I want out of this mess

[nanae_snow]

I just found this website through google, so I just joined up.

I have a problem. The thing is, I am a new grad, and I've only been orienting for three days on the alzheimer's locked unit LTC. They want me to take over the PM shift next week already. I feel very very overwhelmed. I have lots of things I don't know, and I have zero confidence right now. Plus, 46 residents is just to much on my plate, and if I stay and accept the assignment I will be putting myself and the residents in grave danger. I will be alone on the PM shift with just a couple of CNAs. I can't even understand the paperworks and how to handle certain situations, and with no prior nursing experience, it puts me in a very difficult situation. When the DON was interviewing me, she said they would never give me the med cart and just say goodluck, but that's what happened on my third day. The nurse who was orienting me on the first two days was nice, but when I was given the schedule for the next two weeks, and I found out that I was working PMs, she pulled me aside and told me that I should think twice about accepting the assignment because PM shift is really tough. Yesterday I was supposed to go on orientation again, but I didnt call and didnt show up anymore. I just dont wanna go back there. I am scared, I cannot do what is expected of me and I refuse to accept the assignment because I may lose my license, or worse, have someone get killed.

But I am concerned now because I didnt call and I didnt show up yesterday, I don't plan on going back today, and it says on the handbook that we're supposed to give 30-dy notice, but I really want out now. Since I am still orienting, it's not working out, it's ok to quit right and just tell the manager that I'd rather the facility give the rest of my orientation time to someone who would be more willing to stay there?

sorry for the long post.

[Jolie, BSN]

I believe that your concerns of safety and inadequate orientation are justified.

But it is never OK to simply no-call, no-show. That is highly unprofessional, and likely to result in a "do not rehire" status.

Call your manager immediately and discuss your situation. Few employers hold orientees to working a 2 to 4 week notice, since they are considered non-productive and rarely count in staffing.

[caliotter3]

No call, no show is always grounds for immediate termination and termination from a job is always worse than resigning. You haven't started your nursing career in a very positive manner. I would type up a letter of resignation citing something to the effect of "due to unforseen circumstances, I am forced to resign effective immediately" with a date stating the day you didn't show and either hand deliver or send certified mail. You should also call and inform them since the letter won't reach them before your next shift. Try to salvage this to a job quit to avoid the firing. You can't explain getting fired from your first job very well. Good luck.

[mpccrn, BSN, RN]

you should act like a grown up professional...call, show up in person and discuss the situation with the manager.......they might have offered you more dayshift experience (after you demanded it). you don't know if this could have been salvaged because you just ran away and hid.

[suzy253, RN]

No call/no show is never the way to go.

It's disrespectful to your fellow employees as well.

[nanae_snow]

Well the thing is, upon hiring, they told me that I would have to work on dayshift because I'm new grad, then when they handed me the schedule they were already put me up for PMs. That's why the nurse I was with was already warning me from day one. I should have known better, I had red flags going up during the interview but I didnt listen to my gut instincts. Now I cant ignore it anymore.

I wrote my letter already and am planning to go talk to the adon and explain myself today. It's ok right? even when I didnt show up yesterday?

[nanae_snow]

This isnt how I imagined my nursing career would start...or end...

[llg, PhD, RN]

I wrote my letter already and am planning to go talk to the adon and explain myself today. It's ok right? even when I didnt show up yesterday?

That is the right thing to do. That is what you should have done in the first place, as soon as you knew the job was not for you.

Your employer made lot of mistakes and I don't think anyone here blames you for not wanting to work under those conditions. However, "2 wrongs don't make a right." You also made a serious mistake by simply not showing up for work without letting your employer know. There may be some repercussions from that mistake.

The best thing you can do now is to give them a proper resignation, explain yourself, and hope they simply let you go with no hassle.

It can be tough to start over, but that's what you need to do. Start looking for another job -- investigate your options thoroughly and be prepared to deal with this situation through your application process.

[Jules A, MSN]

This isnt how I imagined my nursing career would start...or end...

Well this surely doesn't have to be the end of your nursing career however as others have written while I totally understand all your concerns and that you were upset by being put on nights that does not excuse not discussing it with your supervisor and just stiffing them. I agree that at the very least a phone call and apology is needed and perhaps some soul searching before starting your next job. Growing up is about learning from our mistakes. Hang in there.

[nanae_snow]

Thanks all. I had no idea that nursing is like this, after you get out of school...

[RN1989]

You will find this type of situation repeated all over the country every day. You need to be very selective when you choose a job to be sure that you don't get in over your head and feel the need to keep quiting. This is real life, not nursing school.

[TopazLover, BSN, RN]

I agree with all the other posts, you made a huge mistake. You can't blow off a job like skipping a class. I also suspect you were not prepared to deal with the HUGE job of dealing with Alz., especially in a locked situation. That does not mean you don't need to grow up.:deadhorse

Look carefully next time and have written questions you want answered before taking another job. In many cases Med-Surg would give you much better experience in dealing with elders, if that is what you were looking for.

Take a deep breath and go on. Many jobs are like what you experienced. Some will not be if you have the right questions and are firm in your expectations of orientation. I think when your orientation time was compromised would have been a good time to get clarification. Use this experience in future endeavors.

Best of luck