Life after quitting first job as RN

[lorabel]

Hi all. I've posted here before..new problem. I worked in a hostile environment....nurses were nasty and ate their young. I stuck it out for as long as I could. I quit last week. Advised by many to do so including this forum. anyway...I was put back on orientation for a short period (which I didn't finish) to help me with "organizational skills." I was singled out by some nurses who seemed to be gunning for me for whatever reason? They would run to my director with any tiny thing they could find.......so in an effort I suppose to upease them I was put back on orientation. I had my fill because I was called on the carpet for things I have seen every nurse on the floor do.........I was damned if I did and damned if I didnt when it came to things such as asking questions when I wasnt sure. I was told to ask and did, then when I asked I was told I was passing on responsibility?????? I dont have a lot of confidence as anew RN and thats why i would ask before doing something......they seem to talk out of both sides of their mouths. So...I quit! what will this mean for me when trying to find another job? Will it bite me in the butt? I have only worked as an RN for 4 months and this was my first and only job. do I HAVE to list it on my application? what will my director say about me? will I get a good review or whatever? I was told I'm excellent with patients and their family but needed better organizational skills. which by the way I was told would come with time. I was also told I wasnt expected to know everything...but was treated like I should know when i asked? I was so frustrated and upset everyday...I felt like I didnt know what was expected from me???? HELP! Is my career over when it has just begun? I never missed a days work or was late and I never griped about my shcedule......I am VERY easy going.........that almost seemed to be part of the problem! I was TOO nice! Any advice out there? I was told I could use my director as a reference.........but what will she say? I was the 6th nurse to quit the unit in a 2 month period.......how bad will it look for me? I felt like it was too much for me as a new grad. Very busy floor with high acuity of patients........I need something slower paced..... HELP!

[jjjoy, LPN]

Many folks will encourage staying in an unsatisfying job for a certain amount of time for stability sake and the like. It's good advice in general. For any given situation, however, it may or may not be advisable. You're the one who has to go to work each day. You're the one who gets to decide what is and isn't worth the investment of your time and energy.

In regard to concerns about references, chances are that nothing bad will be said. Legally, I don't think there's much anyone can say anyway.

Also, you want to work somewhere that has faith in you, understands the struggles new grads face and will be supportive, not a place that expects new grads to be miraculously expert nurses. A good nurse manager will take into consideration your interview, how you will fit into their floor, etc and not just blindly reject you for having left this job.

Unfortunately, the easiest places to get jobs often are the most desperate - understaffed and unsupportive. So take your time if you can.

[1TachyRN, RN]

I have just completed my first year as a nurse AND left that job. Long story short, I initially got along well with all of my coworkers, but somehow got on the bad side of a couple of nurses who have a close friendship with the supervisor. This resulted in being called on the carpet for things that ALL of the nurses (supervisor included) do (nothing involving patient care). I was the only nurse there who had no previous experience before working there and I always felt like my judgment was being questioned and that I was being scrutinized super-hard.

I think you made the right decision in leaving. A toxic work environment, particularly for a new nurse, can take quite a toll on your confidence. This is just the tip of the iceberg, but the nurses that I mentioned before always spoke negatively of my coworkers in front of other coworkers. It made me wonder what they were saying about me behind my back. I start a new job in a different area (PCCU) of cardiac nursing next week and I am so looking forward to being able to practice more of the skills I learned in school. And, hopefully gain some of my lost confidence back.

:w00t:

I also think that managers who interview you would be understanding of a new nurse trying to find her niche and not hold it against you that you quit after four months. Try not to sweat it too much. :wink2:

[Newandconfused]

When I was reading this I had to take a doubletake at your name to make sure I had not written this thread!!!!! I haven't left my facility yet. I am trying real hard to get a transfer from the unit I am in ONLY b/c I want my 1 year in and then I am OUT OF THERE!!! I am glad you were able to get out. I like the idea of having a friend call to see what type of referance you would get. That would take the worry out equation. Good Luck to you and keep us posted on what comes your way.

[steelcityrn, RN]

Be glad you finally got out of there. I agree with the others, put this job down on your application and if a employer does not hire you because of it, then try not putting it down. Best of luck,its a shame how people treat each other.

[lorabel]

Thanks to all! It has been *ell! I have very little confidence after that experience...even questioning if I have what it takes to be a good nurse. then i remind myself that I never harmed a patient...it was petty things i was called on. I know there is a place for me in nursing. I just have to find it! I'm getting the impression that it is normal to lose confidence after going through what I did in my workplace. that was going to be my next question. I am still looking but seem depressed..tired all of the time and just "sad." My husband is not very supportive of my decision. He's not the one that had to endure what I did everyday. We need benefits. As I told him, its not like I'll never work again! what I needed was a shoulder to cry on. I have several applications I need to mail out...sitting on the counter......I applied to a couple places online as that was the only way they accepted apps. I do have an interview next week at a LTC facility. not sure thats what i want, but plan to go check it out. Thanks again to all who offered me support!!!!!!!!!

[lorabel]

Hi all.........I got a form for an exit interview in the mail today........Gee its tough! I want to be honest and they say they encourage honesty.......but we all know they talk out both sides of their mouth...where i worked anyway...... If I'm brutally honest I completely burn my bridges with the network......so should I wait until after I start a new job? What if I'm honest and tell it like it was from my perspective...and a potential employer calls my director (who said I could use her as a reference) and gives me a poor recommendation? Does she have the power to control my nursing destiny?? Do I not fill it out at all?????? The form has questions about management, support, team work of the unit, etc....What should i do?????

[Simplepleasures]

Hi all.........I got a form for an exit interview in the mail today........Gee its tough! I want to be honest and they say they encourage honesty.......but we all know they talk out both sides of their mouth...where i worked anyway...... If I'm brutally honest I completely burn my bridges with the network......so should I wait until after I start a new job? What if I'm honest and tell it like it was from my perspective...and a potential employer calls my director (who said I could use her as a reference) and gives me a poor recommendation? Does she have the power to control my nursing destiny?? Do I not fill it out at all?????? The form has questions about management, support, team work of the unit, etc....What should i do?????

Wait till you get a different job, but whatever you say they can and probably will hold it against you. If you have a positive experience at your new job, you dont ever have to use them as a reference again.Be careful, its a rough bunch we play with in the world of nursing.