Published Aug 28, 2012
WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN
544 Posts
I've only been working on the floor by myself for four days and already I hate my job. I'm getting used to the patient loads, that's not the issue. The issue is the staff's negative attitude, low staffing (2 CNA's for 50 patients) being expected to do work without the proper tools (no stethosope or thermometer to take vital signs) and violent patients. When I was going thorough orientation I was so hopeful that I would work here through NS and possible work here as a nurse, now I don't want to work here another day. I cry every time I think about going back to work and I only want to stay the six months so that I can transfer somewhere else. In the orientation group before me there were 6 CNA's a month later only one CNA remained, people who have worked here for years are suddenly quitting and everybody else I speak with talks about trying to find another position.
How long should I wait before I start looking for another job? I don't see a way that I can make this job pleasant or even remotely tolerable.
KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN
1,641 Posts
I think I bailed after two months. By then I had more than enough experience & got three job offers. Don't stay at a place if you're miserable. It will show in your ability to provide adequate care. At least, that's what I observed when I worked in awful places like the one you described.
So there's hope! If I stick it out for a month or two I can move on to greener pastures! I'll just say that I'm trying to grow as a student nurse and so and so would be a better opportunity. This leads to another question though, when you're asked in your job interview why you left your old job or what you disliked about it, what do you actually say?
Sometimes I would go into detail, but that's not a good idea. Lately I would just say that it wasn't a good fit, or I wanted to experience more than just long term care..something very generic like that. It's never a good idea to "complain" about your last job in an interview. Again, just my experience & observations :)
SlaveHeart
147 Posts
*hug* hang in there. If it makes you feel any better I wish I had your job or any CNA job, no matter how miserable the facility!
Paws2people
495 Posts
nguyency77, CNA
527 Posts
It feels like hazing, huh? I felt that way when I first got hired but after a while I learned to ignore my coworkers and focus on my residents and patients. I am much happier that way. but if you can't stick it out, leave the job and look for another. If you're not happy, it may reflect on the care you give.
MedChica
562 Posts
Get on weekends. Work 6-2 or pull a double and be done with it.
While you're doing your time...apply for homehealth, PRN
Apply for the hospitals, PRN.
2 aides : 50 pts?
Sounds like my facility. 'Cept we had about 3 or 4 aides on the floor and 90-100 residents.
Staff has a neg attitude? Of course, they would. They're being put the wringer every day....
Personally, if I had to work mon-fri as an aide? I'd shoot myself....
LOL
When I came back from HH, I went PRN. I did w/ends and came in a few times during the week.
No more than that.
I never could handle working full-time as an aide.
Of course, I always was on schedule like a FT worker. I just needed that 'out' for my own sanity.
Working like this saved me from 'burnout'...and the workload is enough to burn out even the very best of aides.
That's why the doors of most LTCs are steadily...'revolving'.
If you feel it coming? Leave before the burn affects the way in which you render care to your residents.
I just put in my notice to go per diem and I plan on being as per diem as humanly possible ( I have to work at least one weekend a month). This way I can still say I have my LTC experience, I don't job hop like a bunny rabbit and it might be easier to get a hospital job.
funtimes
446 Posts
There are times when a shift is so crazy and busy that all you can do is laugh and look at it as a challenge to see if you can keep up. This is fine if its once in a while, but it gets old real quick if its EVERY shift and theres no end in sight.