I need to quit but feel like a heel.............

[fournee]

I am currently working full time in a HIV clinic and have been for 6 years. It's basically all the nursing I know/or used to since graduating. I wanted to make some extra money and get some experience in another field of nursing. So I figured I would get a part time job in LTC. I am in my 2nd week and I am not being properly oriented to the facility. I have been lefted alone to pass meds and figure things out for myself. I am comfortable with passing meds, even though it is taking me 7 hours to do, I still have to chart properly and I don't know how, it's hard to decifer doctors handwritting/or understand some of the doctors who have strong accents. When I asked my trainer about a written order I could not understand she said, "sometimes you have to piece it together" What??? Whenever a resident codes, all nurses are told to go to that floor to assist. In 1 week it happened twice and each time, I stood there like a bump on a log, because I did not know the protachol or where to get chash cart or who calls 911 or who gets the elevator for the EMT's. I was useless. I asked my trainer who said" Girl you'll get the the hang of it" she still did not tell me or show me the procedure. I went to the DON and told her my concerns about emergencies and what the trainer said, and she said' Oh yeah, within time you will know" WOW!!!!!!!!! When I was hired the ADON said in regards to my parttime status " I hope you don't let me waste my time, by hiring you and then you leave in 1 month because a lot of nurses think they want a part time job there but change their minds" I said "OH My, I wouldn't do that, I really want to work here and I am not a quitter" Well, I am so afraid that I need to eat my words because I don't think I am going to make it a month.

[DNS on the go]

LTC is a tough business. Nurses are expected to hit the ground running. Orientation is brief. LTC does not have the time or resources to train you. Additionally, as a new nurse to LTC you have to give your time. My advice is to forget shift and being willing to stay past your shift. This will give you an opportunity to learn and develop your skills and ability. If you want to run in and out, for-get-about-it. One reason LTC does not invest in the staff is the high turnover. If you want the job, invest the time and you will learn and develop the skills. You will learn from your co-workers and supervisors but you must give your time (and not expect compensation for this time). Good luck in what ever you decide to do.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

I am in my 2nd week and I am not being properly oriented to the facility. I have been left alone to pass meds and figure things out for myself. I am comfortable with passing meds, even though it is taking me 7 hours to do, I still have to chart properly and I don't know how, it's hard to decipher doctors handwritting or understand some of the doctors who have strong accents. When I asked my trainer about a written order I could not understand she said, "sometimes you have to piece it together" What???

Whenever a resident codes, all nurses are told to go to that floor to assist. In 1 week it happened twice and each time, I stood there like a bump on a log, because I did not know the protocol or where to get crash cart or who calls 911 or who gets the elevator for the EMT's. I was useless. I asked my trainer who said" Girl you'll get the the hang of it" she still did not tell me or show me the procedure. I went to the DON and told her my concerns about emergencies and what the trainer said, and she said' Oh yeah, within time you will know" WOW!!!!!!!!!

I was in your situation less than a year ago. After 2-1/2 days of observation, I was left alone with 17 patients and no help. I was drowning, and requests for help were met with stares of statements that "it's a hard unit, but you'll get it." I didn't want to quit without warning, but I didn't see any other option. There were openings in other units of shifts, but I wasn't allowed to transfer. After 6 weeks, I was suspended, then fired.

If I'd simply quit, I wouldn't have a black mark on my employment record. Get out while you can.

[BrookeeLou_RN]

Hit the road jack!! Now.. before they destroy your self esteem and career!

[Lovely_RN, MSN]

Don't fall for the guilt trip. The DON said the same thing to me when I started my first nursing job as an LPN in LTC. They only say that because they know the facility is crappy, has a high turnover rate, and it's more work for her to keep having to hire people.

The turnover at my first nursing job was so high that it wasn't uncommon for 10-15 nurses to be hired and after a few weeks maybe 1 or 2 would still remain.

If you didn't have a job I would tell you do suck it up until you could do better but you have a job! Leave, take your time and find something else in a half-way decent place if you can.

[marthyellen]

"Don't fall for the guilt trip. The DON said the same thing to me when I started my first nursing job as an LPN in LTC. They only say that because they know the facility is crappy, has a high turnover rate, and it's more work for her to keep having to hire people.

The turnover at my first nursing job was so high that it wasn't uncommon for 10-15 nurses to be hired and after a few weeks maybe 1 or 2 would still remain."

I totally agree.

When I started in my current position as DON, I was told by the SDC that nurses received 3 days orientation on the floor and one day in class for paperwork because the old DON said corporate said that was all they needed. The turnover rate was high.

Nurses deserve the orientation/training to feel competent. Training should be specific to the nurse. Nurses new to LTC need more orientation and more time to learn time management skills. Nurses who have been in LTC for a long time need less orientation. There is no cookie cutter orientation and any time you interview for a new position ask how much orientation and if there is a mentor program. Find out who on the floor is willing to teach and help you.

If nurses get the orientation and support they need the turn over rate will decrease. No one from corporate has ever said not to give more orientation and I have been there 5 years. Our overall turnover rate for the entire building now is 32%. The average in LTC is 75%.

My point is there are good facilities who believe in training.