PLEASE HELP: New grad, 3 months into first job, want to quit and leave it off resume

[roseofmay]

Hi everyone. I am a new graduate who recently started my first RN job a little over 3 months ago. When I started the job, 8 weeks of training was promised to me, but I had received a little over 3 weeks and deemed prepared by management to work on their busiest and most difficult floor. My three weeks of training did not consist of much, and I felt so scared about their decision to leave me on my own. But they said I would learn as I go, and I went with it and started working with 10-15 acutely ill patients a day.

That was my first mistake, and from that time on, I have felt myself developing a type of anxiety that I have never felt before. I realize that nursing school did not prepare me for the job, and I find myself crying in the bathroom during my shifts and after my shifts in the car. I am having trouble sleeping because I keep myself up thinking about whether I forgot to mention something in the boatload of paperwork that needs to be done or when I gave report. I think about how I could potentially lose the license I worked so hard for because of the possible mistakes I could make because I'm so unprepared.

Currently, I am in a situation where I feel that I may be terminated or have to quit the job. I am struggling with the workload, and this has caused me to have tension with bosses, and an extension on my probationary period. I have heard coworkers talking negatively about me and not being able to do the work. Like any new nurse, I feel lost a lot, and now I feel uncomfortable reaching out for help because of the toxic work environment. It also doesn't help that my boss is pretty much unapproachable and just hard to talk to in general. Things are going downhill for me at this place, and I really can't see myself working there for that much longer. Has anyone had any similar situations? How did you deal with it?

I have considered quitting (without notice or two weeks...opinions?) but:

• Do I exclude this experience from my resume? It is the only healthcare experience I have, but I doubt it could be used as a good reference at this point.
  
• What do I say about it at interviews if I do include it? I know its a taboo thing to talk bad about previous employers.
  
• If I exclude it, do I say I never had healthcare experience when they ask?
  

Please help. Any comments about similar experiences are appreciated.

[MedicRN1]

Hey, sorry to hear about your bad experience. If I was in the same boat as you I would first attempt to switch units. If your not able to, I would suggest asking to transfer to a CNA/nurse tech/nurse assistant (w/e you call them). This way you can gain more experience and become more familiar with the policies and procedures of the hospital.

If your dead set on leaving, definitely put in two weeks and tell them, politely, your your pursuing better options.

I have a hard time with interviews and difficulty speaking clearly so honestly, I would lie about it to future employers. I would say that due to family health related issues I had to leave my place of employment. But thats probably wrong and bad advice, but Im not perfect haha.

[Workitinurfava, BSN, RN]

If you absolutely feel like it is impossible to hang in there than go but if you feel you can fight through it stick it out. Sadly many places of employment may not give you enough time to be up and running comfortably. It is a problem in many places, and not having experience may put you in this predicament again. Try to learn from the mistake and not let it cause you ongoing anxiety. You will have to overcome this to work as a nurse. Nursing is demanding. Is this a rehab facility or a nursing home? Although I do agree that it is important to work in a supportive environment.

[MHDNURSE]

You have already been given some great advice, so I won;t add to that. But I wanted to chime in that while it is stressful to resign, especially due to you being unhappy, you will fell a million times better once you are gone and so relieved. No one should be hiding in the bathroom during work and crying due to stress and anxiety- inexcusable that you were put in that position. Best of luck and hope you find just the right job as you start your nursing career. Please do not let this experience cloud your decision to begin a career :)

[EDNURSE20, BSN]

I think you should talk to your boss again, if you show them how upset/anxious you are it's going to be really hard for them to just turn you away and nit listen. Be honest with them. If things don't work out, start applying for jobs asap and give them 2 weeks notice.

Honesty is the only way you'll get through this without ruining your career. Put it on your cv. And come interviews I wouldn't even mention the orientation part, still sound negative to me. They didn't do this so I didn't say, I couldn't do my job, I couldn't handle the pressure. While I know that's not true, that's how an employer could easily see it. The less you say about this Job the better, I.e it wasn't a good fit.

The best thing you can do is find a job while your still working, always looks better. I know first hand how tough it can be in a toxic environment with anxiety, but this is only temporary. Just imagine the sweet revenge you'll have quitting to go some where better, instead of them destroying career over this.

[JackDawson23]

Start applying to other places now. Don't take it off your resume just yet. If you get a job offer, then you can tell them hasta luego.

[duca]

I would not exclude it from your resume. Many potential employers understand that an RN's first job is often not for them. You can also cite that your orientation was cut short, as that reflects more on your present employer and not you, while showing you care about doing a good job. As far as your anxiety, I think all nurses experienced that in the beginning, but it does get easier. You must commit to leaving work behind when you leave, making pleasure time for yourself and not dwelling. If you are not at work, then you are not working, so why think about it? You will have plenty of time to think when you are there. Learn to compartmentalize your thoughts based on where you are--in other words, live in the minute, not the past or future. Keep records of what is going on, such as the shortened orientation, times you asked for help and were denied, etc. It would help to relay your feelings to your manager, so you can say you tried. It will get better with time. I have been an RN for 19 years, and you are describing my history exactly. I now go to work with confidence and leave it behind once I get into my car, and this in in the context of dealing with a real bully on my unit who has singled me out. I just don't let it get to me any more. Just focus on your work performance and your patients, and it will all work out.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

Advice

Do not quit without notice! This decision will follow and haunt you for years to come.

Do not exclude this job from your resume. A background check with reveal you worked there and questions will follow.

Do not badmouth your employer - If asked about the previous job just say something like it wasn't a good fit and the separation was mutual.

Hang your shingle out now and start looking for another job.

Peace and Namaste

Hppy

[drkshadez]

Do not be afraid to resign and look for a new position, and do not be afraid to keep your current experience on your resume.

1) SOME experience is better than NO experience

2) The only thing that can be LEGALLY done is a prospective employer calls HR of your current employer and the ONLY thing HR can legally say is a) "X works here" and b) "Yes (or no) I would re-hire X"

3) it is good rapoort to give notice you are actively looking and that you wish to resign from your position within X days. I know one company that required 60 day notice - that is a bit extreme.

[roseofmay]

This was a very helpful reply. Thank you! You were on point about how I was worried it may seem 'cowardly' to not have a talk with my boss, but I can see how it just may not be worth it. I am going to try to keep this process short and simple. I agree with you about being whole again after getting this over with and moving forward. Thank you so much

[JackDawson23]

Advice

Do not quit without notice! This decision will follow and haunt you for years to come.

Do not exclude this job from your resume. A background check with reveal you worked there and questions will follow.

Do not badmouth your employer - If asked about the previous job just say something like it wasn't a good fit and the separation was mutual.

Hang your shingle out now and start looking for another job.

Peace and Namaste

Hppy

Not true in regards to the background check. If you leave it off your resume, nobody is going to find out unless you say something. Just leave it on your resume, especially if it's your only job as an RN. If your future employer wants to know why you're wanting to leave, just say you want to work closer to home, blah blah blah.

Let us know what you decide.

[rnstudent28]

That's incredibly unfair to do to somebody especially a new grad, I've had other medical jobs and they are just desperate and short staffed, that's on them for not training you properly. I had a horrible MA job experience and looked for other jobs and was honest about what was happening with the overworked and short staffed army like atmosphere and I got a new job within a week. Its understandable but I would resign in case they run your license in the future and see a termination. Sorry!

[rescueninja1987]

Definitely don't lie because then you will have to remember what you said. You don't want to slip up later and say " Oh yeah I worked at Blah Blah Whatever Medical Center and it was awful". I would just start actively looking for something else and be truthful about the circumstances; you were thrown to the wolves so you quit. Perfectly reasonable, and other hospitals in the area probably get people from your current facility jumping ship all the time. And it's always better to quit than to get fired. Best of luck!