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?

Good decision. I wouldn't worry about that coming back on you in the future, they sound like they are already overwhelmed there, have probably had more than a few nurses walk out, and I wouldn't be surprised if they forget about you a week after you're gone. Especially in LTC, the turnover is so high, no one can keep up with anything -- as you've seen.

I walked out of a job once, ran into some co-workers on other jobs, they all just said "you were so smart to get out of there."

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Good decision. I wouldn't worry about that coming back on you in the future, they sound like they are already overwhelmed there, have probably had more than a few nurses walk out, and I wouldn't be surprised if they forget about you a week after you're gone. Especially in LTC, the turnover is so high, no one can keep up with anything -- as you've seen.

I walked out of a job once, ran into some co-workers on other jobs, they all just said "you were so smart to get out of there."

Yeahhh, thanks for the comment. I don't know if I should call tomorrow and say I'm sick and have the whole week to study/think some more about this job... or call tomorrow and just say I quit.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

I got 6 months orientation. I work in an ICU, 17 pts? My unit doesn't have that many at one time. I'll have 1 pt, or at the most 2 (very rare).

There are other options...

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It's official. I quit. I called and the receptionist took my name and job title and will relay the information that I'm not coming in to work anymore. I also sent an email.

Thank you, everyone. I took each and every one of your advice to make a decision. I'm not ready to take care of 15-20 patients, especially with not having sufficient training. I don't want to risk peoples' lives. I feel this is the right thing to do.

I will now have time to concentrate on studying to receive my license and going back to school to get my bachelor's degree. They think that the job is more important than anything else... well, they probably wouldn't be flexible at all for me when I go back to school. And they will eventually write me up for something or fire me. Before they can do that, I'm quitting.

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I'm glad you are leaving unsafe practice. You have mishandled your resignation by not speaking directly to someone in your management as well as giving the 2 weeks notice - they probably would not have taken you up on it, and you would have had the chance to leave in a better way.

No employer will see it as their duty to work around your life plans. It is you responsibility to do your stuff on your own time. This includes getting your license and your BSN. Think these things through a bit more before you think about employment again.

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I'm glad you are leaving unsafe practice. You have mishandled your resignation by not speaking directly to someone in your management as well as giving the 2 weeks notice - they probably would not have taken you up on it, and you would have had the chance to leave in a better way.

No employer will see it as their duty to work around your life plans. It is you responsibility to do your stuff on your own time. This includes getting your license and your BSN. Think these things through a bit more before you think about employment again.

Maybe I shouldn't have accepted the job right away. But this happened for a reason. I was supposed to learn from this experience. They obviously don't care about my life plans. If an employer cares about their employees, they will keep them happy. People here have said that they quit right away. I atleast let them know I'm not coming tomorrow. I sent an email about my resignation and mentioned my reason for leaving in a respectful professional manner. I did not just let go completely without mentioning a word. I have thought things through... maybe spent a little too much time doing so instead of studying for my NCLEX. In the future, I will see if the employer is a good fit for ME before I am a good fit for THEM.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Unless it is a completely unbearable situation, it's always a good idea to give the proper notice. At my place, it's 4 weeks notice.

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Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.
Maybe I shouldn't have accepted the job right away. But this happened for a reason. I was supposed to learn from this experience. They obviously don't care about my life plans. If an employer cares about their employees, they will keep them happy. People here have said that they quit right away. I atleast let them know I'm not coming tomorrow. I sent an email about my resignation and mentioned my reason for leaving in a respectful professional manner. I did not just let go completely without mentioning a word. I have thought things through... maybe spent a little too much time doing so instead of studying for my NCLEX. In the future, I will see if the employer is a good fit for ME before I am a good fit for THEM.

Yes. This.

You learned a valuable lesson that many of us don't figure out until too late. Sorry that this happened to you but glad you are getting out of there with your dignity and (future) license intact!

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Yes. This.

You learned a valuable lesson that many of us don't figure out until too late. Sorry that this happened to you but glad you are getting out of there with your dignity and (future) license intact!

Thanks, I appreciate it.

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There is no question about it. Quit and run as fast as you can. They dont care about you. But like the rest, I would stay away from LTC. It isnt going to get much better. But you do as a new nurse need a job that will be nurturing and informative. There are jobs out there like that. You will have to find it though. Maybe a hospital is the best place for you on a med surg unit to get all skills down and time management down as well. Its a good place to start. Start in Per diem if needed till your schooling is completly done. At least that way you can work when its convenient for you and school schedule. Good luck.

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Unless it is a completely unbearable situation, it's always a good idea to give the proper notice. At my place, it's 4 weeks notice.

I completely agree. I would call and speak to manager. Maybe she will agree to minimal notice, or not require any notice.

However I would atleast give them this courtesy. Calling in sick and then never returning is not the professional way to handle it. Even if you don't list this on your resume it could come back on you. Regardless it is the right thing to do.

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Specializes in Med/surg, ER/ED,rehab ,nursing home.

My first job was in a nursing home. They did not give me any orientation other than working with the day shift nurse for one day. Then I was THE ONLY licensed person on the night shift. I learned quickly what to do. My job was to handwrite the doctors orders....basic orders that never changed...for 30 patients...so that the nursing home could send it to the docs to sign. Then giving a lot of PRN meds at night, as well as the morning meds. Wound care, too. I had two techs that were required to fold and put away the daily linen that had been washed...as well as taking care of their patients. I think it is nice that hospitals give a 6 month orientation. I do not see how the place you are working does not think the NCLEX /license is important. They need you WITH your RN license. :nurse: I would not give up. Also understand the all the studying in the world will not make you pass your test. If you do not know this by now, you will not remember it at test time. Good luck. Nursing homes expect staff to preform the impossible. These older folks take 4 times as long to take their meds, and do things than a younger mixed population. No one seems to consider this time need. I enjoy hanging out with these lovely folks, so taking time was not a major problem. Again, good luck. :twocents:

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