I need To VENT!!!

Indy, LPN, LVN · Jan 8, 2009

Did your boss chain you to the desk? I'm sorry if I sound abrasive, trust me I don't mean to. But you are allowed to quit your job with adequate notice. I would give the two weeks notice, in writing. Make it cc: whoever in Human Resources and give them their copy first, then give your manager their copy. Vote with your feet! If you really don't think you will work there again, cite blatantly unsafe staffing as the reason. If you're still mad after you did all that, call up JCAHO about patient safety issues.

It only gets worse if you do nothing. I've been there.

RN1982 · Jan 8, 2009

Are there other hospitals in the area where you can apply for OR? If not, sign up for agency. You don't have to stay in this job and put up with all the BS.

You're boss sounds like my old boss. Poor press ganey scores, blame the nurses. Nevermind that we were short-staffed all the time.

jmb410s · Jan 8, 2009

Did your boss chain you to the desk? I'm sorry if I sound abrasive, trust me I don't mean to. But you are allowed to quit your job with adequate notice. I would give the two weeks notice, in writing. Make it cc: whoever in Human Resources and give them their copy first, then give your manager their copy. Vote with your feet! If you really don't think you will work there again, cite blatantly unsafe staffing as the reason. If you're still mad after you did all that, call up JCAHO about patient safety issues.
It only gets worse if you do nothing. I've been there.

I agree with you totally. As long as nurses put up with staffing and poor conditions like this, the hospitals will keep on getting away with it. Don't make excuses like it will leave my co-workers "short staffed" or just new nurses on the floor. Leave and tell HR exactly why. If those nurses you leave behind put up with it then it is on them to also stand up to the poor conditions.

Crap like what was mentioned is why I left Missouri and moved to California where the working conditions are a LOT better.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 8, 2009

Sounds dreadful. Good luck with everything.

interleukin · Jan 8, 2009

I screw both my floor with 2 very Young nurses... and OR... which is Also... SHORT staffed...

When will you understand that it's not your obligation to provide safe staffing!!

Management can smell your fear and they rely upon it to keep their superiors happy by keeping down costs and keeping you afraid of leaving because you'll feel yourself to have let down "the team."

Why is it management doesn't have to be a team player?

As long as the public remains unaware of the reduced quality of care, you can wait until the cows come home--management will not suddenly "see the light" and provide you more staff until it suits their purposes.

Stop winging your hands. Your young, healthy and with enough experience to get out and do far far better somewhere else.

Stop "venting" and start living boldly!!

pink85 · Jan 8, 2009

Just remember you owe that job nothing. They were fine before you came and they will be fine after you leave!

Halinja, BSN, RN · Jan 8, 2009

Dumb question perhaps, but how can she 'refuse to release you'? Will the OR not take you if you give your current unit 2 weeks notice that you're moving to a different department? Did you sign some kind of contract that requires you to stay unless you have a replacement? Loyalty is nice, but can be taken to extremes.

You can be diplomatic and still be firm. Tell your NM she has two weeks and then you are gone. You have a job waiting in OR. If she tries to sabotage that...then you have travel nursing, which is ALWAYS available. You have options. Document your notice. Hand her a written notice, with a cc to HR. Unless there's something else going on (contract?) you are not a slave, nor do you need permission to move on.

interleukin · Jan 8, 2009

Dumb question perhaps, but how can she 'refuse to release you'? Will the OR not take you if you give your current unit 2 weeks notice that you're moving to a different department? Did you sign some kind of contract that requires you to stay unless you have a replacement? Loyalty is nice, but can be taken to extremes.
You can be diplomatic and still be firm. Tell your NM she has two weeks and then you are gone. You have a job waiting in OR. If she tries to sabotage that...then you have travel nursing, which is ALWAYS available. You have options. Document your notice. Hand her a written notice, with a cc to HR. Unless there's something else going on (contract?) you are not a slave, nor do you need permission to move on.

Actually, they can block a transfer if they determine there is a "need."

But it is done to satisfy their "numbers. The nurse's sense of good care and fair play is at the bottom of the list.

kathygray · Jan 8, 2009

Listen hang in there...it's worth waiting for ....

litbitblack, ASN, RN · Jan 8, 2009

Its not worth your license to hang in there. I would talk to the or manager and see if she can do anything. Noone would ever leave if they quoted staffing as the reason. Protect your license. Tell them if they don't allow you to transfer then here is your 2 weeks notice and go travel

KyMaleNurse · Jan 8, 2009

Thanks Nurses for the Quick Responses... Glad you all Care!!

Yes, there is a hospital Wide Hold on transfers... Because of Need for staff...

And Yes, I have looked at surrounding Hospitals... I'm in the process of Setting up an interview at hospital Down the street... I would just feel better to Say I'm leaving When I actually have a job waiting on me...

And I would just pick up and Go... But when I decided to Stay with the OR... I signed another yr lease on my Apt... So... For me to Leave now would cost me a couple of Grand!!... Which I would Have it... But I would rather travel in a more specialized area such as ICU, OR, or ER... Which I lack experience in ALL three... Thus, the decision on OR!!...

But the Hospital I'm applying for... THe department I will work in is Cardiac... SO I figure Thats a good specialized area for support to GO PACU or ICU in the future!!...

What you all think?