Orientation losing it's flavor

Published

Specializes in Family planning, med-surg.

I accepted a job at a SNF, the best one around. During my brief orientation, I observed hostile behavior between staff members and lazy CNAs. It reminded me why I didn't want to go to A SNF. I told the scheduler that I wasn't available to OR for a few days and am back to filling our applications. I am wondering, as of now I'm not sure what my comittment is to this facility. It doesn't seem right to leave, accepting a paycheck when I haven't done any work. But let's face it, they roped me in, didn't even check my references. They are not even interested in what I've done. They just want a body. If I leave, will it look bad on my hisotry? I usually stick things out and have never worked anywhere less than 9 months. I don't want to quit in case I can't land another job, than I'll just have to make the best out of the SNF. But I can tell you, this is not a positive working environment.

Specializes in Mental and Behavioral Health.

Keep filling out applications, but keep this job until you get another one. It's a bad economy for jobs. You don't want to be without one. Try to make the best of it. And, who knows? You may have been sent there to help them turn things around at that facility.

I think you should keep your job and keep filling out aplications,with that said I just accepted a job as a transporter(my whole family totally disowned me and their friends hehe and all they do is just keep giving me advices what should I do so I finally missled back and told them if they really care why dont they use their connections to get me in-yes some of them are nurses so that kind of back them off) in one of the major magnet hospitals and they only hired internal applicants for their new grad program so I'm hoping somehow I will be able to to get in....just keep plucking away and be patient:heartbeat

Specializes in chemical dependency detox/psych.

Well....are you planning on submitting your resignation immediately, or are you going to continue to work there until you find a new position? If you're going to continue to work there, I wouldn't worry about any obligations....they would fire you at the drop of the hat if it met their purposes. I quit a SNF after less than a month, as it wasn't a good fit for me. I didn't have a job lined up, but I knew that I had to quit asap. I typed up a resignation letter that stated that I appreciated the learning opportunities that they had offered me, but the job wasn't a good fit for me. Keep all resignations letters/conversations positive, as otherwise they can come back to bite you in the butt. The good news was that I got hired to a new position less than 3 weeks after leaving that job. Now that I have this new position, I will not use the previous job on my resume (it was my first after graduating, and it wouldn't look funny to have a month or two gap in employment.) The new job is MUCH better, and I'm planning on staying there for quite a while.

Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

You have no obligation to stay in a bad situation just because they hired you. I agree with Arelle, though. Be very careful about leaving this job before you get another one. It's tough out there, and new jobs are neither plentiful nor easy to get. As nurses we became accustomed to walking out on a job and having another one before the day was out, but those days are past.

SNF? for a noobe

Specializes in chemical dependency detox/psych.

snf=skilled nursing facility

Specializes in Emergency Department.
SNF? for a noobe

Skilled Nursing Facility

(Don't worry, I'm pretty NOOB and the experienced nurses had to learn what a Sniff was the first time they heard it too!)

Specializes in ER, PACU, Med-Surg, Hospice, LTC.
During my brief orientation, I observed hostile behavior between staff members and lazy CNAs. It reminded me why I didn't want to go to A SNF. I told the scheduler that I wasn't available to OR for a few days and am back to filling our applications. I am wondering, as of now I'm not sure what my comittment is to this facility. It doesn't seem right to leave, accepting a paycheck when I haven't done any work. But let's face it, they roped me in, didn't even check my references. They are not even interested in what I've done. They just want a body. If I leave, will it look bad on my hisotry? I usually stick things out and have never worked anywhere less than 9 months. I don't want to quit in case I can't land another job, than I'll just have to make the best out of the SNF. But I can tell you, this is not a positive working environment.

Like the others have mentioned, keep working (if you can handle the stress) and continue to fill out applications.

You never have to mention this job to future employers. Oh, and you don't have to 'stick it out', either! If you are not happy.......leave. I firmly believe that you have to look out for yourself. If it makes you feel any better, I quit a job after 1 day. I could tell I was going to absolutely HATE it, so I left. I wWiped my hands clean of that toxic environment and felt great about my decision.

Please, make sure that you pick up your paycheck. It is yours. By law, you are entitled to that money, 100%.

Good luck!

I would keep working and looking for something else. You can make the CNA's your friends. I've found that if you treat them with respect they will step up to the plate and help you out when needed. I depend on the CNA's that I work with. I always have. They tend to do more for me than they do for others. Listen to how the other nurses are talking to and about the CNA's and you'll learn how it works. Most CNA's that I've worked with actually want to do a good job, they just want to be asked in the right way to do things or perhaps taught. You can actually learn a lot from some CNA's, especially the ones that have been around awhile. They are the ones that know how to turn and position a pt., how to get them out of bed and how to pull them up in bed in the easiest manner. If a skilled unit isn't for you, you can still gain experience that will help you move on to something else. I think quitting now shows you have no stability.

Where ever you wind up. Good luck. We need all the nurses we can get and we need nurses that care.

Specializes in geriatrics.

I'm in a similar situation as you. Started a new job in a LTCF closer to my home and really unhappy with some of what I'm seeing. (Messy, lazy, attitudinal staff, complicated paperwork) I know there is good and bad everywhere, but I must admit I'm homesick for my old unit, residents and "crew":cry: I can see how well-run it was there compared to where I am now! I've always given advice to new nurses and CNA's to tough it out for at least 2 months before walking away, because it takes that long to really know your job and the people you work with. But I have to admit, it is tough taking my own advice right now! I really struggle with their paperwork system. Having a hard time seeing the big picture of what comes from where, gets dealt with how, and goes where. It's all very abstract until I actually get in there and do it myself, but I'm nervous because there will be no one there to ask at some point. (I've always worked on 2-nurse units, where there was another nurse you could go to. At my new place there is only one nurse on each floor, and more residents than I've ever had. Plus I'm a float! And they all say that the RN Supervisors hate to come to the units to help!)

I am giving it til the holidays and if by then I still don't feel good about my job, I will go elsewhere. Likely back to my old facility... right now I'm thinking maybe the drive wasn't so far after all ;)

I will be thinking of you in your situation in the next few weeks as I deal with mine. It's good to know a lot of us go through the same stuff! Good luck!!!

Specializes in Family planning, med-surg.

Another thing that has me wondering about this place...the RCM was scheduling me with nurses to orient with, she said she was particular about who did the orientation, than she put me with someone that has been working less than one month! This person is fresh out of orientation! I just am wondering why she trusts someone brand new more than someone who has been there for years...

+ Join the Discussion