Leaving the er after six months

[Sj3215]

In short i've been a nurse for almost three years working on a MedSurg telly and doing float for all the different floors ib the hospital including geriatric PCU respiratory critical care etc. I made a switch to emergency medicine and absolutely hate it- unfortunately Rven being a nurse with experience I had to go through a residency program which entails a contract of commitment for one year -six months of training and classes.. I hate the hours and the stress of the job and want a set schedule .. My manger told me I might not have. Set schedule up to a year and so now I work all hours of the day and night- while they gave new grads first choice on hours- leaving nothing for me - even though I've been at the hospital for four years. I've recently been offered A position outpatient with 3 to 4 days a week eight hours shifts no weekends no holidays in pre admission testing and pre op. The schedule sounds like a dream -- my only question is I feel super guilty for leaving after only being in the ER six months - but having experience as a nurse I know I don't want to stay at a job I hate- especially with a sucky schedule--- What would you do if you were me and how would you approach my manager

[mdsRN2005, ASN, BSN, RN]

On 6/16/2018 at 5:48 PM, amzyRN said:

I would do what was best for me. If you hate the job, get the heck out of there. If you like emergency medicine then perhaps stay till you get a year and get another job somewhere else. Rotating shifts and random scheduling sucks. I had a job with random scheduling and I quit too. I actually left the ER but came back after 6 months because I was so bored at my new job. I have found that I hate boredom and routine just as much as excessive workload (which was another reason why I left my last ER). If you hate the ER though and don't see yourself staying in the specialty and you hate the schedule, why would you stay? Don't let guilt make you stay in a job. If they wanted to get rid of you, they wouldn't feel guilty about it. It's business.

I would approach my manager in person and tell her that the random scheduling and rotating shifts are having a negative impact on your health. If she says they can fix it, consider staying. If not, tell her when your last day will be and write your letter of resignation to make it official.

I too left the ER for a “easier” job only to be bored out of my mind. Now I’m thinking of going back to ER. One thing to consider, when you work 8 hr shifts (or even 10hr ones like I do), you don’t get as many days off. Yes you’ll have weekends and holidays but that’s all!

If you actually enjoy the ER but hate the rotating shifts, stay as long as you have to go fulfill any obligations or commitments you have made but look at other ER’s where you’d have a set schedule. Unless of course your manager is willing to accommodate you.