Leaving a job while in orientation

[Punch]

I worked in a LTC facility for a full year right after graduating as an RN. Then I was lucky enough to secure a job on the dayshift in MedSurg at our local hospital. I was so excited and eager to begin my new job.

As any new nurse, I asked a lot of questions and paid close attention to other nurses and how they did things. I was assigned to several different nurses as preceptors during this orientation. I thought things were going well. I did not get a mid-orientation review until I only had two weeks left of my 12 week orientation. At that time, I was shocked to hear from the DON that "more than one" nurse had told her that I did not seem to have the self-confidence that I should have in the job.

She also stated that one of the nurses told her I had made a med error with an injectable drug. The only such error that had been made, was one in which I caught my own mistake while still in the med room! I was shocked and disheartened.

She did not tell me any names or exactly what had been said about me. I then became very self-conscious and lost all semblance of self confidence. In essence, my excitement and happiness to be working in med /surg just went down the tubes that day! I told the DON how much I wanted to be a nurse in Med/Surg. She told me that it was nothing against me, but perhaps I would be better in an office setting or in Psych. She also stated that I was a wonderful person and the patients loved me! Unfortunately, instead of fighting for my job and showing that I have what it takes, I resigned my position the next day.

I spent a few days crying and feeling sorry for myself, but then went out and got another job in LTC. I work in the skilled area of the facility with responsibility for 22 patients, as compared to 4-5 in the hospital. I have since deeply regretted my decision to give up at the hospital. I am not happy at the facility at which I work and really want back into the hospital setting! I am not a young nurse - 60 years old, having graduated at age 58 with honors.

I am afraid that I have burned my bridges! The DON told me she would give me a good reference. Two positions at this same hospital in Behavioral Health became available, for which I applied hoping I would get a "bite." I called my former DON to ask if she would indeed give me a good reference for one of these jobs (had to leave a message on her voicemail, and did not receive a reply back from her).

I did not receive a call from HR to interview for either of these positions...I did call three times to let them know I was very interested! Sorry this is rambling, but I need to know what to do! In applying to other jobs elsewhere, I would just as soon leave the Med/Surg position off of my resume since I did not complete orientation. However, I did work at that hospital in a different capacity for four years and would hate to leave that off as well! I am just in a quandry here to the point that I am not even sure I want to continue in this line of work!

I do love nursing and caring for people, but the facility at which I work is not close to home, I work 12-14 hour overnight shifts, am tired all the time, and have just lost my zest for life! My husband is very understanding, but is not able to work, so all the responsibility is on my shoulders! I find myself resenting him, too! I KNOW I am a good nurse, but how do I resolve this??? Please help!!!

[Punch]

By the way, I have never been a job hopper. During my entire working career, I never worked less than 6 years at a job. Now it looks as though I am indeed a job hopper! This too, plagues me!

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Well if you left during orientation and without a two week notice you are most likely considered not eligible for rehire..

[biblepoet]

Sorry guess you will have to try other avenues. Depending the area jobs might not be as plentiful how long did you work at the Ltd?

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

I would move on elsewhere. Blessing in disguise, perhaps? It makes me completely sick when patients love certain nurses, techs, other healthcare professionals and with the exception of a few floor staff, they get along with their co-workers and then certain groups of people (co-workers or manager) try and get rid of them. I honestly think it's an insecurity thing on their part.

[Punch]

[before I left the hospital, HR told me that I am rehirable. However, I do believe that perhaps that was just their way of preventing discrimination charges?

[Punch]

Also, I did not believe a two week notice was necessary during orientation, since I was still considered an orientee with a preceptor.

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

Always give a two week, orientation or not.

PS I would have gotten that rehirable in writing.

[RiverNurse]

I worked in an ER setting after working nine months on a med/surg floor. Big city, downtown ER - Me? I was from a little town... I was a very little fish in a huge pond.

I could go on and on about the experience - but suffice it to say - I realized I was in way over my head. I, too, thought I was doing well - but found out I was "slow". I was asked if I would be able to pick up the pace by the end of orientation. I was honest and expressed my doubts - but that I'd think about it. I did. I thought about it for two days and turned in my two week notice. I returned to med/surg.

Things have a way of working themselves out. Hang in there.

Rivernurse

[microtutor]

You sound like a really nice person, but maybe not the most assertive? Does your former DON know that you did NOT actually make a med error? Things like that matter, as far as your reputation and future are concerned. Seems like you are in a situation now where you need to move on, rather than try to go back as other posters have said. However, when you land your new position make sure lines of communication are wide open between you and your new preceptor(s). It seems like you failed to receive important feedback on your last job performance until it was too late.

Good luck!

[netglow, ASN, RN]

OP, the first part of your post about not getting feedback in order to improve is just so common in nursing today. Too many nurses and too many managers are reliving middle school at their jobs.

It's an embarrassment to nursing. What happened to you at the hospital job probably was an effort to get rid of you, and it was going to happen no matter how good of a nurse you were. It's a disgrace. And it happens often.

You hear MDs joke about nursing? This is a major reason why many can't respect our profession. Our idea of a residency is a joke. They know that the type of orientation we get is inadequate and heck I don't trust most of our profession because of this atmosphere. You ever wonder why MDs often don't want nurses to work for them in private practice? It's not just about the salary. They just see the foolishness that goes on - how can you feel confident about watching middle school relived on the floor when you do rounds? I would give a vote of no confidence too. I'd rather hire some one off the street and train them myself than hire an RN.

[FMF Corpsman, MSN, RN]

I did not receive a call from HR to interview for either of these positions...I did call three times to let them know I was very interested! Sorry this is rambling, but I need to know what to do! In applying to other jobs elsewhere, I would just as soon leave the Med/Surg position off of my resume since I did not complete orientation. However, I did work at that hospital in a different capacity for four years and would hate to leave that off as well! I am just in a quandry here to the point that I am not even sure I want to [COLOR=#003366]continue in this line of work! ]

I'm interested Punch, in what other capacities did you work at this facility? The fact that HR didn't return your 3 call(s) says volumes, I hate to be the one to tell you Punch, but I think you already know it, this Institution is "NOT INTRESTED AT THIS TIME." I don't know what other irons you may have in the fire elsewhere, but I hope you have something somewhere, or you may have to just continue slugging it out on LTC. I know it is anything but ideal, but it does pay the electric bill. I would suggest trying out some of the Walk In Clinics or even Drs. Offices, but they usually go for the younger nurses, I know they can't legally play favorites but they manage to get around that somehow. Maybe if you could find an older Doctor who needed an Office Nurse? Just an idea. I'm a little older than you are, so I do understand. Sadly, your age does work against you, even though the law says it can't, they will always manage to find something else to use in it's stead and you will be told, "I'm Sorry."

Punch, A big part of the problem here is that you are waiting for someone else to tell you what to do. To be a Nurse, you need to be decisive and capable of making your own decisions, at the very least, the decision concerning your own employment. Unless there is more to this scenario that you haven't shared with us, such as additional facilities, other jobs etc, it doesn't appear all that complicated, but you are the only one who knows all of the facts and you are the only one capable of making these decisions, no one else. Good Luck.