I get panic attacks before I go to work

[SophimusPrime]

Hey everyone. I'm a dayshift CNA, and I've only been in the career for 9 months.

My issue? I have gone from being content/happy with my job to stressing about it hours beforehand to the point of having panic attacks. I wake up repeatedly throughout the night having major anxiety issues about having to go to work. What changed is that I went from evening to day shift, and it's much harder. I'm constantly put on the heaviest sections, and most of my people are two person assists which I can rarely get anyone to help me with. I'm constantly missing breaks, having to go to lunch late, and unable to complete my duties because the workload is too much for me. I've even hurt my arms and back having to one person change or transfer someone who needs to be two personed.

I've gone and talked to HR and even the administrator. We had an hour long meeting in which they swore things would change, but it's been weeks and nothing has happened. I know I'm not the first one who has complained, but the facility is intentionally "trying to do more with less, and everyone is just going to have to try and shoulder the burden" their words not mine.

So I have a few questions here. One is that on one page of the employment handbook it says that my facility is "at-will employment" so either of us can end my employment at any time for any reason. However, on the next page it says that everyone needs to give at least a two week notice (30 days if you're an RN). Which do I go by? I want so badly to just turn in my uniforms, and be done with this place because I hate feeling so sick and stressed out every day I go to work. Is it ok for me to just quit on the spot, and not work again? How badly might that affect my next job when my current employers are called for a reference? If I do truly have to give a two week notice, and tough it out, how can I lower my stress so I'm not desperate to call in every day?

Thanks so much for any advice. I really appreciate it.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

So I have a few questions here. One is that on one page of the employment handbook it says that my facility is "at-will employment" so either of us can end my employment at any time for any reason. However, on the next page it says that everyone needs to give at least a two week notice (30 days if you're an RN). Which do I go by? I want so badly to just turn in my uniforms, and be done with this place because I hate feeling so sick and stressed out every day I go to work. Is it ok for me to just quit on the spot, and not work again? How badly might that affect my next job when my current employers are called for a reference? If I do truly have to give a two week notice, and tough it out, how can I lower my stress so I'm not desperate to call in every day?

Thanks so much for any advice. I really appreciate it.

'At will employment' means that your employer may terminate your employment for any reason (not protected by discrimination category) or no reason. And you, too, do not have to give a reason for resignation. However (and it's a big however), that doesn't mean that you can't expect repercussions for turning on a dime and leaving.

A two-week notice for resignation is the generally accepted period of time for an employee to give prior to departure from a job such as yours. Can you give less, or none? Sure, but be certain you understand the fine print in your facility's policy manual: will they withhold vacation pay if you give less than two weeks' notice? Will you be placed in a Not Eligible for Rehire file? Better know the answers to these questions before making decisions.

There's alot of misinformation regarding what an employer can and cannot tell the former employee's prospective NEW employer (did that make sense? It's late). It is not unreasonable to expect that your leaving without any notice won't be passed along to an inquiring HR department elsewhere. Naive, actually.

Whether to take the consequences and run is up to you. I do wish you the best!

[stewartfamily2010]

Have you asked to be switched back to evenings?

[stewartfamily2010]

I actually have this issue where I'm at now as an insurance agent. I loathe this job but have made strides to becoming a CNA and make a career change. I actually have an interview later on today :)