I want to quit....

[RNTEX]

I knew what I was getting into.....a nurse residency program with a 2.5 yr contract at the busiest LD in the country. We average about 45 deliveries per day 95% of our patients are illegal immigrants who speak Spanish only. (I do not...but I am learning quickly). The penaltly for leaving the program before the contract is up...$10,000...that right 10K. Is this legal? I am so depressed about the situation...I come home crying from my 12hr...really 14hr shifts everyday. This was my "dream job". I am so disappointed from the stress mentally and physically. Yesterday...started my second day in surgery in a C/S....while still in surgery I am assigned two admissions. One for decels in triage, one with a seizure disorder, my third patient is 21 wks fetal demise. Delivers in the bathroom 5 minutes after taking my C/S to recovery. All four patients...Spanish only....I been an LD nurse for 3 months. Some of my precepors are like angels....some are like devils...management is okay so far...pay is good. Am I wrong to want to leave ASAP? Can they make me pay $10K.....I don't have it anyways....I have never quit at anything before. I am so sad. Did you know that the lady with the fetal demise was left only completely after her delivery in the bathroom...because I has 3 other patients....in the hallway by the way? Please help.

[FLOBRN]

I am sorry you are in this situation.As I read it you are only 3 months into your contract. You may be able to get out without paying the entire 10,000 but may also need to consult an employment attorney. As far as leaving L&D, you need to find a place that is less busy to learn in. I started learning in a place that does 200 deliveries a month and that was quite enough. Shoot, just to do a really good job with a IUFD can take most of the shift for ONE nurse. Between pictures, meds, footprints, memento's, required paperwork ect it is a lot.

I hope this works out for you and remember we are all cheering for you.

FLOBRN

[jenrninmi, MSN, RN]

Sorry, this place sounds like a nightmare of a place to work. I hope you can get out of there with your sanity - and your license. ((Hugs))

[taapple]

I could not help but respond. I am a new grad L&D nurse and it is stressful no doubt. My hospital does about 700 deliveries a month and I thought that was crazy- mostly spanish speaking as well. Really hectic everyday, all day!!! And it is so overwhelming when its all new on top of everything. The scenario you gave should be illegal!! And because it is your license, there is no way I would risk my career in an environment like that that is clearly understaffed. We are 1:1 at my hospital and at times we get 2 if they are early laborers. As far as your contract, I cant speak for the nursing situation in Texas but here in Arizona they are so desperate for nurses, most hospitals would offer incentives to help you pay that back to get you to work for them. I would not stick it out under any circumstance. There are too many opportunities in nursing to work in an environment that is clearly putting patients in danger!! Run girl RUN!!!! I am on contract myself for 3 years b/c they paid my school and I can assure you, as many of my classmates have done, they have opted out and got the bill paid. You are not stuck there! Good luck!! Hook em' horns!! Yep- I am stuck in AZ for a year but I'll be back in Texas soon enough!!!

[nurseynightnight]

I feel so bad for you!!! This does sound like a horrible job!!!

I agree with previous posters that a smaller hospital with fewer deliveries would be more conducive to learning. I feel ashamed to say at my hospital we only do about 70-80 deliveries per month. I haven't had all the experiences some of you "busier" girls have had (just had my first PP seizure at 5 years on the job) but I do feel very safe. I have had a chance to take my time and really learn L+D. I get to bond with my patient's and their families and follow them through usually from admission to discharge. We work as a team and no one is ever on their own. And I never feel like my license is "on the line" b/c I am too busy and not able to care for my patients.

Now I do not know the legalities of your contract. Usually if you are still in the orientation part of your job you or your employer can void the contract at anytime. I would look into getting out of the contract before your orientation time is up. Whatever money they have given you will probably need to be paid back but it is worth not going through that hell everyday!!!

Good luck!