need help getting out of dangerous job!

trrinatl · May 18, 2006

Yikes, what an awful situation. First of all, there are may avenues to take, but the best way to handle it is to take the "high road" and keep things strictly professional and legal.

Go to your HR department and ask if there is a two week notice clause for orientees. Many states have different rules, but always go by the hospital policy. If you follow hospital policy,they cannot make you a "do not rehire" when you leave. If you DO have to give a two week notice, type up a very professional letter to your department manager with an effective date and final work date. Express your concerns by quoting hospital policy related to floating and being assigned to the code team, be sure you find the actual written policy and you can even attach copies of the policy to your resignation letter. Also express in your letter that you fear you'll be given unfair patient assignments due to your resignation and you would like to have written documentation as to the hosptials policy on refusing assignments and abandonment.

If you are not under any stipulations for a two week notice, then STILL write the same letter, but make it effective immediately, also quote the hospitals WRITTEN policy on termination during orientation not requiring a two week notice.

Make copies of the signed letter and file it away. If there are any issues, you have all the documentation you need to head directly to your attorneys office with a nice little case. The one thing they forget to teach us in nursing school is to ALWAYS follow the hospitals policy manual, even when self terminating, and ALWAYS keep copies of documentation. It'll be the best thing you ever do for yourself.

Artis · May 18, 2006

I graduated from nursing school about 5 months ago. I have been working at a brand new small hospital in the MICU. I was really excited about the job but it has been a NIGHTMARE! My first week out of orientation I was designated the code nurse!!!! At our hospital a nurse from our unit goes to any code blue that happens in the hospital and coordinates it until the doc comes. While I have had ACLS I do NOT feel qualified for such a huge responsibility. I verbalized this to the charge nurse but was told I had to do it since we were short staffed that day. Thank God there were no codes that shift. When starting the job I was told I wouldn't be responsible for codes for at least a year.
The hospital also has a 6 month no pull policy which states you are not allowed to be pulled to another unit until you have been there for at least 6 months. This also is not honored. A girl from my floor got pulled to the CVICU her first week out of orientation and was given 3 heavy duty cardiac patients. She quit soon afterwards. I am terrified of that happening to me. I have verbalized multiple times that at this time I don't feel qualified to be pulled to such places and get assignments like that. I was told each time that if our census is low I will be sent there and I don't have a choice. :angryfire It's not a matter of me just not wanting to go there but a matter of patient safety. They don't even seem to care about the patients' safety! :angryfire
Me and the other new nurses' orientation period was very brief due to the lack of staffing at the hospital. I don't feel that the little training I received qualifies me for most of the assignments that I get. It would probably be better if I had been a nurse in a different area for several years first but I am a new graduate! I am terrified of going to work every day and cry every night when I get home.
I've decided I need to get out of the job ASAP. I don't have a written contract with them so I'm not sure how long of a notice period I should give. I'm also afraid that once it is known I'm leaving my assignments will get even worse. I am afraid to stay there for any longer. The whole situation is a big fat lawsuit waiting to happen and I fear for my patient's safety and for my license! Any guidance about what you would do in the situation would be appreciated!!!!

Get legal advice! There must be a free legal advice in your city somewhere? Nurses are treated unfairly at times , and its about time we stood up for ourselves. Take care and I wish you well.

chadash · May 18, 2006

"...
NO ONE SHOULD LIVE IN FEAR THAT YOU HAVE NOT FOR ONE SECOND.
Clearly you are a smart and intelligent woman who is graduated with a college degree and also from a professional RN program.
Though I dont presume to know your economic status staying here is clearly harmful -- SO WALK --- IT IS THAT SIMPLE. I would care less about a reputation as if you stay the potential reputation that you harmed a patient is much more.
]

This is wonderful advice, but I can tell you from experience, I left for safety reasons once, and it did hurt my reputation.

rnpatrick · May 18, 2006

I just posted on trying to create a legal defense fund for nurses. Perhaps your situation will lead to you needing representation.Hopefully, you can get another job then report that hospital to the state board of health. I do travel nursing and there are problems everywhere. We need nurses to get on the same page and unite on issues. Otherwise we will continue to be abused.