should I quit my job?

KAYBDT6, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2009

stay until you find yourself a job.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2009

Should I just quit now and try my luck elsewhere? is it stupid to leave one of the best hospitals in Boston? plus, I've heard from other employees that this particular hospital is racist at times (i am a minority).

I think that you should try and stick it out, as I know that they are recruiting for experienced nurses (have been sent recruiting brochures recently)...I would like to think that they would open up to internal candidates.

As far as racist, that I can't say. I did work at a highly ranked hospital in Boston in a facility that makes substantial efforts toward celebrating diversity (support for same gender couples, etc.), that was positively the "whitest" unit that I had ever worked on. No hispanics, few African Americans, maybe a few asian staffers. While I saw no overt bias, the lack of some minorities was notable among staffers. As a traveler, I am used to much more diversity, especially in the world class teaching facility. I would be careful about using the "racist" phrase unless you actually see racist behavior.

I will say that Boston/Massachusetts came out of the nursing shortage much earlier than the rest of the Country, and is much harder to get a job in.

GGT1 · Oct 10, 2009

If you truly think there is racism going on, and you are a minority, why would you stay???? And want to be hired on as a RN there????

Secondly, let's say that the racism statement did not happen...why would you quit a job there just to look for another? It seems more logical to continue to work there (as jobs are at a premium these days) and continue your career search while working?

Good luck!

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 11, 2009

Start job hunting elsewhere as well as keep hunting internally, but do NOT quit yet. It may be a crappy job, but it's an income. And as you've seen already, the job market sucks: if you're having no luck landing a job as an internal candidate, who knows how much longer it will take to you to find a job elsewhere?

Good luck!

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Oct 11, 2009

I am confused, I have had LPN students who once they passed their LPN boards they had to quit. Also BWH has a diversity board I would contact them if you feel their are holding you back due to your ethnicity. What does your Nurse Manager say? Have you applied to the Newly Licensed Nurse Program ?

I would keep your employment at the BWH ( perhaps as Per Diem) to keep your foot in the door and look for a RN position elsewhere.

JenniferSews · Oct 11, 2009

I'd look for a job elsewhere. A friend of mine had the same thing happen. After working at a local hospital for several years as a tech in the ER (CNA with additional duties from what I understand) they were unable to hire her due to hiring freezes when she graduated. She waited a while but finally had to move on to another hospital. Good luck, hopefully your CNA experience will help.

ETA- I wouldn't quit, then you'd just be out of work entirely. At least you're employed now!

NewAggieGrad09 · Oct 12, 2009

So did you have that job before you finished nursing school and passed NCLEX? I was told that I would not be able to apply for a CNA position because I have my RN license.

caroline147 · Oct 14, 2009

So did you have that job before you finished nursing school and passed NCLEX? I was told that I would not be able to apply for a CNA position because I have my RN license.

yea i had this job before graduating. going for my license in a few weeks for the second time. i just don't see why i should stay in this position with no hope of getting hired on my floor. as for continuing as a CNA if i have my RN license, I am still not sure of the hospital policy. the nurse manager never got back to me on this subject and it's been months since i asked.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Oct 15, 2009

yea i had this job before graduating. going for my license in a few weeks for the second time. i just don't see why i should stay in this position with no hope of getting hired on my floor. as for continuing as a CNA if i have my RN license, I am still not sure of the hospital policy. the nurse manager never got back to me on this subject and it's been months since i asked.

Going for your license for the second time, does this mean you failed the NCLEX ? No hospital can hire you as a RN without passing the NCLEX. I suspect you will be asked to leave your CNA position once you pass the NCLEX.

Sunflowerinsc, ADN, RN · Oct 15, 2009

yea i had this job before graduating. going for my license in a few weeks for the second time. i just don't see why i should stay in this position with no hope of getting hired on my floor. as for continuing as a CNA if i have my RN license, I am still not sure of the hospital policy. the nurse manager never got back to me on this subject and it's been months since i asked.

I don't think this is a good time to quit any job where you get a pay check! But I am a little confused, You said "going for my license in a few weeks for the second time". Are you a RN now, and working as a CNA? In my state you can continue to work as a CNA even tho you have your LPN or RN license if there are no openings for that. As soon as you receive your license, you have to go to HR and apply for a RN position. If you continue to work as a CNA waiting for a opening, you have to be very careful and not go over the duties and scope of the CNA position.

The other thing I thought about, is you saying you are staying in a crappy job. I guess you mean the pay and hard work. But working as a CNA you obtain a lot of good experience for your RN career. You have hands on to care for your patient and learn so much. The CNA has the bedside hands on to care for the patient with caring and compassion. I am sorry to say that as a RN sometimes those traits get pushed to side with everything we have to do. I truly believe that a person who has worked as a CNA or tech has the benefit of taking care of the whole patient will always remember that those "small caring things " you do all the time ( cup of ice, clean bed,ect) will stay with you always.

And as a RN you will have to know and be able to do everything a CNA does and more. And many places do not employ CNA's.

I guess you can see I am "old school"and still think taking care of the patient including bedpan duty gives you the best base for every thing you need to do as a RN. I know, I hardly have time for bedpan duty but when I am called by a caring CNA that observes what is in the bedpan doesn't look right ,or the skin is red or broken, ect ,we are all ahead.

I know in many parts of the country it is hard to get a job as a new Grad, but if you don't have to stay where you are, come South. You are needed "down" here !

suanna · Oct 15, 2009

The hospital I worked for when I graduated had a policy of not hiring RNs from the support staff. Thier phylosophy was the RN would be unable to fairly supervise thier former peers!. A bunch of BS if you ask me, but you may want to check if there is a simular policy blocking your hiring. I'm assuming you have a good employment record, few absesces, and a good relationship with your current floor director. Without those- I don't see your current hospital making the effort to hire you. In either case you need to make an appointment with your human resources recruiter and get the facts. Without them I can't realy advise you. (like I know anything anyway).