I started my first ever nursing job in the beginning of September. I interview for and accepted a role on a post-surgical floor and was excited to work with the manager who interviewed me. I received a call that next week from a different manager who provided me my start date details and told me when to arrive. On my first day I found out that I had been transferred, without my knowledge, to a med-Surg/oncology floor under a different manager. When I questioned the change I was told they had to do some “rearranging” and this was now my assignment. I wasn’t happy with the change but what was I supposed to do? So I sucked it up and tried to make the best of it. My employment also came with a sign on bonus that was paid out to me on my first paycheck (which was taxed beyond belief and I am sure if I leave I will most likely have to repay it).
My orientation/training was pretty much non-existent. I was supposed to have a “mentor” and be followed constantly by this person so they could teach me while we cared for our team of patients. From my very first day we were given an assignment of 6-8 patients for our shift and I was told by my “mentor” to “go pass meds and do my assessments and call if I needed anything”. I was thrown to the wolves, and was struggling hard. I expressed my concerns to my mentor and my manager. During my orientation time, my manager never followed up with me. I reached out 3 times to discuss my concerns about the lack of training and how I didn’t think this job was a good fit. All 3 times she stated they would do better, but unfortunately nothing changed. Every conversation and email I sent stated my concerns with my training, how unsafe I felt, and that I felt as if my license is being put in jeopardy. CNAs were documenting care that wasn’t done, and I barely had time to pass meds and do basic assessments due to the demanding workload and lack of proper training. No one seemed to care no matter how many times I said it. When I asked for a transfer to another department, they said that it would be the same expectations no matter where I was in the hospital so I might as well figure it out here.
After that conversation I began to look for employment elsewhere and was offered a position at another hospital system - which I have accepted. The day before I was doing to give my notice, I tested positive for Covid and I am currently now on quarantine. I am now not sure if I should send in my 2 week resignation notice now via email while I am on quarantine, or wait until I go back to work in 6 days. I’m not sure how this all works. I don’t want to wait longer than necessary to give my notice since I need to be done by 11/22, but I don’t want to not get paid for being out sick either.
I’m torn and so unsure of how to handle this. Any help is appreciated.
