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.
I'm sorry this happened to you. Wish there had been someone there you felt you could trust and talk to. I think you'll find your niche, God bless, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Wow sorry about that happening. I'm not a nurse, but thinking about it very hard. I think the ER and ICU is one of the reasons I stayed away from nursing so long. I've been a CNA in home health forever.I know off bat that if I started out as a nurse it couldn't be in ER. Though I do love to care for people, I don't care for chaos and high stressful situations. I pretty much like to know whats going on and comming my way. good luck.
OH get off of my case. So I could have used a better choice of words. There are many different levels of mental stress. I never diagnosed her. I suggested what may and probably did happen to her. Mental breakdown (also known as a nervous breakdown) is a non-medical term used to describe an acute, time-limited phase of a specific disorder that presents primarily with features of depression or anxiety. Or maybe she just had good old fashion anxiety. Call it whatever you want. It sounds to me like this MAY POSSIBLY have happened on some undetermined level. Mental break down isn't black/white or like you say in your example .45Rifle/cupcakes. There are many different areas. SOMETHING caused this woman to walk out and it probably wasn't because she was a crappy nurse.(based on the fact she signed off). Last time I checked I was offering her advice, not any of you. If I'm completely off base,well, she simply does not have to take my advice. This was my first time posting here and I KNEW I would catch some slack from the buzzards. I don't really care, my focus is not on the other posters. I just wanted to suggest something to this poor lady. A lady left my job and didn't sign off and our charge nurse ( rest her soul ) went to her house and calmed her down. This was three years ago and she is one of the best nurses they have. THINGS HAPPEN. I am not diagnosing anything. I was suggesting something based on a possible assumption.
No I didn't read all of it. I just figured it was more of the same. I just felt like I was being virtually stoned. Mentally stressed does sound better than mental break down. No particular buzzards. I usually participate in forums where trolling is the norm, so forgive me for firing back with such a defensive attitude. I don't normally go off on people like that. It just hurt my feelings for some reason. Maybe I was afraid that I was being judged by people in a profession I look up to. Got my feelings hurt as soon as I stuck my foot in the water for the first time. heh. I'm over it.
A number of years ago I had a breakdown and quit my nursing studies for good in the middle of a clinical shift . I do suffer from clinical depression and all my stress just culminated during that particular shift and I broke...it was horrible. Walking out isn't something I'm proud of but I literally could not continue at that time. It happens...
Sorry doll, please don't ever use it. It is now a banned abbreviation. Years ago we used it liberally and legally. Many of the old abbreviations have been discontinued d/t med errors. Mag sulfate and Morphine Sulfate in this instance. I'll take my 20 lashes, but not the fine and promise to never write it again. Peace!
I definitely agree it wasn't the best option the OP may have had however it may have been safest for their patients. There are definitely times where you are so overwhelmed you feel unsafe and that you cannot go on. They knew their limit, told their manager, ensured their load was covered and left. Will it hurt the OP's future job opportunities? Most certainly. However, it may have been the safest option at the time.
I quit right before my shift, told the DON and charge. I was there a short time but was in fear of losing my license due to questionable working conditions. This place had multiple infractions with state, poor staffing. I had 20 plus patients under my care and was pulled away by administration from my unit multiple times even though I told them I have patients under my care left with no one other than a CNA, with meds to give and patients with other issues? Each time It was around an hour before I'd return; I wasn't about to risk my license anymore.
Whatever you decide to do - do not use the phrase Mental Breakdown in an interview or as a reason for leaving.
Nowadays that just puts a red flag up and a hiring manager or HR will assume that you are unstable mentally and might "break down" again or do something crazy - stigma is real and can destroy your career before it has started!
What you need to do is to find somebody who will give you a good reference. Obviously, your ex manager might not be the best choice - try to find a supervisor, educator etc. who is willing. If you have done good work and this is the only time that you did not follow the unspoken laws of employment as a nurse I would not worry too much but it is prob still best not to use that manager unless you are 100% you will get a good reference.
And - while a lot of HR recommend not to say anything else but to confirm the dates that a person worked out of fear to get sued - they often still call and ask questions. I have given references and some places send you an online survey nowadays but there are still people who call your cell phone and ask things like "would you work together with xyz again" and such.
Of course you can apply to MD offices - why not ? There are some that really like to take new nurses because they are cheaper...
). Remember when full paragraphs could be written without 5 full words in the whole thing ?!!!!
. I do suffer from clinical depression and all my stress just culminated during that particular shift and I broke...it was horrible. Walking out isn't something I'm proud of but I literally could not continue at that time. It happens...
nola1202
587 Posts
I'm sorry this happened to you. Wish there had been someone there you felt you could trust and talk to. I think you'll find your niche, God bless, you are in my thoughts and prayers.