Quit or get fired?

[GGCC]

I find myself at my first job on a unit where constant complaining and talking behind each other's backs is the norm. I have tried to resist joining in because I don't want to get caught up in the negativity.

After being on orientation for four out of twelve weeks, (and working under SIX different preceptors, due to schedule issues), I'm being told I have great skills but concescending attutude - no specifics.

I'm shocked because I thought everything was fine. Everyone is nice to my face, but I guess they are talking trash about me.

Is it better to quit this soon or possibly be told it's not a good fit during the next eight weeks? How will it effect my chances of getting another job either way?

[GGCC]

But what should I say in a cover letter or application?

[guillermo5000]

Be careful about what "everybody" says. "Everybody" probably does not include every member of the staff-probably a couple of nurses with attitude problems.

Don't be too quick to judge were you work until you know who you are dealing with, and who you can turn to and who you should avoid.

There could be one or two persons who are troublemakers and the rest of the staff could be supportive and helpful.

My general rule is never quit a job without another one lined up unless you are being mistreated(more than snide remarks here), or are being pushed into unsafe practice.

DITTO!

[caliotter3]

In a cover letter or application say that you left to pursue better opportunities or to find a better fit if it comes down to that. See how long you can stick it out before you make your final decision though. I tend to agree that since you are in an orientation period you might want to leave this place off your application altogether. That is a decision that you have to think about though. Once you have finished the orientation period of twelve weeks, you will have been there long enough that you shouldn't leave it off your resume.

[DeLana_RN, BSN, RN]

this is my point exactly.

because she has already received vague complaints of being condescending, w/o offering specifics, it sounds like she doesn't 'fit in' and even could potentially create problems....according to their (very warped) perceptions.

again, it sounds like it may be grossly lacking integrity and any means of genuine encouragement.

if they were honestly trying to be sincere, they would have provided her with examples.

i've seen this too many times, and it usually means trouble for the employee.

get.out.now.

or they'll make meat out of you.

been there, seen it, too many times.

leslie

I have to agree with Leslie here, I smell a rat. Why? It happened to me. First job, oncology unit, head nurse had a bad reputation, but I was so naive. I thought just doing my job as well as I could and being nice to everyone would be enough. It wasn't, and won't be.

I had to share a preceptor, who taught very little, with 2 other orientees (one was another new grad). After the 6 weeks standard orientation, mine was extended because "I needed further training" (the other new grad's mother was a friend of the head nurse. Enough said). My new "preceptor" was an LPN (actually, my training consisted of increasing the pt load by one each week; that was basically all). I noticed malicious gossip (the head nurse called the four black nurses on the unit the "quadruplets" when she badmouthed them - one of them was my new preceptor; she made fun of pts and families behind their backs after first smiling and making small talk, etc. etc. Other nurses were also vicious backstabbers). The LPN I was with was supportive, but too intimidated to warn me to get ouf of there while the getting was good. Here I was, a new grad with a BSN magna cum laude, and failing at my very first job was simply not an option; so I foolishly thought.

At the end of 11 weeks, I noticed my name wasn't on the new schedule; still, I didn't see what was coming. I was asked into the head nurse's office and presented with an evaluation full of lies which bascially made me look like an incompetent nurse (ex.: I took too long to program the PCA pump, made too many med errors, etc). Then she told me I had better resign before she fired me. I was flabbergasted, to say the least. And that wasn't all. She even said that I should get out of acute care, maybe work in a doctors office. When I asked about a transfer to another unit, she said that would not be possible. I suspect she blacklisted me since I wasn't able to even apply for another job in this hospital the two times that I tried in the next two years (I got an unsigned form letter that stated they didn't need any nurses - when about 50 open nursing positions were advertised in the paper).

Needless to say, I was devastated. Looking back - this was 10 years ago - I should have heeded the signs. Please don't make the same mistake. Yours sounds like a toxic unit you don't want to work in, and they're sending you signals you shouldn't ignore.

BTW, I had no difficulty getting another job as soon as I applied for it - in acute care, PCU/med-tele. My new manager thought highly of me. No one will question a new grad who finds that the first job is not a good fit (and the same is true for experienced nurses).

Best of luck to you,

DeLana

P.S. I now work for the same hospital again - it's under new management, the malicious head nurse was fired long ago. And no, it's not in oncology - I'm still too traumatized by the experience so long ago. (I'm in dialysis.)

[medsurgrnco, BSN, RN]

Talk to the nurse manager to see if you can have a consistent RN preceptor and ask for specifics about any complaints about your performance, in an attitude of wanting to learn and improve. Try to hang in there a little longer as many units do have a very negative environment and the additional experience will help you greatly in your next position. The RN retention rate for the first year of nursing is approx 50% so don't worry about how it will look when applying for new positions. Good luck to you!

[GGCC]

I would like to explain more, but want to remain anonymous.

I'm dreading going back in feeling like the job itself is so hard - always learning something new (and often a different way, because I'll have a different preceptor) - to also have to constantly watch my back (for what, I don't really know) - it just makes me feel sick.

If I go to the manager, I'm afraid I will say too much. I don't think it's a good idea to tell her about all the negativity and trash talk I hear because she basically thinks she has a cohesive unit. I don't think she'll be open to it. I don't think she'll like hearing any criticism of my main preceptor, either. (Which would be that I need a more positive attitude from her, with suggestions, not just criticisms).

I'm looking elsewhere in the meantime, but all the posted jobs seem to want 1-2 years experience. I'm think that in the spring there may be more internships open.

Very grateful for all the input...

[SDS_RN, RN]

The facility I work for has it's issues w/ orientation also. I've worked in 2 diff areas their now and they orient the same way. You go w/ a diff nurse almost every shift, you get diff answers on how to handle diff situations from all of them, they all do charting, pt cares, ect differently and it's hard to find where you fit and how you want to do things on your own. I've been their more than once in these last 2 yrs and I understand how frustrating it is and how you start to wonder if you're ever going to get it.

On the first unit I worked on the old manager also did not do anything to address the backstabbing and undercutting but then we got a new manager and she really listened to peoples concerns and was trying to change the unit for the better. I really liked her then I xfered to the ED. The manager their is on a power trip constantly and the staff work amongst themselves as much as possible to keep her uninvolved.

I would still try to voice my concerns to your manager first and if she does nothing or puts the blame on you then I would seek employment elsewhere. Best of luck to you.

[joannep]

I understand you reluctance to speak to your manager. Do you think it would help to write down what you would like to discuss with her, so that you won't feel panicked when talking to her? Do you feel that you need a support person with you at the meeting to keep the meeting productive and not destructive?

[GGCC]

Just an update:

The manager came to me and offerred a new preceptor, with no explanation.

Things are going much better now.

[BrokenRNheart]

Leave. Once they start you will be under constant stress and never get anything but negative feedback.

The truth is that this is coming from backstabbing which will not go away. It is present on the unit, it was there before you started, probably the reason there was an open spot and it will be there when you leave.

Break away clean before you are tainted. Give your 2 week notice before they ban you from working there. There are other jobs and your slate is clean. This is how it starts and you will end up very stressed and beaten down.

Good luck. Your slate is clean. Keep it that way.

There is nothing worse than people complaining and then tattling that someone else is. It just sickens me.

You are a nurse now. You have experienced one of the first hardships. Next job, do NOT get involved no matter what. It might not guarantee you a better environment but it's a start.

Can you all imagine if we had videos and audios to share?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

At the end of 11 weeks, I noticed my name wasn't on the new schedule; still, I didn't see what was coming.

That happened to me. I DID see it coming, although no one would be decent enough to sit down with me and talk about it.

I was told that I didn't "fit in."

The first place that fired me has hired me back in an IT role. I love it, although I miss the interaction with patients.

[BrokenRNheart]

That happened to me. I DID see it coming, although no one would be decent enough to sit down with me and talk about it.

I was told that I didn't "fit in."

The first place that fired me has hired me back in an IT role. I love it, although I miss the interaction with patients.

Lucky you. Awesome!!

I love that "didn't fit in" thing. Am I here to fit in or do my job? If fitting in is the case, let the nurses that run the unit find new staff and don't let the hospital waste anyone's time by bringing them into that unit to be kicked down. If fitting in is what they want, don't advertise, don't recruit. Instead, put an ad that says we are looking for nurses to fit in and then let them meet with all the staff, go to the bar with them, go out to dinner, have them over and see if it's a fit.

PLEASE!