job change was a HUGE mistake... now what? Nurse Manager advice?

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Im new to allnurses! I have a major dilemma.

I think I know the answer to my dilemma - but it feels aweful.

I worked on a med-surge unit as a CNA for a little over a year, and then after graduation in May 08 - they hired me for a RN position. I was hired for the night shift - and it allmost killed me. So - an opportunity to work for an OBGYN office presented itself to me (a friend works there) and they hired me right away. I've always been interested in women's health - I gave 2 weeks notice to the med/surg job (they wanted 4 weeks - but my new job needed me to start right away) - and so I started the OBGYN job right away.

That was about 2 weeks ago. I didn't like my new job at all at first and so i tried to give it a little bit of a chance... but sadly, im sure i dont like it. Im not using any of the skills i learned at the hospital, i miss the direct person-person care... i really do miss it! I miss the money, the benefits, the people (a little) and the patients for sure.

The thing is - Im not sure how to get my old job back now...

Can any nurse managers out there tell me how they would feel about taking me back?

When i left my medsurg job - i felt like it was really quick, hasty, it was also the holiday and so i never even spoke with my managers until my last day - handing in my badge. ( i had informed them via email - because they were both on vacation!) i feel like a jerk the way i left and so im not sure how they will respond.

any advice?

thanks all!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

and... I do realize they do not have to give me my job back. I just feel like a big SCHMUCK! and like an idiot, frankly. It's embarassing and depressing - the whole situation.

Im about to eat humble pie and have navy knots in my belly.:cry:

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

I'm sorry this happened to you; one of life's lessons, huh? From reading your story, I'd say that in order to get your job back, you'd have to be extremely lucky or just have a really good manager. So how much notice did you give, two weeks or nothing? I didn't really understand that part of your post. Did you leave them short staffed? If the answer is yes, then you probably won't get this job back. But in these times of our economy, be grateful that you have some kind of job. good luck, hope it works out for you, just strike it up as another lesson learned.

BTW, I work night shifts and wouldn't have it any other way, it's a great shift to work, IMO, esp for a new grad.

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Well, Had you worked the entire notice, I think you would be able to get it back, but leaving a unit high and dry without the proper notice I think it will be pretty difficult. No offense to you but I would not hire anyone back that left me without a proper notice.

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Are there any other hospitals you could consider applying to in your area? Don't get discouraged. Change is difficult. The perfect position for you may be an application away.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I did work out my entire notice - 2 weeks. I did not leave the unit high and dry that i know of - people had picked up all of my shifts before my last day even, so it was not difficult for them to fill those shifts, i dont think.

but who knows..

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Hey Britney - thank you for your reply.

BIG lesson learned - yup.

To clarify:

1) i gave 2 weeks and worked all 2 weeks (they wanted 4 weeks, but i was unable to provide that due to the new job needing me to start).

2) I dont think i left them short staffed. I only worked 2 nights a week - and i believe the shifts were all taken before i even finished up my last night.

It just feels so awkward and crappy.

Arg...

and you are right - i am defintly grateful to HAVE a job - and i don't particularly hate it, i just know it's not for me - lots of people live that way... meh. oh well.

by the way - i did make that humbling call to my old boss - I left a message yesterday (saturday) and i just explained that I miss the unit, I miss the patient to patient direct care and that I didnt realize all of the skills they taught me on the unit would be going unused at my new job - and that i felt maybe i would be of better use to patients who needed more care. I also said on the message that I realize they may not be able to give me my job back and that I understand... etc. etc...

who knows... maybe she'll at least consider the possibilty of hiring me back - since they did put all that effort into training me... and it's only been 2 weeks since i left?

thanks again Britney,

B

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Hey Vern - it's possible - I think that my decision will be pretty easy... IF my old job hires me back - great. IF they dont - that's OK too - I will stick it out at the new job and try my hardest to learn as much as I can and help out... that's just the way I am.

I did call my old boss to ask for my job back - but she wasn't in and i left a message - so we'll see how it goes... either way - im realizing it's going to be OK.

When, oh when does a nurse find comfort in her job?! years later I assume.

Thank you Vern,

B

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Hi SMCABEE - thank you so much for your reply.

Heres some clarification:

1) i gave 2 weeks notice and worked every minute of it. (they wanted 4 weeks but i was unable to provide that due to the new job needing me to start).

2) I dont think I left the unit high or dry... i only worked 2 nights a week at that point - and they only needed to cover 2 weeks of my shifts (so 4 days) - and they were all signed up for before i even finished out my last day.

I really tried not to put them in a bind - and maybe by leaving i DID put them in a bind anyway - I hope not though - it was not my intention to leave that way...

I guess we'll see what my old boss says if she returns my call.

Thanks for the reply SMCABEE! I appreciate it!

B

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

Well, good luck breelee, you never know, she just may give you your job back.

You sound very sincere and every body deserves a second chance, maybe your

manager will think the same thing. If not, lesson learned, move on.

Take care

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I don't have much advice, but to say that is a hard lesson to learn. At least next time you'll take it a bit slower.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Sounds like the bridge has been burned.....

Try to find another job in another hospital, or see if you can take on a more clinical role in your current job...

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