New Job Blues, Any Input?

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Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

Hi all! Just wanted to get some advice about a new job situation.

I interviewed at the hospital I now work at back in the first part of August. I was set to start nurse practitioner classes, and made this very clear to the NM in my interview. I was assured that there would be no problem. What a joke. The NM pressured me to take a full-time job, which I refused, since I was afraid I could not handle 3 12s and schoolwork as well. I had told her that I would likely need to work 2 days a week after school started, and she agreed.

I have been a nurse for over 5 years, but I was told I would be orienting until I was used to the paperwork at this hospital. I was oriented 5 hours my first day. That's it! Now, I'm left to wing it, and when I mess up, I either get an earful from a colleague, "If Clara sees this, she'll rip you a new one!", or raked over the coals my next shift after chart audits.

I had the gall (I guess) to remind Clara, the NM, that after school started I would need only 2 days a week. Her response? "Well, now's a fine time to tell me! I've already redone the schedule X amount of times!"

Y'all, I have been there 9 days, and all this has happened. I am trying not to be bitter, but it is hard. What gets me the most is that, while I am on orientation, I am not supposed to have over 4 patients. I usually wind up with 6 or 7. There is another nurse, also on orientation, who has been there 2 months, and when she was set to get an admission, the charge nurse said, "Oh, no, Clara does not want her to have more than 4 yet." WTH?!?

I'd appreciate any advice. I know I'm not a new nurse, but if the new grads are being thrown to the wolves like I am (one quit after 3 months), I feel for this NM in the long run. Thanks!!!

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

I would meet with your NM so that you can again reiterate to her what your plans are and remind her that you let her know this right from the get go. Also, tell her that your expectations for orientation aren't being met... if you don't get the kind of support you need, I'd get the heck out of that job, while the going is good.

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Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

Thank you. I have spoken with her, and nothing is resolved. I do have another job on the line, so I am biding my time till I can start. My job status is PRN. I have this in writing. However, in contrast to every other PRN job I have had, the NM assigns the schedule without consulting me first. Usually, with PRN, the FT and PT people get scheduled, the PRNs are called in, told "this is where I need help, can you cover any of these days?". When she jumped me about the schedule, I reminded her that we had discussed this previously, and that I could give her my notice if she liked, but that I would not be treated that way. I also told the nurse who delighted so in telling me that I'd be ripped a new one that, the first time it happened, that floor would be minus one new nurse. I have enough respect for myself to not put up with that sort of treatment. After 5 years, little meek and mild me has had enough!

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
Thank you. I have spoken with her, and nothing is resolved. I do have another job on the line, so I am biding my time till I can start. My job status is PRN. I have this in writing. However, in contrast to every other PRN job I have had, the NM assigns the schedule without consulting me first. Usually, with PRN, the FT and PT people get scheduled, the PRNs are called in, told "this is where I need help, can you cover any of these days?". When she jumped me about the schedule, I reminded her that we had discussed this previously, and that I could give her my notice if she liked, but that I would not be treated that way. I also told the nurse who delighted so in telling me that I'd be ripped a new one that, the first time it happened, that floor would be minus one new nurse. I have enough respect for myself to not put up with that sort of treatment. After 5 years, little meek and mild me has had enough!

You go girl!! Obviously that NM's days are numbered! I can't imagine not doing everything in my power to hang on to a nurse who is pursuing her NP! What an incredible asset you are to ANY nursing staff! She is clearly an idiot or stressed out of her mind...or perhaps she is stressed out of her mind because she is an idiot and has no clue how to support and keep the staff she has. Good riddance, I say. Perhaps, once you are safe and sound in your new position you could write a letter to the DON (or whatever the title) at that facility. She is clearly a huge liability! Put her and that poor unit out of its misery!!!

;););)

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Med/Surg, Family Practice.

I've had the exact situation with a manager that deeDawn has described. My old NM was so unprofessional and (at times) rude that it blew me away most days...and I was a brand new nurse! (I could still spot a horrible manager, apparently!) She was late getting the schedule out, getting back to you regarding requested time off, or pissy when you had an issue (no matter how legitimate or pressing) especially if she had to rearrange her staffing. Most of the nurses on the unit disliked her, esp the new ones who expected more out of a manager. What sent me over the edge though...? When it came time for me to move on (marriage and moving to another country)...she offered to write me a letter of recommendation. I, of course, took her up on this. She said she'd have it to me in "X" amount of days (maybe a week, I forget) and she didn't have it done. So, I had to ask her every day that I came in and every day she didn't have it done. Finally, she did and you know what it was...? A hand written letter on printer paper (saying very glowing things about me, which was great but unprofessional...) with her business card STAPLED to the bottom. I was mortified! I thanked her very professionally, but when I got home I was so irate that I called her manager and scheduled a time to meet with her. There philosophy, I was told, was not to give letters of recommendation (company policy). This too, blew me away because the hospital is a well-known established one in Pennsylvania. ANYWAYS... The end result was that I didn't get a professional reference, one that I wouldn't be appalled to present to a potential employer. BUT... months later, I found out that the NM was demoted due to all the complaints and ineptness. Not that I bask in the misfortune of others at all, but it was nice to get confirmation that I wasn't out of my mind and that she really was a horrible ill-equipt manager.

Angelfire, try to hang in there and discuss your concerns (even if you have to reiterate to your NM what you've already discussed with her) but if she's not receptive and only gives you a hard time about it...I'd get out of there. It's not worth your sanity...espcially when you're doing your best to meet and exceed your nursing duties while doing well in school. Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in Infection Preventionist/ Occ Health.

I am sorry that you are in this situation. Being a new nurse and starting school are hard enough without having to deal with these types of issues.

It is one thing for your manager to verbally commit to changes in your schedule or FTE. However, you do not have any proof that this discussion occurred or that she agreed to the change unless you get it in writing and submit it to HR. At both of my organizations, there is an official form to fill out to change one's FTE.

Same thing goes for orientation- I recommend that you write a letter to your manager asking for more time with a preceptor. If she does not agree, go to the next level of management until you feel comfortable with what they are offering you. Your job and perhaps your license are on the line if you make mistakes, so it is important to have a good grasp of your job responsibilities before working alone.

If your manager refuses to work with you, it might be time to start looking for another position. Only you can decide what you are willing to tolerate.

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.
Thank you. I have spoken with her, and nothing is resolved. I do have another job on the line, so I am biding my time till I can start. My job status is PRN. I have this in writing. However, in contrast to every other PRN job I have had, the NM assigns the schedule without consulting me first. Usually, with PRN, the FT and PT people get scheduled, the PRNs are called in, told "this is where I need help, can you cover any of these days?". When she jumped me about the schedule, I reminded her that we had discussed this previously, and that I could give her my notice if she liked, but that I would not be treated that way. I also told the nurse who delighted so in telling me that I'd be ripped a new one that, the first time it happened, that floor would be minus one new nurse. I have enough respect for myself to not put up with that sort of treatment. After 5 years, little meek and mild me has had enough!

Well, good for you. Either Clara is just plain dumb, or she is accustomed to managing by bullying. (Agreeing to one thing but pressuring you to do something else). It's not your fault if she has to rework the schedule two dozen times!!!

I agree with going to someone higher up (after you leave that job) and telling them exactly what happened to you. No way is she going to be able to get and keep adequate staff, treating people that way.

Most of the time I would suggest sticking out a job for at least six months, but you're in an impossible situation here. It sounds like you told Clara clearly up front what you could do, and she's ignoring what she agreed to. You can't do well in school in that situation. If you stay, unless there's a management change, you will be battling out every single schedule with her.

I hope something else works out for you very soon!

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Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

Thanks to all for the replies. I go back Tuesday, and Lord knows wht I'll be walking in to. A nurse (new grad) that I am in practitioner's school with has given notice and starts her new job tomorrow (Monday). The NM was out of town when this nurse turned in her notice. She turned it in for the same reasons I am upset. Looks like Clara would wake up.

Another thing that gets me about this place, and please tell me if your hospital is like this, is the way the Pyxis works.

At my old hospital, the Pyxis, once you pulled up the patient, would only display the meds ordered for that patient. This hospital's Pyxis gives you access to EVERY DRUG IN THERE for EVERY patient. When I asked about this, Clara gave me this sickeningly sweet smile and said, "Well, if you are carrying your MAR in there and comparing, that won't be an issue." OK, maybe not, but I wonder what happens when the narcotics start coming up short after Mrs. X gets her 5 Lortabs, even though she only had Tylenol ordered? (Unscrupulous nurses). Does anyone else's Pyxis work like this? Thanks again!

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Specializes in MICU/SICU.

AHHH. I'm starting my new job on Wednesday. I sure hope I don't encounter these problems. I should probably stop reading posts until I start. I'm so anxious!

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Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

:balloons:Update!!!

I turned in my notice Tuesday. The floor was so bad that day, I called my new job to ask when I could start, and they gave me the high sign to turn in my 2 weeks. Good Lord, what a day. Clara was in rare form, as usual. I am still on orientation, supposed to only hve 4 patients, walked in to 6, and got an admission at 0800. Three discharges and another admit later (which I found out about when ER called with report, I HATE that), meds missing, and still having not charted a single line, I finally said to no one in general, "This is crazy!". At that point, Clara grabs me by the arms and says, "You need to CALM DOWN. This is med-surg." To which I pulled out of her grip and said "This is no med-surg like I have EVER worked before."

All she had done all day was sit behind the desk and audit charts. When we got slammed, she was still there. Eventually, as I passed by one of my rooms, I noticed a new patient being wheeled in. Having not had time to do my admit OR my discharges, I asked about the pt, to have Clara roll her eyes and say "Well, I guess she's MINE." I guess she thought it was beneath her to have to actually do patient care.

At the end of the day (another admission later), I made it a point to ask Clara if I could talk to her. I had typed up my letter of notice, and had placed it in her door, but i wanted to be professional. As soon as I told her what was up, she started in. "Are you telling me that you did not know about this when you hired in?" Um, no, heard from them last week. "Why is here so bad?" Boy, could have had a field day there, but stated that my doctor had said I needed to give my back a break or I was looking at surgery (which is true). "You knew about this before hiring in?" Nope, knew I had arthritis (at age 26, no less) but no mention of surgery till about 2 weeks back.

Everything she could, she tried to trip me up on. Even told me that she used to work where I am going and that I would be bored to tears. Beats 10 hours without a potty break. I did state that I wanted to stay on as on-call PRN, to which she said, "Well, I'm going to have them fill your position. I need NURSES." I guess I don't qualify anymore.

I'd be interested to hear thoughts on whether or not I handled tihs well. Sorry to be so long. Thank you!

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