Quitting after 2 weeks

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I'm horrified that I am even considering this - I intended to stay at least 6 months to a year in my LTC position, if not longer.

I've been working for 2 weeks, and I'm very close to walking in tomorrow and quitting on the spot. The communication between staff is awful. The turnover rate is incredibly high... but most importantly, I don't believe the conditions to be safe. I would rather not go into excessive detail, but I feel like I am risking my license working there and I know I am not the only employee that feels that way.

I'm conflicted because I do tend to get discouraged easily and I'm not sure if I'm throwing in the towel too soon. I understand that I'm going to be overwhelmed as a new graduate and that no RN position is going to be a cakewalk. But it's just too much. I was in tears when I left my last shift.

Truly, I don't know what to do. Has anyone ever been in a similar position? Any guidance or advice would be much appreciated.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I would rather not go into excessive detail, but I feel like I am risking my license working there and I know I am not the only employee that feels that way.
The "losing my license" mantra is terribly overblown. Few, if any, nurses lose their licenses in the LTC setting. Statistically, the vast majority of nurses lose their licenses over issues surrounding impairment, drug abuse, or narcotic diversion and theft.

I worked in LTC for six years. Some of the facilities have been good and other places have been bottom of the barrel. It's hard work and assembly-line style nursing, but you aren't going to "lose your license" no matter how shady the facility may be.

If you have no other job lined up, yes, I think you are throwing in the towel too soon. Good luck with whatever you decide.

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Specializes in ER.

I totally agree with Commuter.

Don't be a job hopper! It may not be ideal there, but it's a job. You'll learn something there. You won't lose your license just because your facility is not the greatest.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

I definetly agree with the 2 PP - unless it's a BIGGIE, try to stick it out. I only had to do that once, and I only made it 8 hours of a 12 hour shift!

It was due to something highly illegal - physical abuse if an elderly patient. I left after lunch - but I did go to administration and told them why. I also had to report what I had seen.

Good luck to u!

Anne, RNC

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

If you ARE seeing illegal practices, such as elderly abuse, get out of there. It's not worth it. But, if its due to being overwhelmed then try to hang in there to develop time management skills, etc. Many new nurses in the hospital settings leave their shift in tears as well because the transition from student nurse and primary nurse is challenging in the first year.

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Thank you all for your replies.

I'm just so incredibly frustrated. The last several days have kind of been my breaking point. I feel like I've been thrown to the wolves.

I suppose I should clarify as well - though I am concerned for my license, my biggest worry is the residents' safety. The way their system is set up makes it so incredibly easy to make a mistake or miss something. That along with the fact that there's a lot of residents, some requiring quite a bit of attention.

It's overwhelming when everything is going well - but when something goes wrong it's a nightmare.

But I am definitely going to try to hang in there for now.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I suppose I should clarify as well - though I am concerned for my license, my biggest worry is the residents' safety. The way their system is set up makes it so incredibly easy to make a mistake or miss something. That along with the fact that there's a lot of residents, some requiring quite a bit of attention.

Treatments and orders are often missed in the LTC environment. Mistakes are occasionally made. However, these conditions typically aren't life-threatening as we make them out to be. Things happen.

And yes, many LTC residents are time-consuming and require attention, but you must quickly tend to these people and move on. You must work within the constraints of the system. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in medical surgical, cardiac.

pHEW oh I feel for you. I think you should stick it out while you look for other jobs. AS LONG as nothing illegal is going on. IF that then quit, report and move on.

I suggest an exercise

1. Make a list of all the things you want to change, big and small.

2. go through them and put them in two piles "things YOU can do/ control" and things "not in your control"

3. THEN, try and let those things you can not control go. Lend your focus on the things you can change.

Like others said you must work within the constrains of the system. Every new RN goes through a period of harsh self-reflection when we realize what nursing school said "nursing was like" and "what nursing should be like" and we realize that it is really sometimes no where near that ideal. The point is it can be with good leadership and dedication to excellence which is out there! That said, 16 months into my career and I am still working on giving up control on the things that I can not change. For me IDing those situations I CAN change and turning my attention helps a lot! It makes for a much more positive and rewarding experience.

Also step two is to get a fun hobby outside of work and DO it not obsessing about work. Sounds silly perhaps but this is my advice. I am sorry you feel how you do sounds like you are a great asset to your job since you care! I wish all the best luck in the world and hope you find your way to the sunnyside of the street.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

It's overwhelming when everything is going well - but when something goes wrong it's a nightmare.

This may seem exclusive to where you work, but this is true in just about every LTC facility and hospital out there! It will be tough, but hang in there...better days are ahead. If you do stick it out, it says a lot about your character--not too mention the experience you gain.

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Specializes in OB, Postpartum, Nursery.

If you quit it will be that much harder to find another job...having to explain. But them again, you can leave it off your resume. Then again, if you apply to government/state job, you will have to put it. It really sucks that this is the norm. All I can say is keep your head down, follow all safety standards and cya (cover your butt). Keep applying everywhere. I know it sucks....but it sucks 100 times worse trying to find your first second job. You will wish you stayed where you are. I have been in a similar situation.

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Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.

I have had a similar experience in a SNF/LTC, place. Too many residents not enough staff and impossible task to fill. I was hired on call and supposed to fill 3 very different units and 3 different shifts. Nine different scenarios, not a safe place and with very difficult patients. I went through the first days of orientation and just left. Didn't feel safe or that I was able to handle. I work in another place now and even thought SNF's are pretty much the same this place makes me feel more confident, people, place I don't know so don't feel afraid to leave.

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