Quitting during orientation

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Specializes in New Grad.

I'm not sure where to start with my dilemma, but here we go.

I was an ER PCT for 7 years, then I graduated with my ASN in December and received my RN in February. I had dreamed of transitioing within my ER from the role of PCT to RN, but due to a unsupportive manager and terrible HR, I was never hired. When I was applying for jobs, I received several offers from outpatient dialysis, and accepted one. After I accepted this offer, another ER gave me an offer, which I politely declined at the time because I felt obligated to continue the onboarding process I already began with dialysis.

Fast forward 3 weeks, and I am miserable in orientation with the dialysis company. I never received an orientation to my clinic; I only met my coordinator for 5 minutes and it was sort of "clock in here, put your stuff here, this is the PCT you're going to follow". I don't think she even knew I was coming that day by her reaction. I still have yet to meet the clinic's manager. Additionally, I was told by the recruiter and the people who interviewed me (which were 3 local managers but not the one from my home base), that my shifts would be 10/12/maybe 14 hours. That's what I wanted as I am used to 12-13Hs, but they have put me on 8Hs, and that will not work for me. 

At this point, I regret not taking the ER position. After talking with my friends, I realize I came from being a PCT jack of all trades, of sorts, and learned so many different topics in school that I feel apply when I am working in the ED. In dialysis, I feel like I am boxing myself in. To the point, I have reached out to the ER manager who offered me the position to ask if she would reconsider the offer. 

I am worried I am just longing for my passed experience, the thrills of the ED. My husband says I am being rash by wanting to leave dialysis so quickly.

So I guess my question is, how bad is it for me to quit dialysis orientation less than a month in? Am I being rash/irrational by reconsidering my options for the position I long to be?

Thanks for reading...

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Hello! I am in a similar position. I am less than 2 months in at the hospital and I plan on quitting tomorrow. I am unhappy with what I am doing and feel that something is better out there for me, perhaps in the community. I personally think this is a great time to follow your heart. THEY NEED NURSES! & something that makes me feel better is telling myself that I am only at the beginning of a long career - it is too early to feel like this, so I say go for it! ❤️It's scary, trust me... I get it, but you will find something else and I am sure it will be better and if the ED isn't it, you will find something else again. You have to take a chance on yourself sometimes and believe you can do it. In school we talk about self-care, finding what makes you happy, but I have seen very little of this out in the actual field... so be your own advocate! I am rambling on now, LOL. Best of luck to you. 

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Good decision reaching back out to see if the offer was still there. I would stick it out with the orientation but keep looking.  They lied and screwed up your schedule, no love lost.

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Specializes in Inpatient Addiction Rehab.
On 4/6/2022 at 6:45 PM, _kay said:

Hello! I am in a similar position. I am less than 2 months in at the hospital and I plan on quitting tomorrow. I am unhappy with what I am doing and feel that something is better out there for me, perhaps in the community. I personally think this is a great time to follow your heart. THEY NEED NURSES! & something that makes me feel better is telling myself that I am only at the beginning of a long career - it is too early to feel like this, so I say go for it! ❤️It's scary, trust me... I get it, but you will find something else and I am sure it will be better and if the ED isn't it, you will find something else again. You have to take a chance on yourself sometimes and believe you can do it. In school we talk about self-care, finding what makes you happy, but I have seen very little of this out in the actual field... so be your own advocate! I am rambling on now, LOL. Best of luck to you. 

I am interested to hear how this journey goes for you–I recently quit my hospital RN position while being on orientation, I was unhappy and unfulfilled. I'm also interested in community nursing, best of luck to both of us!! ?

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I'm in a similar situation I just graduated with my LPN in June and accepted a job at a LTC facility. I have two days left on orientation and am looking to quit. It's just not for me the nurse to resident ratio, and the support. They have me scheduled to work my first days on the floor by myself on a weekend when there is no support. I don't sleep on the days I work and loose sleep thinking about the job. But I feel it will look bad as its my first nursing job and I am looking/quiting my job with only being there two weeks. I am lost as what to do 

 

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Specializes in Dialysis.
On 4/8/2022 at 2:05 PM, HiddenAngels said:

They lied and screwed up your schedule, no love lost.

Most dialysis companies only do 8hr orientation days, as their activities are scheduled that way so the orientee can do learning modules on computer and classes in person, as well as on the floor training, and avoid OT so that the trainee doesn't get overwhelmed. The longer hours come once they've been checked off to be on their own. This may be what's happening here

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Specializes in Dialysis.
4 hours ago, JLeen40 said:

I'm in a similar situation I just graduated with my LPN in June and accepted a job at a LTC facility. I have two days left on orientation and am looking to quit. It's just not for me the nurse to resident ratio, and the support. They have me scheduled to work my first days on the floor by myself on a weekend when there is no support. I don't sleep on the days I work and loose sleep thinking about the job. But I feel it will look bad as its my first nursing job and I am looking/quiting my job with only being there two weeks. I am lost as what to do 

 

Make sure to have another job before quitting, and go give notice if possible, so as to not burn bridges

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Specializes in New Grad.

Update:

I reached back out to the ER position,  and the manager said she would contact HR and I only need to reapply with no interview.  HR offered me the same rate as previously.  I called my boss at the dialysis the week before my start date, told her I needed to quit for personal reasons. She asked if it had to do with the center, the patients or coworkers, and what she could do to help. I explained nothing would help, and I emailed a simple letter of resignation.

Since starting in the ER, I have been so happy. I feel fulfilled. I am learning and experiencing so much. My coworkers and managers have been super supportive and helpful. They want to take me off orientation early ?.

So in the end, my advice is, if you aren't happy then change it up. Definitely have a backup plan before resigning. It was anxiety ridden for me to quit, but happy I did it.

 

Thanks for everyone's responses and supprt!

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