Ready to get out of LTC

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Specializes in ED, acute care, home health, hospice.

So I have been working for about a year now, at first I loved my job. But knowing what I know now, I think my bliss was ignorance in disguise.

I have found out about major med errors being swept under the rug by admin, several nurses who all of the staff suspect are using illegal drugs, admin won't random drug test due to them not being against recreational drug use (so when does recreational drug use, such as on days off begin to blur the line into taking a hit just before work?)

Not to mention, my schedule is constantly changing. I have just returned to school for my BSN, my employer is less than supportive of this decision and it is hard to schedule times to meet with my classmates for group projects or simply develop a routine for studying when my schedule is in constant flux.

As you can imagine, I am beyond disgusted and frustrated. My common sense is telling me to run, not walk, out of there! But reality tells me I need to pay the bills. However, I finally have another job lined up and should get official word within the next few days. I know they will ask me when I hand in my resignation letter why I am leaving, and will probably be told why it is a bad idea to leave.

So do I just leave peacefully and try to keep things on good terms (as I may work with one or more of these people in the future). Or do I tell them some of the issues I have to clear the air and get it off my chest?

Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

You should remain a professional while you are working. You should provide them with proper professional notice. You should participate in an exit interview if you believe that you can do so professionally...if not it may be best to decline.

Nursing in a region can become a very small world and it is best practice to burn as few bridges as possible. You can never be certain who plays poker with your next nursing director, or goes to her church, or is married to his uncle, etc...and bad experiences are great luncheon or cocktail conversation. You don't want your name to be included in any of those chats.

Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonary Nurse, Telemetry.

I would say leave on good terms, no matter what. You never know who you might run in to from this facility in the future. You could say an opportunity for you to gain experience in a certain specialty or area came about and you have accepted this position. Make sure you thank them for giving you the opportunity to work there and learn, etc etc. Always leave on good terms. I would hold out until you get official word from the new job, then submit your letter of resignation. Good luck!! This sounds like a hard situation.

Specializes in Home Health.

Does the facility you work at receive any State or Federal funding? Most LTC facilities are governed by State Department of Health and Hospitals. You need to drop a nickel on them as concerns their lax attitude about recreational drug use by caregivers.

Specializes in LTC.

Some certain happenings at my facility have scared the kahoonies out of me and put a fire under my tush to go back to school to get these never ending preqs done for my RN full time in the fall. I want to get out of long term care and never look back. Its a shame because I love my residents and the nurses/cnas i work with but I worked hard for my license and I can't be losing sleep at night.

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