luvapug

Years ago when I was hired as a school nurse I only had one year of nursing experience and NO training other than on policies in a boardroom. My first day of school they didn't have my office ready so I had to sit in the main office beside a filing cabinet and take care of a few student files and treat a couple kids but basically didn't have much to do that day and was afraid I was going to get into trouble for not doing enough! (It did pick up.)Anyway, you'll learn as you go and it's doable as long as you have someone to call with questions that will crop up. You'll most likely have lots of kids coming in that complain of headaches, stomachaches, sprains, etc. that you'll have to determine if they can stay in school or if you need to call someone to pick them up and any special procedures like giving meds, blood glucose checks etc. You will learn who the frequent complainers are and the things to do that just make a kid feel better so they can stay like ice and bandaids. If there is a true emergency you just have to keep them stable until 911 or their parent arrives. All the other things like screenings, training other staff, care plans, medicaid billing, etc you have to fit in there but you can take your time learning it. School nursing is a lot more laid back and a different pace than you're probably used to. You have to re-route your brain that you are in an educational setting and not a medical setting. In an ideal world you would get a couple weeks training just to get more confident but it will still take a good year or two to feel like you've got it down and after that you just know who to call to figure out the rest. It is a very independent type of nursing which I love and you may too once you're used to it.

Well thanks for all the good advice and for helping me see that trach suctioning is not the worst thing out there for me by far!

Trach suctioning has always made me very queezy. I've never been good with sputum. The whole airway thing makes me extremely nervous too. However, I'm wondering if this is something I can become desensitized to if I do it often enough. Has anyone else felt the same way and gotten over it?

Has anyone had to suction a student with a trach regularly? Our school district is needing a nurse that will stay with a 4 yr old student and suction him every 15-30 minutes the whole time he is at school. I don't have hardly any experience in dealing with trachs but they will train the nurse. It's so different from any type of school nursing I've ever done and I'm worried about not only taking care of the suctioning but getting bored just sitting with one student all day long. However, it might be easy and interesting-I just don't know. In the past I've always been intimidated by trachs and hearing the secretions rattle around have made me queezy but I'm hoping that is something easy to over-come. What are some of the challenges I might expect? Do you think I should take this on or pass?

So sorry I ever posted this question! I didn't realize I would be considered decietful for not being sure how to give a notice. I have NOT had my foot out the door for some time like someone suggested. I was trying very hard to make it work esp considering when I was hired I was told several things that ended up not being true. I was trying to see if I could make it work despite all those things and in the end decided I couldn't. If the hospital hadn't sugar-coated and flat out misrepresented themselves I would never have quit. Secondly, even though I'm going back to a job without benefits, I needed to be put on my husband's benefits so yes I'm avoiding a lapse in medical coverage. Thirdly, I did go ahead and quit the same day I decided for sure that's what I was going to do (I was still wavering the night before). I just wasn't sure how long they would make me stay there after deciding and what the proper procedure was. That's all I was wondering with my original question and for some people to turn this into an ethical/moral dilema is ridiculous. Thanks to those who understood what I was trying to do and to those who didn't...whatever.

This job I just quit WAS the other side and no it wasn't any greener which is why I'm going back. I don't regret trying though because now I know what I'm not missing.

Thanks guys!

I didn't realize this would get so much controversy or that two to three days would make that much difference to some people. Thanks to those who had helpful advice. I did go ahead and show up this morning and caught the manager first thing and told her I was resigning. She was very gracious and asked me to go clock in, change into scrubs, and work until she talked to Human Resources. Later she told me I could find another job in the hospital if I wanted or go ahead and go. Human Resources really wanted me to stay two more weeks to follow hospital policy. I left it up to them to figure out. In the end they decided to let me go if I wanted. If I hadn't wanted to they would've let me go ahead and work two more weeks even though I'm in orientation. They said I could come back and re-apply anytime and I would be eligible for re-hire. I wasn't trying to be unethical or immoral. I was trying to make sure my family wasn't left out in the cold. When most people quit a job, a two week period of working is guaranteed before they start a new job and I didn't have that guarantee.I found out my insurance is paid up through the end of the month so I didn't have to worry about that and apparently the hospital wasn't as worried as some of the people here that I was robbing them since they asked me to clock in and work and left if up to me when I left. I know it didn't make perfect sense to keep me on but it did to them since I was still a big help to the staff even though I'm technically in orientation. I'm just glad it went well and it's done.

Yes, I want them to pay me through Friday because I need the money and insurance through them until my new insurance kicks in. Sorry-that's the way it is. I think it would be more rude and unprofessional to let them finish paying for my orientation (3 more months) and then say I'm leaving. I'm quitting because I found a better job and when they hired me they told me several things that I've since learned was not true and will not work for me. I just wanted to hear from people who actually went through this, not to be judged on my decision. Thank you CrunchRN for your help.

I'm getting ready to resign and will give the standard two week notice but just wondered how much of a chance I had of them making me actually work those two weeks since I'm still in orientation. I know it really woudn't make sense to me but maybe they would have a reason. I just wondered how quickly they released you once you resign. Also, I want to resign on Friday. Do I show up for work as usual, clock in, change into scrubs, then find the manager? Do I just walk in and hand it to her first thing without doing all the above? Should I work all day then find her? Should I find her Thurs afternoon at the end of the shift and tell her? I just don't know what the proper way to handle this is. Which way would make the most sense? Also what if she's not there? We don't have a second in charge-would I just go to Human Resources? Sometimes she's just out for the day with no notice. Thanks for any help.

You should've said "you're right-I make twice as much as you doing a job that anyone can do-looks like I'm the smart one!" and walked away. It always shocks people when you agree with them esp when it's ludicrous. She sure couldn't do your job because she doesn't have the training for it (which is much harder than scrub tech school). She's just being ignorant and insecure. It always shocks me when someone says or does something so mean. Hang in there!

One shadow day I did I stayed for 8 hrs (I was given the choice of 4 or 8 hrs) and one where they asked me to stay for an hour right after my interview so I stayed for about 2 hrs. I would stay as long as they let you. It does show you're interested in learning but it's also good to listen in and see how the staff feels (are they complaining?, about what?, do they seem to enjoy their jobs?, etc.) I turned down a job because I figured if the staff complained that much around someone applying for the job then they either didn't care whether they got new people, it had a whole set of problems I wasn't ready for,or they felt comfortable enough around me to vent their true feelings. I didn't want to be around co-workers so negative and and I didn't want to work for a place that had so much to complain about. Also, if they are asking you to shadow they do think you may be a good fit for them so in order to stand out from other applicants act friendly, confident, and enthusiastic and definately stay as long as they let you. It would be sad if you didn't get the job but at least that way you know you gave it all you had. Good luck! Sounds like a good move for you! Hope it works out!

Thanks for the good advice! Yes I have spoken to my old boss and I do have a job there so that's another reason I'm anxious to leave but I will follow hospital protocol. I did talk to the manager about some concerns I was having regarding the orientation and nothing changed. Other people have voiced concerns over problems as well but they say they get nowhere as well so I shouldn't be suprised I guess.

Ok so I took a new job with better pay/benefits and to try something new. However, I've only made it three months into a six month orientation. All my new co-workers are excited to have me and can't wait until I'm off orientation (I'm sure to decrease their call load and work load) but I have been getting good reviews and seem to fit in well. The problem is it's not for me. It's much more stressful than I realized it would be and I realized the grass is not always greener. I prefer my old job and my former boss said I could come back anytime. I don't know how to go about resigning. It will take my husband a month of paying into his insurance to get me and our kids back on his plan. I'm supposed to give a four week notice since I've been there slightly longer than 90 days. I'm afraid to turn in a resignation just yet in case they tell me they don't want to hold me to the 4 week notice since I'm still in orientation. However, I really don't want to work an extra month either, in case they do want me to wait. What do you think the odds are of them holding me to the 4 week resignation? Also I'm not sure what reason to give. I can't just say I hate the politics here and the stress which is how I really feel. I'm sure they're going to try and talk me into staying because they need people so bad. I don't see me going back to work at that facility but you never know and I don't really want to burn any bridges. Do you think they would even consider re-hiring me if I left during orientation? I want to leave on good terms because I do appreciate the chance they gave me. Thanks for any advice!

The only rotation I even liked when I went through nursing school was L&D and it was because I loved babies and the "happy" area. Once I graduated and ended up in L&D it was the most stressful experience of my life but also the most exciting. I loved it but couldn't handle all the stress. We were short-staffed to the point of dangerous, constantly being forced to work over, and worse the fact that moms and babies can go downhill in a heartbeat. It's not all happy times with stillbirths for no evident reason, crack-addicted babies,cases of incest, moms on welfare with 6 other kids and couldn't care less about another one, moms trying for years and having miscarriages, etc. The nice families with healthy babies were wonderful to work with but sadly that's no longer the norm.

I decided to look for another job with more hours and benefits than I was getting in a school and was called in for an interview at a surgery center. The supervisor interviewing me basically said this is what the job entails-do you want it which suprised me a little since usually they ask you lots of questions. Anyway, I was told I would work 5 days a pay period which is what I wanted and that I could pick which days I wanted to work. The job is straight days and I was told I wouldn't have to worry about working over because they had evening shift nurses and wouldn't have to work weekends because they have weekend nurses. I wouldn't have to take call but maybe once a year and work a holiday only once every two years. I was also told the doctors were all great to work with and were nice to the staff. I was told orientation would last six months and I wouldn't be expected to work by myself the entire time or be counted as staff until it was over so any day I needed off I could have. Well I've been there for 3 months so far and have since found out that most of what I told was not true. I'll be expected to work 8 days a pay period, will have to work over every week (sometimes twice), will have to take call every couple of months, and have already been yelled at and belittled by some of the doctors. Some of the people working there are very nice and supportive but most constantly complain and several will throw you under the bus in a heartbeat to save their own rear. I've already been expected to do things I haven't been trained for or feel comfortable with and even had to work a couple cases by myself even though I'd only been in that room one other time and hadn't even been trained in that area yet. I was a nervous wreck. Also I've asked for two days off and the first I was told yes but if you weren't in orientation then no you wouldn't get it (so much for my own scheduling) and the second time was told there were already a bunch of nurses off so ask another day. I'm not even supposed to be counted! My orientation has been crazy working with different preceptors all the time so I'm always getting corrected on not doing it the right way (aka "their way") but I can't remember who does what which way. I had brought up several of these issues with the supervisors only to have them say that is not right and then nothing changes. I don't want to keep working here. I can't handle the stress and the longer I work there the worse it gets. I can get my old job back and even though it's less money, it's a lot less stress. Since I'm still in orientation do I have to give a two weeks notice? What reason do I say for leaving that sounds professional? Or should I finish the orientation and hope it gets better (which is going to end up being closer to nine months)?

Do you think three months out of a six month orientation is long enough to decide if you like a job? It started out great but the longer I go the less I like it. Also several things that were told to me during the interview like work schedule, call outs, working over, etc were not true. I should've known if something sounds too good to be true it probably is but I was very hopeful. They way it is (instead of the way it was portrayed) will not work well with my family schedule once I'm out of orientation. I don't want to burn any bridges though. Is it better to stick in there and finish the orientation and just see or would it fare better to tell them this isn't working for me and move on? I don't know which decision would be best-I don't want to make the employer mad because I do appreciate them giving me a chance. If I do finish the orientation and decide I still don't like it do you think they would let me go per diem? I just keep hoping the longer I do it the more I'll like it but it seems the opposite is happening. I just don't know what to do. Thanks for any insight!

Unfortunately at our facility they don't let RN's train to scrub in anymore-that's all done by scrub tech's they hire fresh out of scrub tech school. I think it would help so much to actually learn the scrub role as well to actually have a better idea of what type of instrument may help when a surgeon is having trouble, to get to actually see first-hand the surgeries and steps better, to get more variety of roles, etc. We've all said we wish they would let us do that but they won't because it's cheaper to pay a scrub tech to do that than an RN. I would think due to the importance of what a scrub tech does they should either pay better or let RN's perform that role.

Wow that sounds great! I like the potential for growth and being part of an important team. Thanks for the reply!

I also don't know of any NP's who work in the OR. If you did go the OR route however you would get to meet and work with a lot of surgeons and possibly find one that would hire you in their office when you graduated to help see patients and that sort of thing. You may get to help assist with a surgery with that dr occasionally if you have experience but usually it's a PA they have help them (or just the regular OR staff). Most NP's work in dr's offices or clinics because that's where the doctors need help-they already have people who help them do surgery in the OR. Not sure the cardiac step-down would help you any further with that career goal unless you were planning on getting hired by a cardiac surgeon because you really liked that specialty. If that's the case go with the cardiac step-down but if you don't have a preference I'd do the OR and use the networking with the doctor's you'll be working with the hopefully open a door.

Thanks! I think I'm going to stick it out. I think it's just the particular serve I'm in right now that is very trying. We have some difficult surgeons to work with in this area. There have been some days I'm in other areas and I can see what it can be like. I had to go back to my first serve one day as well and I realized all I had learned since I'd moved on and it was a nice feeling to actually feel like I was a help instead of a hinderance. I guess I just need to be patient and hang in there longer.

Thank you so much! It's good to hear from those who have been there! I'm glad to know it will get better. Thanks for the good advice as well-I will remember it!

I was hired as a circulator in May. I was very over-whelmed at first but by the end of the first serve I was finding it all a little mundane-the excitement has worn off. Now I'm almost finished with my third serve and as time goes on I find myself liking it less and less each day. I'm to the point where I can't wait for breaks and to go home and for the weekends. If I continue my orientation it's going to take me another five months at least. I know people say it takes a year to feel comfortable. I can see that but what I'm looking at is even after I'm comfortable I'm not sure if I'll still enjoy being a glorified gopher which is what it feels like. Should I just quit now so they can find someone else or should I stick it out to see if I'll eventually like it? Is three and a half months long enough to know whether this is for me?

Which job would you choose? Job #1: No benefits, less pay, less stress, less travel time, less challenging, less potential for growth, more time off, better hours, more family friendly, no other medical people in building, no weekends, nights, call, or holidays; can get boring, not guaranteed hours each pay period,more autonomy.Can change to full time with benefits if one of the other nurses leaves or a need is created. Job #2: More pay, full benefits, very stressful and nerve-wracking, longer commute, very challenging, potential for growth, difficult to get time off, on call 24-7, work days but will have to work over each week up to 16 hrs, weekends and holidays off unless on call, work with difficult surgeons who like to verbally degrade you I realize I am very lucky to have my choice and I have done both jobs. My husband likes the extra money and benefits but I hate the extra stress and less family time. It's more important to me to have less stress and be more available to my family (I have three kids) but it will require more of a financial sacrafice on our part which could cause stress. My husband's benefits cost much more. Should I stick it out with job #2 longer (it's been four months) or go back to job #1 where they said I was welcome? I left the first job because I wanted more excitement and to get to use more of my nursing skills and for more money. However, I'm starting to realize it has a price and the excitement has worn off. Now my husband is loving the extra money but I'm not happy. I could stick with job 2 and bid out in another few months but there's no area that would be more family friendly than job # 1.What do you think? Is it selfish of me to leave a job with more financial security to be there for my family or is it better to be able to provide better financially for my family?

Thank you for your post! I just needed some encouragement to know that it would get better so I appreciate you letting me know that!