New job- to quit or not?

Nurses Career Support

Published

  1. Quit or Not?

    • 10
      Just quit now- don’t go back
    • 41
      Wait for definite new job
    • 3
      Suck it up and stay

51 members have participated

in need of opinions.

i relocated recently and started a position in a local well respected hospital.

same specialty of nursing that I've always done, just different obviously as it's a new shift & facility.

My co workers are not very friendly and I dread going in each shift.

overnight shift sucks as it is, it's 1000x worse without decent company or help.

I have two interviews for day shift at other nearby hospitals in the next two weeks.

due to the way the schedule was made & personal conflicts, I am going to be going 24 hours without sleep for a couple of shifts this week.

Additionally I am being put through hell every shift i go in. I am still technically orientating to the hospital but I am working the floor with a preceptor & I almost feel like I am being hazed being the new person.

Of course everything takes me slightly longer to do, I am new and do not know exactly where to find what I need on the floor or in the EMR. I don't understand the heavy accent of the doctor on call or know the first names when he refers a consult, or the little things that makes life easier once you're seasoned at a facility. Instead of helping it's an eye roll and "you better get used to it."

anyway, I am contemplating not going back because it is so bad and just going on my interviews for the new jobs on day shift.

i am confident I will be hired at one because I interviewed at their sister hospital and had my foot in the door but declined for my current position due to more pay and closer to home.

Now they have an opening on day shift 10 mins from my house so I am going back to interview with a director of nursing then scheduled to go directly to HR after interview.

so my question is-

would you all go back for a week of hell or just say screw it & quit?

either way I'm sure I won't be on good standing because I am leaving so soon after hire... I am still technically on orientation.

i just can tell the overnight shift isn't for me especially with the lack of team players & decent co workers.

I guess I'm just pushed to the edge with stress level. Relocating is stressful in and of itself so add to it adjusting to a night shift and new negative work culture is breaking me down. I think being awake all night is affecting my hormones and making it harder to handle. I'm just like why am I doing this to myself? I don't know if I can handle another week or two. I am debating giving notice this weekend before I have my next job lined up although I'm sure they will say don't bother because like you all said, I am still technically orientating. Which I see as a relief because this week is going to be terrible if I work without any sleep in both my home & work life. I'm afraid going 24 hours without sleep. I had to do it for a mandatory class last week and I was falling asleep sitting upright in class, don't remember the drive home, and I was falling asleep sitting upright watching my kids when I needed to be attentive, 2 days AFTER I had worked. I can't shake the exhaustion & mind fog.

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There is a point where you have to take control of your own health and safety. I have been where you are with that 24 hour baloney. Put your foot down and beg off one or both situations. I assure you nobody from that workplace is going to attend your funeral or visit you in the hospital should this turn into a tragedy. The only person that can be ultimately blamed would be you, because you are not setting the appropriate limit concerning YOU.

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I need to come to a decision tonight as I am due to go in. I am on the verge of saying "eff it"

Agreed about looking out for myself.

The night I got no break at all, I documented an IV in the right AC instead of the left. Silly little mistakes but that's what lack of sleep does. I apologized and corrected my error when pointed out and said "wow I'm tired I'm starting to make little mistakes like this" The nurse said "It's your third in a row? Wait until you're on your fifth in a row." I would never work 5 in a row. I know my limits.

The last shift I worked was my second night in a row and I had a mandatory training that morning after my shift work so I was awake over 24 hours and got a 3 hour nap prior to my next shift.

They knew half of us had this mandatory training yet they put a fresh crew on an easy assignment (the ones who did not have the training & it was their first shift on) and put me on the critical assignment with my preceptor.

At this point i'm doing everything alone and just using the preceptor as a resource if needed. So at no point is it "2 for the price of 1" in nursing care. The preceptor double checks charting and takes extended breaks. I am discouraged from using my preceptor. At no point does she assist with my assignment, I am expected to just handle it.

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The point to that was, I feel used & taken advantage of. I really don't like the way I am treated there. Perhaps they want me to quit lol it kind of feels like that. They all work OT. Maybe they don't want a full time person because it'll interfere with their OT ?

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Keep in mind, the world of nursing is very small and you don't want to burn any bridges or risk a future conflict. If you give your 2 weeks notice, they may let you off the hook early and at least that way you've done your part. If you give 2 weeks and end up having to complete it, in the whole scheme of things 2 weeks isn't that long to have to grin and bear it and in a few months you'll barely think about it.

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You are probably right about them wanting you to do the dirty work of getting rid of you. Your consistent complaining about the situation is debilitating to yourself and most likely noticeable to your supervisors. You have made the decision to leave. Give your two weeks notice or not, but end it or look for coping strategies. It is the coping strategies that you want to take to your next job. The complaining will only make things worse. And have a plan in place for the possibility that your next job environment will be more of the same or even worse.

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Specializes in IMCU, Oncology.

Why don't you call in sick one night so you can sleep and because they are not giving you a break due to day classes for orientation and night shift. You know you are leaving anyway. I would give proper notice as hard as it is. I too wanted to walk out on my previous job, but I stuck it out and gave my notice. I could barely eat while doing the job, I hated it so much!

This sounds like a toxic job! If I was a patient, I wouldn't want a nurse going without any sleep to take of me or my family.

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I don't complain at work.

I will do whatever is asked of me or thrown at me because I want to learn & get comfortable & think just doing it is the only way to get there. I know I'm letting it all out here but I promise I keep my mouth shut at work, I try to be humble and suck it up and take what's handed to me.

I am def not cut out for nights though, I am not meant for it. I agree it's inhibiting my ability to handle stress.

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I called off my shift and will give notice on Monday. It is toxic. I know I'm complaining now but I did not meet one nurse that was happy in her position there. It kinda scares me away knowing that's to come.

Causal conversation with my co worker "how did you adapt to night shift? Any tips?"

"I am constantly sleep deprived and it's like a loaded gun, something is going to happen it's just a matter of time" was her response.

I don't want that to be me.

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Specializes in CMSRN.

The fact that you are taking classes during the day and then working 12 hour shifts, 3 in row is unacceptable in my opinion. As much as I agree that you would not want to burn bridges, your safety is number one. If they do this with new hires what will they expect of you when you are out of orientation. Is this the reason co-workers are unfriendly? Possibly.

I would not look back. There are many ways to maintain a roof over your head and food on the table, and maintain your safety.

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.

I'm not sure if I'd wait till I had an offer or just quit if it was making me feel the way you do. Who wants to live like that? Either find a way to adjust the way you feel about your current job-using it to support yourself till you find something better-or get the heck out of that place. Life is too short for that and stress is toxic.

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I would not quit with one week work.I was on same shoes 9 years ago .Cried every single day after work and no sleep and I lost so much weight down to 99 pounds.I looked anorexic,it was so bad.My husband was so supportive and encouraged me to hang in there which I am glad now .I have been here for 9yrs and got a good raise in few yrs and happy .Once you prove who you are and your skills are things changes.So hang in there.

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