!!! I couldn't chart. I called IT, and the guy laughed and said that usually NOBODY gives two weeks at that company, so he just took me off the EMR :) We both trashed the company and shared laughs at other people's expense. :) So, I got put back on, and completed. So go figure.

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I can deal with stress and not always getting along with co workers. I know nursing is difficult. Not everyday will be perfect. Ok almost no day will be perfect lol. But I need to be in a place where patients and employees matter. They keep us understaffed which is horrible for residents and employees.There are lots of other things they do regarding employees that is just horrible. Its been hell working there. The only reason I havent left earlier is bc the job market in my area is horrible. I had to wait for another job to become available.

And for the record they hire anyone! They hire nurses that they have fired. They have hired unlicensed support staff (which they wud of known had they checked) and these people have made it to working on the floor before it was found out. This place has a horrible reputation but I was willin to give it a try bc of the job market. It totally deserves the rep it has. I can honestly say I'd rather work at mcdonalds then EVER work there again.

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You give valid observations of the place, but those observations can be made for many places. You say that the job market in your area is horrible. All the more reason to be careful about the impression you make when you leave.

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Don't go in. I've been in those situations before and it's not worth it. Enjoy the week off and get prepared for your new job.

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.
I honestly dunno if I can finish. I'm completely broken down. And the next shifts would be hell because so much family will be in visiting, demanding my immediate attention, and lots of docotors will be in seeing patients. I'm not so worried about burning bridges bc everyone but the DON like me. The DON only likes the employees who do overtime. I was already planning on not using the place as a reference. It has the worst reputation for nursing homes in our town. We lose about 1-2 nurses a month and 3-4 cnas a month bc no one can handle it. I am scared for mu license.

It's an integrity thing. It's not about them, it's about you. Yes, your employers are bums. They're trying to kill you:). How you react to that says everything about you, not them.

I can read your exhaustion in your post. I think you may have already made your decision whether to finish or quit early. I don't know what you can bear and what you can't. I only know if it were me I would hope to have the strengh and character to finish the promise I made when I was hired to do the job.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Travel.

You have to finish, or they'll give you a bad reference. It's as simple as that.

Viv

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I can assure you the harm you do to yourself by not fulfilling the notice will have far more serious repercussions over time than the employer missing your bright and shiny face for four shifts. And this comment is not made in jest.

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Specializes in ER.
It's an integrity thing. It's not about them, it's about you. Yes, your employers are bums. They're trying to kill you:). How you react to that says everything about you, not them.

I can read your exhaustion in your post. I think you may have already made your decision whether to finish or quit early. I don't know what you can bear and what you can't. I only know if it were me I would hope to have the strengh and character to finish the promise I made when I was hired to do the job.

Good luck.

EXTREMELY well said. Yes, it is about integrity. That is something that cannot be taken from you. You own it! No matter what happens in life, you have to look at yourself in the mirror every day and make an accounting for your actions. Too many people don't think that is important. I think it is essential.

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I've worked in places like that. Go and finsh it out. It is only one shift. Keep thinking to yourself...I am done after this!!!

LTC is such a small community...word does get around. Even if it is a bad place and people come and go..leave on a good note.

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As someone who has been there - and didn't finish the shifts - I say - finish the shifts. I promise that you'll feel better about that.

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Specializes in Med Surg, some Tele.

Do the best you can, finish out the shifts you have left. Then RUN. It sounds like every time you go into work you are putting your license on the line. Dont burn the bridge as someone else posted by not finishing what you have started. Look at the positive side, now when you apply for future jobs you will know one thing to inquire about during your interview process...nurse to patient ratios.

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Specializes in ICU, Public Health.
As someone who has been there - and didn't finish the shifts - I say - finish the shifts. I promise that you'll feel better about that.

Yep, I have done that too. Wish I would have finished too.

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