I quit in the middle of my shift....

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Aug 5, 2011

As a new grad (RN) the stress in the ER was toooo much to handle... (after 5 months) I quit 2 hrs after starting my shift. I notified my manager, they reassigned a nurse to my patients....I gave report to a RN, signed off my charts to the new RN taking over my pts. My manager downstaffed me for the rest of the shift. I wrote my letter of resignation and punched out.
Is that considered abandonment?
Will I be able to get a job in a dr.s office
Thank you for your advice and help!

You notified your manager and they reassigned your patients- I don't see how that could be abandonment, but using them for a reference may be a major problem.... I'm sorry it got to be so much.

caliotter3 · Aug 5, 2011

Agree with what was previously said. No abandonment here, but don't expect a good or even neutral reference. Your timing left something to be desired, even though your need to leave immediately can be understood. By not giving a decent notice of your intent, you left yourself open to negative future reports from this employer. Think this over and be prepared to tell prospective employers how you will not repeat it.

SNIXRN · Aug 5, 2011

No, it was not abandonment because you transferred responsibility when you gave report to another RN. Just out of curiosity, was it something specific that triggered you to quit? Or had this been building up because of the stress?

bunchies · Aug 5, 2011

I have walked out of a job before half way through a shift. It wasn't a job in the health field but I know how bad it feels. I can imagine how awful you must feel after you had time to cool off. Yes, you should have stuck out the shift and put your notice in but you can't beat yourself up over that. You WILL find another job. People have mental breakdowns and they snap. We are human just like our patients. I think you should go in and speak with the nurse manager and let her know that is just what happened. Ask her for a chance to work out your remaining weeks and maybe just say that you left your shift (sick) instead. If you just did this I doubt she put the papers thru yet. It is worth a try. If you at least act sorry they may have better things to say about you in the future. Good luck. This is tough situation.

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2011

If you reported off to another RN, it's not abandonment.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Aug 5, 2011

i have walked out of a job before half way through a shift. it wasn't a job in the health field but i know how bad it feels. i can imagine how awful you must feel after you had time to cool off. yes, you should have stuck out the shift and put your notice in but you can't beat yourself up over that. you will find another job. people have mental breakdowns and they snap. we are human just like our patients. i think you should go in and speak with the nurse manager and let her know that is just what happened. ask her for a chance to work out your remaining weeks and maybe just say that you left your shift (sick) instead. if you just did this i doubt she put the papers thru yet. it is worth a try. if you at least act sorry they may have better things to say about you in the future. good luck. this is tough situation.

really??? mental breakdown??

you're "diagnosing" this based on leaving- but making sure patients were covered?

if she had gone in with a .45 and blown away the ed, that is a mental breakdown- :eek: that is 'just what happened' ??? you know this??? :) :uhoh3: it sounds like you're trying to be helpful, but telling someone to claim a mental breakdown is more likely to get her shipped off to the eap, and who knows what .... the bon can demand participation in a peer program for mental disorders also- wanna get hung up in that??? i wouldn't jmho, but kinda felt like a bit of overkill :)

caliotter3 · Aug 5, 2011

Mental breakdown is definitely not the phrase one wants to use when describing leaving a job.

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2011

I'm not going to comment on what you did.

But as a RN, I always, ALWAYS tell my staff: come and interrupt me - even on a break or if I look busy - and tell me if there are any problems. I always leave an open door for staff to use if they get flustered.

Can I ask why you didn't grab your NUM/NM and tell them that you couldn't handle the ER that night? Or you could have scheduled a later meeting after going home that shift, to discuss how you were feeling. You are never alone and I'm sure your NUM would have helped you out. Don't ever just struggle on your own, tell your RN/NUM and GET HELP. If you can't cope, you can't cope but just let someone know next time.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 5, 2011

Technically, I don't think it's abandonment since you did hand over care to another nurse before you left. However your BON is the best person to answer that question--perhaps send them an anonymous e-mail to ask them?

As far as whether you'll get another job...to be honest, what you did wasn't exactly professional. Don't count on a reference from this place--in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if you were a "Do Not Rehire." Also, you will have to do a lot to convince any future employers that you won't do this to them as well, because what you did is going to be a big red flag to them--they're not going to trust that you can handle things when they get tough.

Best of luck.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Aug 5, 2011

I can see how ER would be a huge challenge for a new grad.

Just pick up, dust off, and try for other stuff. Just explain you were completely overwhelmed and home for an understanding interviewer.

I believe the correct term would be "meltdown" versus "breakdown". :smokin:

cecilsgirl · Aug 5, 2011

you can quit a job half way through a shift, you let them know, last time I looked this is still a free country, why is it nurses ( some) think it is such a sin to just leave-???