Looking for new job after just starting one

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.

I'm sure there are topics on this, but I'm just too tired to go searching, so I'm sorry.

I recently relocated, and started a new job. I've had a week of corporate orientation, then had 3 days at the facility. I was given 8 hours orientation of my first 12 hour shift, then on my own the last 4 hours. (There's only 1 nurse on a shift). I spent the first part of my morning hearing how much the nurse hated her job, she only had a few days left, and she had quit without a job lined up because it was so bad there. She's a newer nurse and only been there less than a year. The majority of the nurses have quit within the last month. I'm pretty experienced (8 years including travel), so figured I could make it work.

Unfortunately, it's just not going to work out. There are a few reasons, but a big one is I was mid led regarding scheduling and what is essentially mandatory overtime. It's 12 hour shifts, and you are required to work 4 days a couple times in the month. That plus the grouping of the set schedule puts me out of the house for 14 hours a day- 5 times in a 7 day period. I have young children at home, I just can't do it. There are safety issues I am also concerned about, and do not really feel comfortable. Things such as the LPN telling me to just cut up an ER pill and give it (oh we do it all the time, charting meds on time when they are knowingly and intentionally given hours late, etc).

I need to start putting in apps again. I plan on working until I find a new job, as I can't afford to be out of work. How do I handle this? I figured I wouldn't put it on my application. But what about when I interview? Due to the schedule, and I will need to give 2 weeks notice, it's going to be obvious I'm working when I do get an interview. What do I say? I've never been in this situation before.

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

Cutting up an ER pill and giving it!?! I can't stand the stupidity. I would be honest regarding the scheduling because I too would not be okay with 5-12's. Whats wrong with working when you get an interview? Why do you not want to put it on the app? I'm thinking you just relocated, landed this job, and you would like a job with better scheduling for you and your family? I would consider your app if I was hiring.

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Just be honest...without completely bashing this new job of yours. I had a similar issue with my previous job. When I went on job interviews and the (dreaded) question of "why are you leaving your job?" came up, I simply said, "I like it there but the schedule just isn't working for me like I thought it would." Simple. I have used it several times and no further questions have been asked. Good luck.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.

Great thanks. I wasn't going to put it on my app, because for one, I don't really want them calling them, plus it seems pointless to use a job I've been at a week. I have plenty of previous employment. I was at my previous job for 3 1/2 years. I'm also going back to a hospital, this is more of a community type job.

It's technically 4 12's the one week, because of the Sun-Mon scheduling. But it's literally work 2, off 2, work 3, off 2, work 2.. lather, rinse, repeat. There is no flexibility at all. If you looked at it in a M-Su way, it's five 12's in 7 days. Which for some people may not be a big deal. But I've been part time for like 6 years. It's a change going back to full time, to throw in mandatory overtime on top of it, which I was not told about..

I'm also driving 50-60 minutes. I'll be applying at the hospitals closer to home.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
Cutting up an ER pill and giving it!?! I can't stand the stupidity. I would be honest regarding the scheduling because I too would not be okay with 5-12's. Whats wrong with working when you get an interview? Why do you not want to put it on the app? I'm thinking you just relocated, landed this job, and you would like a job with better scheduling for you and your family? I would consider your app if I was hiring.

Yes, simply to make it take effect faster. Because it was being given 3 hours late. I asked her to give a pill that I forgot to give, because I was already an hour over and still had charting to get done. She refused and said she would give it when she did her HS medications. I said it couldn't be given then, it was ordered specifically for that time, because the doc wanted it to have time to take effect before bedtime. Her response was to "just cut it open to make it immediate release". When I said no, I wasn't going to do something like that, she told me "We do it all the time". While continuing to refuse to help me out. Instead she stood there doing nothing while I got up and went and gave it. When I called her on it, said I didn't understand why she couldn't just do me a favor and take the 2 minutes to give the med as I asked.. her response was "Because that's the way we do it here" and we can take it up with supervisor. I should have said yes.. sure I will, so we can tell her about your dangerous and illegal practices. Sorry.. I'm still fuming over it.

Just to clarify, I gave the med an hour late (due between 6-7pm), I gave it at 8:10. Had I not given it and told her to just do it with HS meds, which was the only way she would do it, it would have been 3 hours late)

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