Quitting job during orientation?

Wuzzie · Dec 16, 2016

Thanks everyone! I guess the only thing I can do is talk to the manager and be honest and see if there are any options available for me. I know with my husband gone mon-fri I can't pull 3 12s unless I find another childcare provider willing to keep my kids that late. I hate to switch sitters though because hey have only gone to this woman and I trust her with my kids. I will keep you all updated!

If your manager gets even an inkling that you're thinking of bailing she will likely let you go before you can finish your sentence. She isn't going to want to spend any more money orienting you. You need to figure out how to make this work or line up another job before quitting this one. It might be different if you weren't still on orientation. She's going to cut her losses and you're going to find yourself in a pickle.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 16, 2016

I just think that is ridiculous to have to stick out a job that I hate ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½, but I don't want to be non-rehirable.

But you TOOK the job. So there's that...

smartnurse1982 · Dec 16, 2016

I am going to go against the grain and say you if you know for sure that you do not like Med surg,you will be miserable in the job,and therefore your patients and colleagues will know because sooner or later it will show through.

Life is too short.

Maybe you might like Med Surg at a different hospital?

You are very lucky btw to even get hired into a Med-Surg position as a former Ltc nurse.

Most of the places in my area reject nurses that have worked in Ltc and Home Care for a number of years.

guest52816 · Dec 16, 2016

I quit my first nursing job just a few months ago during orientation. It took me a week to find another position.

You are on the right track by talking with your manager. I did that, and am eligible for rehire.

Yes, your manager won't want to spend money orientating a new nurse who wants to quit, so be prepared to leave as soon as you have the initial 'I want to quit' conversation. But your manager also doesn't want to keep a nurse who doesn't want to be part of the unit.

If you are gracious about your departure, they should be willing to let you leave while being eligible for rehire.

Everyone's situation is different, but nursing offers so many opportunities, there is no reason to stay stuck in a job you hate.

Wuzzie · Dec 16, 2016

I am going to go against the grain and say you if you know for sure that you do not like Med surg,you will be miserable in the job,and therefore your patients and colleagues will know because sooner or later it will show through.
Life is too short.
Maybe you might like Med Surg at a different hospital?
You are very lucky btw to even get hired into a Med-Surg position as a former Ltc nurse.
Most of the places in my area reject nurses that have worked in Ltc and Home Care for a number of years.

I think that's why we are telling her to be careful. She wants to do L&D. She'll never get there from an LTC job. Her only chance is going to be from an acute care position. I think it's highly unlikely she'll get another shot at a Med-Surg position if she bails on this one. Not only that but we all know orientation just plain sucks. We just don't want her to make a rash decision that has the very serious potential to impact her career for the long term without thinking it through rationally. But in the end, it's her life and she's free to make whatever decisions she wants.

canigraduate · Dec 16, 2016

If your manager gets even an inkling that you're thinking of bailing she will likely let you go before you can finish your sentence. She isn't going to want to spend any more money orienting you. You need to figure out how to make this work or line up another job before quitting this one. It might be different if you weren't still on orientation. She's going to cut her losses and you're going to find yourself in a pickle.

Yeah, what Wuzzie said. I was let go during orientation on the day they found out I would be moving. In the middle of a shift. It was very annoying.

AnnoyedNurse · Dec 16, 2016

You don't have to stick it out if you hate it and especially if it's having an impact on your life outside of work. Nurse managers want nurses who love their jobs as you will perform better. Most managers will appreciate your candor- just tell her it's the unit is not a good fit for such and such a reason and you are so grateful to be given this opportunity. And he direct: directly ask for a possibility of transferring to another area- focus on your strengths. They hired you because you have what it takes to be a nurse there- a lot of nurses are denied hospital jobs. I've seen personally nurses hate their jobs and nurse managers helping them get into another area- yes in orientation as well. Remember, this is your career and your life. You come first and you should be happy.

Skippingtowork · Dec 16, 2016

OP, it depends on the job market you're in. If there are lots of acute RN openings, you may have a better chance at transferring than if the market was depressed. Like others have said, you were quite lucky to get a med surg position from LTC. Orientation is often difficult and can be discouraging, but usually gets better. The manager had a need for full-time RN not a per diem, so asking to go once a week while you're still on orientation would not be very thoughtful. If you have compelling circumstances that changed your availability, you may be able to negotiate for another position. One question a manager may have (in her head) is "did your husband not know he was going to be travelling and do you not discuss this together?" If you only worked once a week, how will you get enough experience to be comfortable?

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need med surg to enter L&D, but I really would suggest it as it is a difficult area and competence is very important. Also, leaving during orientation will not automatically make you a no-rehire. You have to do it professionally. Do not waste the hospitals money and time if you plan to leave immediately. Think before you act. One may ask "if you have child care problems that is making you leave during orientation, what prevents those problems in the future and how will you handle it?" After orientation, you can certainly ask to do weekends, with one day to arrange for child care. Just a thought.

Wuzzie · Dec 16, 2016

OP, it depends on the job market you're in. If there are lots of acute RN openings, you may have a better chance at transferring than if the market was depressed. Like others have said, you were quite lucky to get a med surg position from LTC. Orientation is often difficult and can be discouraging, but usually gets better. The manager had a need for full-time RN not a per diem, so asking to go once a week while you're still on orientation would not be very thoughtful. If you have compelling circumstances that changed your availability, you may be able to negotiate for another position. One question a manager may have (in her head) is "did your husband not know he was going to be travelling and do you not discuss this together?" If you only worked once a week, how will you get enough experience to be comfortable?
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need med surg to enter L&D, but I really would suggest it as it is a difficult area and competence is very important. Also, leaving during orientation will not automatically make you a no-rehire. You have to do it professionally. Do not waste the hospitals money and time if you plan to leave immediately. Think before you act. One may ask "if you have child care problems that is making you leave during orientation, what prevents those problems in the future and how will you handle it?" After orientation, you can certainly ask to do weekends, with one day to arrange for child care. Just a thought.

It's true MS experience isn't necessarily needed to get into L&D but it's going to be easier than trying with only LTC experience for two reasons. First, it's acute care and second, it's easier to get a hospital job when you have a hospital job. Heck, it's easier to get a job when you have any kind of job. I fear what's going to happen is the OP is going to be let go immediately and then try to find another job while being unemployed. It will be extremely difficult to explain it without sending up red flags all over the place. Even the child care issue is going to make the hiring manager think twice unless she gets it figured out first. I'm still with the "stick it out it will get better" camp.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2016

Please be more specific about what it is that you don't like about the job you now have. Are there any issues that could be resolved in a positive way or do you think there really will not be a good resolution possible for any of the things you don't like on this job?

If you work at all, you have to get your child care issues resolved, right? You need at least one back-up plan, in addition to your primary plan in this area.

Do you know if there are any part-time openings at your current facility, with your current manager?

While your manager might not be thrilled to lose you, she will probably be glad to lose you sooner rather than later.

I have no real answer, just am trying to help you think it through. Best wishes, let us know what you decide. I think you will come up with a good answer.

SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS · Dec 16, 2016

â€¦ my husband just found out that starting in Jan he will be traveling again with work and gone mon-fri. We have 4 kids and it's always pretty hard when he's gone mon-fri. Working the 12s I usually don't get home until 8:30-9pm and then in home chilcare provider I'm using is not able to keep my kids that late. SO that is something that was really unexpected! ... But other than that I just don't like the unit, I'm just uncomfortable, I hate the drive. There are things I was unaware of before I took the position! I just don't know what to do!

How did you not know that you would hate the drive ahead of time? Commute length, time, and stress are usually a huge consideration before taking a new job. It bothers some more than others.

One question a manager may have (in her head) is "did your husband not know he was going to be travelling and do you not discuss this together?"

Why is it your responsibility to ensure your hours are conducive to child care, and not your husband's?

chiromed0 · Dec 16, 2016

I'd say stay and suck it up. If it's your first hospital gig then it's almost a rite of passage that most people work med/surg. It sucks-I've met very few that loved it but they are there. You do see a variety and get worked to death, that's the usual. On the good side you see and know how to manage a co-morbid pt. It's seldom someone just has one thing wrong on a med/surg unit. Do your year and then move on-unless you can get into where you want at 6 months. I've yet to have a single job since I was a kid that I just loved from the start--even now. Time and experience will help calm you in this position. Be patient.