Resignation help

[mel12345]

I need some advice.

I've been an RN for almost two years now, first in the ER and currently in a Mother-Baby unit. I started on the postpartum side of the unit and have recently finished my orientation in the labour and delivery side. The truth is I don't think I'm cut out for the labour and delivery part of the unit, the stress is eating me alive.

Part of the problem is that the unit is combined so we are expected to do both postpartum and labour and delivery. It's a smaller community hospital where the nurses take on a lot of extra responsibility and I don't think I'm ready for it. We are also constantly short-staffed with forced overtime almost daily.

On top of all this, I'm also trying to do by Bachelor's of Nursing online full-time and I'm in the middle of planning a wedding. Where I work seems to be the one thing I can control and I'm thinking that a position with less stress might be the right move.

I have the opportunity to quit this job and go work in a palliative care centre where there is a much more laid-back atmosphere which will allow some of this constant stress to go away as I finish my degree. But I feel bad because I finished my orientation about a month ago and I feel like they invested all this time and energy training me.

Any thoughts?

[strawberryluv, BSN, RN]

Don't feel bad. You are not obligated to work for the, just because they trained you. You didn't sign a contract. You should be selfish for yourself and value your time and mental health by working in an environment that suits you. If you are miserable at work it is reflected in your care. Focus on you.

[WanderingWilder, ASN]

I second don't feel bad, if they needed to let you for some reason they wouldn't hesitate. Give your notice, leave on good terms, and enjoy your new job.

[KCMnurse, BSN, MSN, RN]

Do you - as the young people say! Don't feel bad, life is too short to be miserable. You have a lot on your plate right now, so do what you have to. Be happy!

[llg, PhD, RN]

I disagree with the above posts. You should feel bad. Feeling bad is a good thing when it means you have a conscience. The fact that you feel bad means that you a good person who is sensitive to the needs of others and the fact that they invested in you in the hopes that you would work for them in the future.

Selfishness and insensitivity to others are NOT virtues. You wouldn't want to live in a world where everyone was selfish and insensitive to the needs and feelings of others.

That said ... sometimes, you have to make tough decisions and do things you wish you didn't have to do. If the maternity job is really stressing you out more than you can bear, maybe you need to leave. Explain the situation, apologize and leave with as much grace, integrity, and compassion you can muster.

Feel bad about it, but do it anyway ... and then forgive yourself for having made a mistake in taking the job. But take comfort in the fact that you handled your resignation well.