should i quit?

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i have just been working for 3 weeks as new grad lvn in a nursing home.

and i want to quit because...

  • i feel exhausted and worn out everyday.
  • i dont get to use the bathroom eat or drink for 8 hrs because to the workload, ill get behind if i take a break so i pretty much clock out for break but work through it, coz technically nobody is covering you during break.
  • i stay extra 2-4 hrs unpaid overtime just to finish my unending paperworks.
  • just after work 3 weeks, my bp had dropped and i lost incredible amount of weight and i think i have uti now coz my side really hurts constantly for a more than a week now.
  • i dont get benefits because im on call, but get called all the time.

i want to stay because...

  • i dont want the one who got me the job look bad.
  • my parents cant find work so i need a way to support them along with my sister.
  • the pay is great but if i compute my salary with the actually hrs i work, its minimum pay.
  • economy is bad, and ill look bad in my resume to quit so early

with is in mind should i quit? in you opinion.

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Don't quit. However, continue to look for something that might be better for you.

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thanks for the comment. i pray i get a better job even if it pays less

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Jobs come and go but your health and mental well-being stays with you forever. With that being said, as a new nurse it does take awhile to "get into the swing of things". However, if you are that unhappy please don't quit until you have something else lined up. Especially with the points that you listed in the reasons to stay. Good luck in your decision.

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.

That sounds pretty much like the way it is when you first start LTC. However, I believe it is illegal for them to expect you to work hours without getting paid. I'd look into that with HR. It will get easier and once you get to know the residents (or if you are a floater, the shortcuts) the job will be streamlined. Some LTC's are better than others, though, if you can possibly stick it out a while while searching for a new job, that may be best. Don't neglect your health, though, force yourself to take bathroom breaks and at least a few minutes to eat. Have the other nurses been trying to help you stay above water? Who do you report to? That person should be taking an interest in the care you have been providing, if not the work experience you are having.

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Don't work off the clock! If you have to stay late to finish paper work then you should be paid for that time. That being said, 3 weeks isn't long enough to acclimate yourself to LTC. How are your coworkers coping? Are they staying an extra 2-4 hours after their shift? If they are able to leave at a reasonable time then you probably will too once you're in the swing of things. I've been working in LTC for over a year now and I still don't take a break some days. However, on most days I leave at a reasonable time and at least take a break to eat. LTC isn't easy but it does get better.

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they do help me out when im lagging behind but they too are busy. they tell me to take a break, there is really no one that will continue the work, so i had to just do it or ill be more stressed and late. when i get to take a break, ill just be called and asked to do something. so i end up just working. and i cant seem to find the appetite anymore when i know i have tons to do. onetime i even bursted, i cried, i cant control it anymore, coz i was so exhausted and realized i have a lot of paperworks to go.

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most of them stay, an mostly unpaid. most of them dont go on breaks either. only those that had work for years there are able to get finish on time and the nightshifts. i feel that its not worth the money they pay me. coz even after i get home i feel miserable.

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Hmm. Well, Pyocola that's a tough call. On the one hand, it's a physical challenge for you, but on the other, you have some very good reasons to stay. I'm but a lowly CNA (been at my LTC for just a bit over 1 week - and, like you on call) but I can tell you this - I flat refuse to quit, and here's why:

  1. I'm still learning the ropes as a CNA. It's not that the work requires huge amounts of brains, but you do have to do quite a bit of time management, and that comes with practice. Quitting means I don't get that practice.
  2. I was VERY impressed with my co-workers today. Once the DON figured out that we were short-staffed, with a newbie on the unit trying to handle 35 pts on the day shift by himself, CNA's & RNA's started coming out of the woodwork to help. Even had a charge nurse come in ON HER DAY OFF, WITHOUT PAY to help. Good luck finding THAT kind of dedication in ANY other line of work - spent 23 years in IT and NEVER saw anything like it.
  3. Even though by the end of the shift I feel like I've been showering in my scrubs (and in some cases I have been), there's a lot to be said for the kindliness & supportiveness of, not just my co-workers, but the pts as well. Again, IT's a real meat-grinder by comparison - the number of "attaboys" I got in that field in almost a quarter of a century I can count on the fingers of one hand.

Couple of things I'd like to point out:

  1. Being on-call, except for your regularly scheduled days the rest of your time is VOLUNTARY. For Pete's sake take some time off if you need it! In fact, I'd recommend picking a couple of days per week (or more) as "don't call me" days & tell whoever's doing your scheduling not to call on those days. Not necessarily for the rest of time, but certainly for the first month or two.
  2. Treat this as a learning experience. No, you're not going to be letter perfect - you co-workers & managers know this. Believe me - taking that first job & milking it for all the experience you can get out of it will pay BIG, BIG dividends further down the road. If you can handle 6 months to a year of LTC work, any other line of nursing work's going to be a breeze by comparison. It's the front lines of the medical profession - and, it's do-able. Ask your co-workers for advice, and FOLLOW it.

Whether you can tough it out where you are or not is really up to you - it's an individual call, and you know your abilities & circumstances far better than I do. Certainly you can try another LTC, and it may be a little easier; but, being able to say NO once in awhile just might end up serving you better in the long run.

Something to think about. In any case, the very best of luck to you whatever you decide.

Take care,

CNA Dave

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Start setting boundaries before you burn out. Breaks are important. And if you are on call, accept less shifts. Your own health has to come first. I work LTC, so I know how stressful it gets. Still, your own health needs to be a priority.

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I worked various form of LTC during my first five years as a LPN. You definitely need to set "NOT Available" days out with your scheduling office.

You are legally entitled to breaks. Take them. Finish your first med pass and go to the toilet. Finish the next set of tasks and take a break. There are other people there to toilet, etc.

You are one person and until you set your self as your priority they will continue to use you in the workplace.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

People should not be coming in and working off the clock. If you are injured working off the clock, you may have difficulty getting workman's mop. If you make an error off the clock, you could find yourself in trouble with the BON and could be at risk for being sued. Coming in on a day off isn't dedication...it's being taken advantage of. The Labor Board would be very interested in hearing about this.

You need to take breaks; you'll burn out really fast that way. I would start looking for a job elsewhere immediately.

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