Quit during orientation

rob4546, BSN, MSN · Jun 14, 2015

What an opportunity you missed. When you applied for this job what did you think it would entail? I wont argue with you that being a tech is a hard job and I have great respect for the techs I have worked with, but even though you may be a nurse in the future doesn't change the fact that you will be required to do this type of work as well. I work in surgery and I clean patients often because we have no techs.

You say that you have done this and you need no more practice but I would beg to differ. You have not cleaned every type of patient in nursing school. You will range from cleaning patients that are severely morbidly obese to your 92 lb grandma with a recent hip replacement and find that each patient requires a different skill. At that time you will wish you had more experience.

The fact that you think that this type of work is beneath you is disrespectful to your coworkers (techs, CNAs, and nurses) and to the patient. I didn't want to make this post harsh but this topic pains me greatly. I think you will find out when you get your first nursing job that this attitude will not fly. You will have a fellow nurse preceptor (like me) that will not appreciate the attitude and react accordingly. I would venture to bet you will not work at this hospital again unless they forget that you worked there before and quit quickly.

Lâ™¡vER · Jun 14, 2015

the most supreme... I mean what else is there to even say.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Jun 14, 2015

You complained TWICE about the work environment being 'unsafe' - and never provided any evidence of that. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that you just do not want to work hard.

And that whole bit about "I already know how to do " ....wow. Just wow.

Red Kryptonite · Jun 14, 2015

You complained TWICE about the work environment being 'unsafe' - and never provided any evidence of that.

This. What was unsafe about it?

nlitened · Jun 14, 2015

As a CNA 15 patients is normal. And as a nurse, you will still be cleaning patients.

Sounds like someone needs a reality check!

Lâ™¡vER · Jun 14, 2015

15 patients! That was a great patient load when I was a cna.....

I hope you know things are not all butterflies and roses out here, and for what it's worth, a real life look into the health care system in your area, a chance to network, meet peers, build relationships, and show off all those skills you've mastered is what you've just lost. Not just some cna job.

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Jun 14, 2015

I am glad you quit. The nurses need an aide that recognizes the value in her job, and the patient(s) deserve someone committed to their well being.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jun 14, 2015

I recently quit this past week my 1st ever tech job as a Nursing student b/c i felt it was unsafe.

What was unsafe? Please provide examples.

I had to juggle up to 15 patients, some mentally unstable and some being total/complete care with not much help from the nurses/techs and unsupportive management.

....yes....you WERE hired as a care tech, correct? Total/complete care of patients, sometimes mentally unstable, is part of your job. Management isn't really there to support you, but honestly....you quit during ORIENTATION. How much of a chance did you give anyone?

I thought i'd be gaining valuable skills but all i did was clean patients for most of the day. This was something i was already taught in NS, so i dont need the additional practice. i felt like i was doing all the grunt work.

Maybe I'm missing something, but you were a student, NOT a nurse, correct? You were hired to be a care tech....and you were given duties APPROPRIATE for your level of ability. Not sure what "valuable skills" you'd expected to learn that you didn't learn in school already; as you said, you DID learn in school what you'd need to HOLD that job, and at that point....nothing more. You weren't valuable to the facility for anything more than what they hired you to do. Why would you think you were? Did they promise you a paid clinical rotation.....or a job as a tech? From what I can see, you made a COLOSSAL mistake, HUGE mistake in quitting because you felt you weren't learning "valuable skills". Had you proven yourself WORTH the nurses' time and attention, there's no doubt in my mind you WOULD HAVE learned a great deal. Certainly you were missing some of the reason you were THERE, as a care tech, and you MIGHT have learned the point of all that. Compassion, pride in care of another human being. But no....they weren't getting YOUR needs met fast enough....so...out the door you went!

The nurses were mainly charting and giving out meds, but they too seemed busy but their work is alot less physical.

I wonder how far into nursing school you are, if you don't understand what it is a nurse actually DOES...?

I was thinking of just working at my friends dads company as an administrative assistant until i graduate. It pays more and its a lot less work.

Now you're on to something. If you are looking for an easier job, a less physically-demanding job, and one that doesn't require you to take care of another person (let alone those who actually depend on you for quality care)....then yes, this IS the job you should take. And keep as a career.

...It was a nice hospital, id like to go back, but only as a nurse.

Oh, honestly, I don't think you should worry yourself over that. They aren't likely to take you back, really....not as a tech (you quit during orientation because it wasn't "good enough" for you).....and not as a nurse, because there will be MANY to choose from who have no such issues with total patient care and--you know--physical work.

Good luck with your new office job :)

caliotter3 · Jun 14, 2015

More food for thought: Many, many students and CNA/PCT, fight tooth and nail to get hired at an acute care hospital and can not get hired at all. One of the reasons they want to work in a hospital? To have their foot in the door for their first job as a licensed nurse. Not a small number of new nurses get their hospital jobs because they were noticed as excellent PCTs or CNAs while on the job in the hospital. You just walked away from your chance to show personnel at this hospital how good of an employee and healthcare worker you could have been. If you really want to be a nurse, please don't make this mistake again. Give yourself time to figure out the ins and outs of your next job!

jena5111, ASN, RN · Jun 14, 2015

OP--you were hired as a CNA. What job duties did you expect?

I just started my final semester of nursing school, and I realize/accept that I will have "physical" responsibilities as an RN (realized this fact from day one of clinical).

If I had an issue with that, I would have chosen another career path.

RNNPICU, BSN, RN · Jun 14, 2015

OP - working in a hospital is such hard work. When you started working, what was the expectation? When you have these summer experiences it isn't just a lab check-off that you pass or fail. Since you left during orientation, I imagine you are now on a do not rehire list, hopefully for your sake that it is not part of a large system as you could be on a much larger do not rehire list. Your leaving during orientation could have much larger consequences for your career in a negative way.

Good Luck to you in whatever you decide to do.

dreamer30 · Jun 14, 2015

what are my chances of ever working in that hospital again?
I recently quit this past week my 1st ever tech job as a Nursing student b/c i felt it was unsafe. I had to juggle up to 15 patients, some mentally unstable and some being total/complete care with not much help from the nurses/techs and unsupportive management. I thought i'd be gaining valuable skills but all i did was clean patients for most of the day. This was something i was already taught in NS, so i dont need the additional practice. i felt like i was doing all the grunt work. The nurses were mainly charting and giving out meds, but they too seemed busy but their work is alot less physical. I was thinking of just working at my friends dads company as an administrative assistant until i graduate. It pays more and its a lot less work....It was a nice hospital, id like to go back, but only as a nurse.

Forget all the mean post and bashing. At the end of the day this is what you felt and only you know your limits.

Same thing happened to me. I was a tech on a med/surg floor. First tech job... I lasted 7 months. Couldn't do it. Even as a tech my acuity was crazy and I was put with new nurse who depended on techs for everything. I told myself if this is nursing I don't want to be a part of it and I took a break. Worked in a lab for a bit. But I really missed patient care.

Long story short I got in on a specialty that I love. PEDS!!! When you love it you don't mind doing it. Just last night I had two total care kids. But I didn't mind. I just did my job because I love it.

My advice to you is fond a specialty that u want to go into. If u can work nights do it. More pay and sometimes less work. Days are crazy. On your interview ask abt teamwork and communication. Idk if u will ever get a hospital gig again but if you do choose wisely. Pay attention to what unit is hiring. I personaly stay away from ortho, neuro and general med/surg. Good luck!