Quitting job

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Would you stay at a job you are completely unhappy at? I made a mistake and signed a contract and am miserable at my job. I have been there less than a year and it's my first job as an RN. The job has multiple call-ins, staffing ratios are unsafe with high acuity, no one gets breaks. Nurses are expected to take 1-2 intubated patients per day, a ROSC and traumas, plus 3 other assigned rooms. Not to mention take these patients to CT, no one accounts for the time you have to spend with them there. I realize I am going to owe the company money due to my contract which I am not happy about, but I can't stand the thought of going back to this job. I regret taking this job. 

As I've stated, I do have a job lined up, but I feel like I failed if I quit. On the other hand, if they had great staffing, if nurses aren't overloaded and you aren't looked at as someone who is just filling space, I would finish out my contract. Any thoughts? What would you do? 

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Couple things to keep in mind;

  • This might burn bridges but if you have no need to return to this facility anytime soon, that might be OK. You can quit on not burn bridges but this will take careful communication. 
  • There is absolutely no need to "prove" yourself. If you are not happy, move on. 
  • Professionalism applied to both you and the company. Business is business. If you keeled over dead you would be immediately replaced before livor mortis even set in. Don't feel bad about moving on if you find a better opportunity. Loyalty to employers was a thing during the days of pensions but not now. 
  • Personally I try to stay for 1 year at an employer as it looks better on a resume but if you can stay for the next employer for some time this is a non-issue. Again careful communication can spin this in a positive light, "growing skillset...looking for greater challenges...etc"
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Employers are no longer loyal to their employees. How can they sleep at night knowing the patients are not getting good care? MBA's swear up and down there is adequate staffing  for their company but they aren't nurses or doctors. They've never been responsible for an intubated patient. They've never been responsible for a trauama1 patient. They've never done an RSI  and had to be responsible for the meds given, with 4 other patients. 

Just venting. 

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delrionurse said:

Would you stay at a job you are completely unhappy at? I made a mistake and signed a contract and am miserable at my job. I have been there less than a year and it's my first job as an RN. The job has multiple call-ins, staffing ratios are unsafe with high acuity, no one gets breaks. Nurses are expected to take 1-2 intubated patients per day, a ROSC and traumas, plus 3 other assigned rooms. Not to mention take these patients to CT, no one accounts for the time you have to spend with them there. I realize I am going to owe the company money due to my contract which I am not happy about, but I can't stand the thought of going back to this job. I regret taking this job. 

As I've stated, I do have a job lined up, but I feel like I failed if I quit. On the other hand, if they had great staffing, if nurses aren't overloaded and you aren't looked at as someone who is just filling space, I would finish out my contract. Any thoughts? What would you do? 

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No job is worth misery! It sounds like a very unsafe environment for both your patients and your license. Employers are not loyal, and if the worst happens, your employer will throw you straight under the bus and keep on going (remember how Vanderbilt did RaDonda Vaught). It sucks to pay back the money, but it will be worth it for your peace of mind, quality of life, and safety of everyone involved. 

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Specializes in Critical Care.

If it is unsafe and you need to leave for that reason I don't blame you.  Make sure you have the job offer before you quit.  Check if these contracts are legal in your state as some states are not such as CA and they are not enforceable, but some corporations will try to do it anyway.  Others such as TX it is enforceable. 

Expect they will come after you for the money, whether it is thru your last paycheck or your PTO I'm not sure.  Also some places won't pay out your PTO when you quit.  Best case scenario they will apply your PTO toward what they say you owe, and that it is pro-rated so they give you credit for how long you have worked. 

I hope this was a bonus situation and not just paying for your training situation.  I believe HCA finally stopped demanding nurses pay for their training after the National Nurses United brought attention to the unethical practice, essentially creating indentured servants and unfair pay practices; but it sounds like they didn't end it for the nurses already in the pipeline.  Don't know where you work.

Be aware you will probably be considered a no hire and that could impact you in the future as these places tend to be large corporations with tentacles in many hospitals/clinics and cities across the country ever expanding their reach;  so it could pose problems for you in the future.

Is it possible to transfer to a less acute job in the hospital vs breaking your contract?  Just a few things to think about.  

But staying because leaving would be a failure is not a reason to stay.  If hospitals had appropriate staffing and support staff and treated their people with respect  and provided decent working conditions in the first place nurses would want to stay.  It is not a badge of honor to stay and prove yourself under unsafe conditions!  You have to do what is right for you!   Best wishes on your nursing journey.

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brandy1017 said:

If it is unsafe and you need to leave for that reason I don't blame you.  Make sure you have the job offer before you quit.  Check if these contracts are legal in your state as some states are not such as CA and they are not enforceable, but some corporations will try to do it anyway.  Others such as TX it is enforceable. 

Expect they will come after you for the money, whether it is thru your last paycheck or your PTO I'm not sure.  Also some places won't pay out your PTO when you quit.  Best case scenario they will apply your PTO toward what they say you owe, and that it is pro-rated so they give you credit for how long you have worked. 

I hope this was a bonus situation and not just paying for your training situation.  I believe HCA finally stopped demanding nurses pay for their training after the National Nurses United brought attention to the unethical practice, essentially creating indentured servants and unfair pay practices; but it sounds like they didn't end it for the nurses already in the pipeline.  Don't know where you work.

Be aware you will probably be considered a no hire and that could impact you in the future as these places tend to be large corporations with tentacles in many hospitals/clinics and cities across the country ever expanding their reach;  so it could pose problems for you in the future.

Is it possible to transfer to a less acute job in the hospital vs breaking your contract?  Just a few things to think about.  

But staying because leaving would be a failure is not a reason to stay.  If hospitals had appropriate staffing and support staff and treated their people with respect  and provided decent working conditions in the first place nurses would want to stay.  It is not a badge of honor to stay and prove yourself under unsafe conditions!  You have to do what is right for you!   Best wishes on your nursing journey.

 

Thank  you. I needed to hear this. 

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