Inefficient training at first job, considering quitting

Nurses General Nursing

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I got a job as a graduate nurse/RN at a nursing home recently here in California. I've been training in a very fast-paced busy hectic environment. I'm not learning a whole lot (atleast not enough to be completely on my own) because of the environment. My nurse (LVN training me) has been very patient and as helpful as she can be while still taking care of 17+ patients at a time. She said she wishes she can go more in depth with all the paperwork and things like that if she had the time. I asked to be moved to a slower unit of the nursing home. But I was told that there is only 1 nurse per unit of the nursing home for every shift (~20 patients per nurse). And if I were to move to another unit, I'd be completely alone and I'd have to be READY to be on my own.

This place is SEVERELY understaffed. There is no unit secretary to call doctors, fax papers, deal with jammed copiers, etc. No wound care nurse. Not enough nurses. You have so much to do. Nurses stay atleast an hour past their shift just to catch up on what they need to do. The nurses are constantly overwhelmed. One says that she thinks about quitting every other day. There's a nurse who doesn't even document correctly. She documents about a right arm PICC line when the patient actually has a left hand peripheral line... That is how crazy it is. And people get written up a lot... I wonder why. Maybe because they're overwhelmed and can't possibly do everything. And we only get 30 minutes lunch. The nurse training me doesn't even have time to eat... I don't have time to actually sit down with my patients and have a nice conversation with them. It's just like, "Hi. Here's your meds. Gotta go now bye."

I've only been given 5 days of orientation. How is anybody supposed to learn how to do their job in 5 days? Apparently they'd give me more time to orientate if I need it. But I need like 6 months (like new grads at hospitals get). I'm supposed to have a sit-down discussion with the DON and whoever else on Monday. I don't even know if I should show up. They won't even give me 1 week off to study for my NCLEX. They'll just give me 2 days off before my test to study. I need to pass it the first time to start my BSN program. They said the job is more important than the NCLEX...

This is my first job. So I don't have anything to compare it to. But I know this isn't how it's supposed to be. New grads should be trained well to do their job in a reasonable amount of time... especially when human lives are involved. I don't want to screw something up and lose my license before I even get to RECEIVE my license.

I want to just quit and concentrate on the little time I have to study for my NCLEX and then focus on getting my BSN. Apparently some hospitals won't even accept nursing home experience anyways. And I don't NEED a job right now. I don't have kids to support or an apartment to pay rent.

What do you think I should do?

Specializes in Developmental Disabilites,.

It's weird that they said the job is more important than the NCLEX. But I think it is odd that you asked for whole week off when you are a new hire. If you were not ready for the commitmentment I don't think you should have taken the job.

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It actually sounds like you are in a pretty decent facility (at least staffing wise). 17 residents for 1 nurse in LTC or SNF is better than average staffing. Not sure what average orientation is but in my bldg it is usually about 6 shifts (2 weeks - we do 12 hours)

So, I guess my advice would be if you have a job lined up in a different environment(not LTC/SNF) or if you don't need the money go ahead and quit. I would not quit to go to another LTC/SNF because it more than likely will be worse than where you are.

Good Luck to u!!!

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Specializes in Emergency.

First let me congratulate you on taking a job in a nursing home. I work in California and know just how difficult it is to get a new grad. position. That aside, all the new grads I have met seem to think they are too good to work in a nursing home, preferring to state how they plan to become nurse practitioners or nurse anesthetists - most prefer to work as a tech in ICU or ER rather than take a position in a nursing home. I dislike this attitude as patients are patients and need care, however basic this may be, additionally, there will always be work in care of the elderly.

However, a graduate nurse is not an RN, and never will be until the NCLEX is fulfilled. Good luck in your career, I am sure you will do extremely well whatever your choice.

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I don't know where you got the idea that new grads in hospitals get six months orientation from. Maybe an ICU nurse. On my very busy hectic PCU floor grad nurses get 10-12 weeks.

Being extremely busy and overwhelmed unfortunately is pretty much par for the course on many floors. Getting to sit down and chat with a patient is pretty much a luxury.

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Until we start standing up to places like this, they will never get it. I got canned after 7 weeks at LTC because I would not cut corners. Therefore, I did not fit in. Oh and got too much overtime. I loved the clients, hated management and hated the job. Pass your NCLEX and work towards your BSN. Now is a horrible time to look for a job anyways. Keep studying......hoping it will get better.

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I don't know where you got the idea that new grads in hospitals get six months orientation from. Maybe an ICU nurse. On my very busy hectic PCU floor grad nurses get 10-12 weeks.

Being extremely busy and overwhelmed unfortunately is pretty much par for the course on many floors. Getting to sit down and chat with a patient is pretty much a luxury.

Sadly, until we decide not to stand for this anymore, it will keep happening. Nurses make up the largest group in the medical profession. Just think of the things we could accomplish if we joing together. It will happen.

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Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the feedback. I thought so... I should follow my gut feeling and quit.

I don't think I'm gonna show up tomorrow. I'll call sometime and say I'm sick or something and then call them next week to quit. Because they will NOT give me the week to study. Working in this environment is too risky for a nurse... especially a new nurse.

And by the way, there are hospitals around here that give 4-6 months orientation. I have friends who work there. So that's where I get my info from.

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Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the feedback. I thought so... I should follow my gut feeling and quit.

I don't think I'm gonna show up tomorrow. I'll call sometime and say I'm sick or something and then call them next week to quit. Because they will NOT give me the week to study. Working in this environment is too risky for a nurse... especially a new nurse.

And by the way, there are hospitals around here that give 4-6 months orientation. I have friends who work there. So that's where I get my info from.

It sounds like you have made a decision. I however would think twice before calling in and then quitting. Most organizations require 2-3 weeks notice. If I were you I would do the right thing. Go to work tomorrow tell them you have come to a decision and will be giving them proper notice.

It will look much better on your resume. If you feel like it is more than you can handle I understand your decision but don't leave them in a lurch.

Do you mind saying what area of the country you work in? Because I would be interested to know where they give GNs 4-6 months orientation.

Best of luck to you.

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It will look much better on your resume. If you feel like it is more than you can handle I understand your decision but don't leave them in a lurch. Best of luck to you.

I'm not even adding it to my resume. There's no point.

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I still would recommend giving proper notice before you quit.

You never know who is friends with who.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

My only piece of advice is to remember that nursing is a small world and you never know who your next employer may know...people talk. I know a few people who walked off a job (similar to what you want to do), left it off their resume only to have it bite them back later on when their prospective employer knows the former employer/coworkers/charge nurse. Just because you leave it off your resume doesn't mean prospective employers won't find out about it.

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Then I'll call them tomorrow and tell them I quit.. that'd I'd rather concentrate on passing my NCLEX and continuing my education.

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