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

Specialties Emergency

Published

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 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-???

I've never quit ANY job, nursing or not, midway into a shift. It's just plain bad form, no matter what job it is. Common courtesy is to give at least two weeks' notice. This gives your employer some time to find a replacement so they're not in a bind.

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"Is that considered abandonment?"

YES, on multple levels.

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"Is that considered abandonment?"

"YES, on multple levels"

You are so wrong.... if you have ever been in a position where you feel you are in over your head ... she went to her charge, patien'ts were reassigned and report was given to another nurse so no, she didn't abandon her patient's...

The only thing I think she should have done and may have just didn't mention it here. Did she keep her boss/charge informed of how it was going for her? That would have been the thing to do, after all she is a new nurse and it is hard out there... get a life..

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.
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-???

Because sometimes you just gotta suck it UP!

How would you like it if somebody walked out mid shift? I know I would be a tad miffed on having to pick up slack. It's also an opportunity for error when a nurse suddenly has to pick up mid shift more patients she is not familiar with, just because a nurse can't handle it. It's just wrong all around.

I would check with your BON in your state. At the very least, you can't use them as a reference if you keep your license.

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Specializes in ms, neuro, critical care, rehab.

This is why I have always recommended a new grad start on a medical or surgical floor rather than ER or critical care.

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"Is that considered abandonment?"

YES, on multple levels.

She walked away from her job, on one level you could say she abandoned it. But she did let them know she was leaving. Had she just disappeared out the door with no one seeing her go, then she would have abandoned her patients and she would have abandoned her job. But she did not do that.

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.

As far as a reference from this place goes, I think they are only allowed, by law, to say, "yes, she was employed here from xx-xx-xxxx to yy-yy-yyyy." Nothing else. That being said, people in health care know a lot of other people in health care and someone you worked with will know someone from another facility.

I believe you covered your patients before you "quit."

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"That would have been the thing to do, after all she is a new nurse and it is hard out there... get a life.. "

You get a life! A new nurse and its hard out there? Whatever that means??? Unless thats what they are teaching these days.. When the going gets rough and you get flustered--RUN.

I was talking about abandoning pride, self-esteem, reputation, career, etc! I didnt say anything about the patients. If that crap was pulled over here she'd have to move and change names.

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That being said, people in health care k

now a lot of other people in health care and someone you worked with will know someone from another facility.

this...so, so true.

i've known a couple of nurses who abruptly quit, and both were blackballed within a 20 mile perimeter.

don's know other don's, and they have this extended circle where they discuss nurses, give a heads up/fyi.

this happens, and it happens a lot.

along with what tnt said about references, i also believe they (employer) can include if they would rehire them again.

op, i'm just reiterating that you didn't abandon your pts.

and it appears your mgr handled it professionally.

i understand being overwhelmed (if that's what you were feeling.)

but it was in poor form.

there will be no 2nd chances, w/o it damaging your career.

be well.

leslie

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Specializes in LTC, Acute care.
This is why I have always recommended a new grad start on a medical or surgical floor rather than ER or critical care.

I don't think such generalizations are fair. Anybody can quit midway into a shift no matter what floor they started on, if they suddenly became overwhelmed and felt no one had their backs. New grads have been known to start on the floors you mentioned and excelled too. Just saying...

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This attitude is what is so wrong in nursing.... how about a little support for this person. I agree, I don't think the ER is the best place for the majority of new grads out there. If she had some kind of training and had worked in that area before nursing it might be different but as a new grad I don't think that is the place to start.

So, you think she should just suck it up.... get a life... what a poor response to her. Maybe suck it up is she had a shift that was difficult or a difficult doc ..

Yes, get a life..

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She asked & I answered.. This has nothing to do with New Grads working ER and more do with Professionalism and Respect. Although 5months is not exactly new either, she couldve called out or at least "no call no showed."

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