pls help me make up my mind..

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Specializes in OB, Peds, Med Surg and Geriatric Nsg.

I am currently employed in a hospital which has an extension of an LTC facility for 2 months now. My orientation went fast and next thing I knew, I'm on my own. I am trying to get organized, get my speed for doing my med pass, charting, carrying out orders, calling MDs about changes, helping my aides put people to bed since their partner is on break, calling family about new orders and addressing their concerns, nurses nitpicking each other's work, serving dinner trays, doing wound treatments, etc. Doing this for 2 months, I come to realization that I hated the job itself. I have come to a conclusion that I am not happy. Life is short and I don't want to be miserable. I've been clocking out late for a month now and haven't took a single break since I was off orientation. Do I get written up for this?

Anyhow, my husband totally disagrees with my decision. He thinks that this a good opportunity for advancement since I can bid on another job in another department on my 6th month. But I can't stand being there for another day. Don't get me wrong, I love my residents. They always find time to thank me for all the things I've done. I always give them the attention they need even it compromises my med pass or getting everything done on time. But how come there is soo much things to do and so little time? I badly wanna quit, the only thing that is hindering that is my husband. I am being paid good and he thinks that I'm gonna regret it when I leave. I am not trying to be selfish, I just wanna be happy. I have been unemployed for a year before I took this job because I just moved here in the US and was busy trying to be a licensed nurse. I am not lazy and I don't mind working. I just wanna work on a less stressful environment. I think that my coping mechanisms are not doing me any good. I also came across a post about ADD/ADHD. I don't know if I have it. Since a lot of adults lived their lives undiagnosed. I found the ADD screening tool and it says I most likely have it. I have implusivity at times especially when I see something I like or wanna do. I'm inattentive when faced with stressful situations. My body is there sitting infront of you and seems like all the words they said went out straight on the other ear.

Please help me make up mind. Should I stick it out 'til my 6th month and be unhappy for the remaining days that I work there? Or should I give my 2-week notice now and move on without regrets? I'm sorry this is long..

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Specializes in CT stepdown, hospice, psych, ortho.

Why don't you job hunt and see if you can get an offer?

Maybe your husband would be more supportive if you had something else to go to when you left.

I'm sorry that you're having a rough time with the job. Just try and be grateful that you have something when so many people don't but I'd definitely start looking for another job asap.

PS Your husband must have never had a job where he's absolutely miserable. Having to dread going to work is a drag.

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

You don't get written up for working for free - - as in no breaks. Are you getting paid for the overtime - staying late? Have they counselled you about your time?

Are you the only nurse that stays late? What are you doing with that time - charting, finishing tasks, etc.

I know that working in these facilities is very difficult, and maybe you are still finding your way.

Do not quit unless you have someting else already lined up.

Best wishes.

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Specializes in OB, Peds, Med Surg and Geriatric Nsg.
You don't get written up for working for free - - as in no breaks. Are you getting paid for the overtime - staying late? Have they counselled you about your time?

Are you the only nurse that stays late? What are you doing with that time - charting, finishing tasks, etc.

I know that working in these facilities is very difficult, and maybe you are still finding your way.

Do not quit unless you have someting else already lined up.

Best wishes.

They haven't counselled me about leaving work late and I have no clue if I'm being paid OT since I don't have any copies of my pay stubs. You need to come to the admin's office to print them out.

Yes, I'm the only 2nd shift nurse that stays 'till midnight to get things done. Have tons of wound treatments to do and charting.

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Specializes in OB, Peds, Med Surg and Geriatric Nsg.
Why don't you job hunt and see if you can get an offer?

Maybe your husband would be more supportive if you had something else to go to when you left.

I'm sorry that you're having a rough time with the job. Just try and be grateful that you have something when so many people don't but I'd definitely start looking for another job asap.

PS Your husband must have never had a job where he's absolutely miserable. Having to dread going to work is a drag.

There are a lot of places that are hiring RNs near me. The only problem is I can't drive on my own yet since I only have a learner's permit. It's either we move closer to the place where I intend to work (which was what we did when I took this LTC job) or hire someone to drop me off work.

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Specializes in LTC/SNF, Psych, Primary Care and Triage.

Well, its not good to work in a job that you hate. I had a job in Texas that sounds just like you described. I ended up gaining weight (eating my stress) and developing a peptic ulcer. Yes, you have to put your health and sanity first, however, you should secure employment before jumping ship. What really helped me get my day organized, was a census. I went home and created a census sheet on my computer, with room #'s or last name. Included crushed, whole, or GT as far as the med pass goes. You could include anything you want on a census to help you organize your day. If you can't manage to get all of the things done on your shift, organize what needs to be done and leave it on your pass along.

I couldn't take the job that I had any longer, so I quit. I found that it was a good opportunity for me to quit and go back to RN school. Best of Luck.

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Specializes in OB, Peds, Med Surg and Geriatric Nsg.
Well, its not good to work in a job that you hate. I had a job in Texas that sounds just like you described. I ended up gaining weight (eating my stress) and developing a peptic ulcer. Yes, you have to put your health and sanity first, however, you should secure employment before jumping ship. What really helped me get my day organized, was a census. I went home and created a census sheet on my computer, with room #'s or last name. Included crushed, whole, or GT as far as the med pass goes. You could include anything you want on a census to help you organize your day. If you can't manage to get all of the things done on your shift, organize what needs to be done and leave it on your pass along.

I couldn't take the job that I had any longer, so I quit. I found that it was a good opportunity for me to quit and go back to RN school. Best of Luck.

I tried this before and I got counselled by a co-worker. Taking patient's info even if its just a room # to your house and entering it in your computer is a HIPAA violation. So, I immediately threw my copy away. I have no problems with the med pass, its the other responsibilities and tasks that you need to accomplish within your shift.

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You need to suck it up and stay. You don't have options since you don't drive and you have already moved to accommodate that and your new job.

Hang tough.

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I have been in a similar situation until now. I finally found something else and it is great. You have to be persistent and start looking now. Anything nearby that you can think of. Think outside the box too. Some of the best nursing jobs are not in LTC or hospitals. You are right. Life is too short to be miserable every day. It carries over to your home life as well. It is truly not worth it. We didnt become nurses to be abused and overworked but to help those that cant be helped. It sounds to me , your manager needs to do the quitting first! You are worth much more than that. Just make sure you have a back up before you quit since right now , you do have a paycheck and want to keep the paycheck coming. As far the husband, he is just being practical. I think if he knows you have something lined up, it will ease his concern.

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Specializes in Hospice.

It is unusual for me to give advise, but since it was asked for... here goes: Life is too short and we spend so much of it at work. Actively seek a job that will allow you to look back in 5 years and say to yourself, it was time not wasted. I am looking for a new position myself and am having a difficult time being patient, allowing an opportunity to develop. Follow your heart.:)

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Specializes in PACU, CARDIAC ICU, TRAUMA, SICU, LTC.

What is your husband's work situation? Is working part-time a viable alternative? If so, it would decrease your stress level, and would also provide you with the opportunity to look for another position.

Dreading going to work is just not healthy, IMO, and your misery will affect your personal life sooner or later..........

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Specializes in OB, Peds, Med Surg and Geriatric Nsg.

Thank you so much to all of your replies. I REALLY appreciate it! I'm working part-time right now and will be going on FT on June 14. I'm still undecided and this topic had been the constant root of our arguments. Does anybody know where I could get trainings like IV Therapy and Wound Care? I would love to be certified in these areas. I believe that this would look good in my resume. Right now, my only motivation to go to work is seeing and meeting different people and make their remaining days in life enjoyable knowing that I'm there to care for them.

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