new grad in a sticky situation with HR!

[NPs4health]

Hi everybody,

PLEASE help me! Here's the situation: I just graduated in December, passed my boards and started working at a hospital that I am finding very unsafe(based on patient load, lack of help from nurse aides, patient acuity, constantly finding errors from pharmacy that I have to correct, preceptors doing things that are not safe practice ect.) My internship period is about to end and my manager is giving me hard time because I'm staying too late to get all my charting done, which I feel I absolutely have to do to cover myself and be safe).

Because of all these reasons, I am thinking about quitting this job and looking for another one (i have not taken any sign on bonus from this hospital). But it seems that many hospitals have already hired their new grads. Should I quit and wait for the next round of hiring? But then I will have a gap in my resume. And also, while filling out applications now, I'm not sure how to explain my current situation to prospective employers without them thinking that I'm just skipping from one job to another.

Anyone been in a similar situation or have advice on where I should go from here? :uhoh21:

[cuddlebug]

The world of nursing......Well, look at the positive aspect. Although your day may not go as well as you would like it to you are learning something. You will get better at all of this. TALK with your nurse manager, tell her whats going on. I know-it may not seem to make a difference but she/he may be able to give you some feedback on how you can improve. Alot is expected of us as new grads and it's normal for you to feel the way you do right now. You are not alone. Hang in there. BE SAFE, even if it takes extra time-its your license. If I were in your shoes umm I would probably get a job somewhere else before I quit. I am a new grad too and am so ready to get in there but have had to wait for the next round of hiring and its frustrating. As for explaining to other employer perhaps someone who's been in the nursing profession for a while can give some advice? Please help this new nurse.

[Dolce, RN]

I know its hard to stay, but look at it as a learning opportunity and try to make it six months if you can. Six months looks better on a resume than 3 or 4, one year looks better. If you absolutely have to quit be sure to give 2-3 weeks notice. Since you have just graduated you may find that starting at another facility adds to the confusion--new coworkers, new routines, new policies. When it comes right down to it, any place is going to be busy. If I were you I would focus on establishing a schedule that you perform every day. Staying organized helps with the feeling of chaos. Also, seek out experienced nurses who can be a resource to you. Lastly, two things I didn't do enough when I was a graduate nurse but I wish I would have. Never turn down anyone's offer to help and never be afraid to say "I don't know." You aren't expected to know everything. Hope you are happy with whatever decision you make.

[Music in My Heart]

Just one bit of caution: Be very careful in tossing about the "it's not safe" phrase. Safety is subjective and is an easy cop-out for why somebody might not like a work environment.

If I were an interviewer or screener, I'd take the claim of "unsafe" from a new grad with a grain of salt and probably ask some tough questions of them in order to ferret out how much of it was legitimate safety concern and how much was dissatisfaction with the environment.

I'm not suggesting that your assessment is wrong. I'm simply saying to be sure and to be cautious.

[humglum, BSN, RN]

How long have you been there (i.e. how long was your nurse externship?), what area are you working in, what is it about your environment that you consider unsafe?

If you can I'd advise staying and trying to work with your nurse manager. It is totally normal to feel overwhelmed, underconfident, etc. Many places will be willing to extend your orientation rather than lose a new grad they've spent time/money on. Maybe there's a nurse educator that can help you in your transition or maybe there's an experienced and organized nurse that can teach you some tricks to stay on top of things.

If you absolutely have to leave, I'd smile and say that your last position just wasn't a good fit, you felt like you didn't have the support you needed and tell them exactly what you need. If you're coy and say what they want to hear you may end up in the exact same position.

Oh, and ask to job shadow. Because nurse recruiters don't always tell the truth. :chuckle

[llg, PhD, RN]

Just one bit of caution: Be very careful in tossing about the "it's not safe" phrase. Safety is subjective and is an easy cop-out for why somebody might not like a work environment.

If I were an interviewer or screener, I'd take the claim of "unsafe" from a new grad with a grain of salt and probably ask some tough questions of them in order to ferret out how much of it was legitimate safety concern and how much was dissatisfaction with the environment.

I'm not suggesting that your assessment is wrong. I'm simply saying to be sure and to be cautious.

Excellent point. "It's not safe" from a new grad can easily sound like "I am not safe" -- particular if your current hospital has a good reputation. It often sounds as if the new grad just can't handle the real world and is running away blaming the environment when it is really the new grad's lack of skills that is to blame.

I'm not saying that is what is happening in your case -- just that it can sound that way. Unless your current unit has a bad reputation, be careful about accusing it of being unsafe. The other interpretation of your feelings of it being unsafe is that you, yoursel are not safe. You don't want to send out that message. It's not very attractive to a possible employer.