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.

[icuCCRNurse]

I am so sorry that you are going through this. Becoming a brand new RN is difficult for most, but usually employees and management help you through the difficult time and it gets easier. I can definitely tell you that it'll get easier, but it takes time (way more than three months) depending on which dept you're in. I would consider looking for a different job before you are terminated. I went straight to ICU and it took a good two years of solid full time experience before I was comfortable with all of the procedures we do at the bedside and taking care of crashing patients. I also had wonderful co-workers to bounce ideas off of. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[chare]

[...]

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"

[...]

Actually, this is not correct. Although some employers opt to only provide this limited information, the are free ti provide any information that they wish, as long as it's fact.

[Lisacar130]

I see a lot of people recommend leaving the job on your resume. First, a background check will NOT show this job. Second, it will be a red flag to a potential new employer that you're leaving so soon. As a new grad, it will be hard as it is to find something. If it were me, I wouldn't think twice about leaving it off. Up to you though.

[RyzenRN, ASN, BSN, MSN]

If you can stay 1 year, that will open doors to a better job. That gives you that 1 year experience often required. If you just can't, and I totally understand if you can't, quit with 2 weeks notice. Always give 2 weeks. Never burn bridges if you can help it. But to answer your question, yes, you can simply not put that job on your resume. But then you also can't claim ANY experience.

Good luck

[TamaraFloridaRN]

Well said!