Resigned... then hospital wants me back???

BlueChocolateCat · Oct 21, 2014

I have had experience with a variety of different hospitals. Poor inner-city hospials, large urban research campuses, averge community hospitals, and county hospitals.

Yeah, I have been exposed to a lot of situations where patient care seemed to be lacking. It can be extremely upsetting at times. However, I am just suprised that you were able to establish such severe defecits in patient care after only getting through your first week of orientation?

I don't know the details of the situation; however, I was always taught to never burn bridges. Unfortunately, because you have already technically resigned, I feel like you would have already burned that bridge regardless of weather or not you continue employment there. So, I really don't know what to say at the point you are at. All I can say is that you DO NOT want to bring up this situation ever again at any future interview or job you may have. Because after only being there a week, I find it impossible that you could have established enough backup to justify your decision to any future employers.

So I guess frankly, you might just want to stay firm with your decision because I don't think you will ever be able to fully mend this one with your most recent employer.

tmartin83 · Oct 21, 2014

Thanks BlueChocolateCat :-)

It was painfully obvious, unfortunately. Being on the floor, seeing and hearing nurses bad-mouth the floor, severe staffing issues (on my third day of orientation, THIRD DAY, I was actually pulled to be a CNA with 13 pts on a different floor from where I was orienting, and had no idea where things were, was locked out of their supply/linen room), oh I could go on and on, hahhahah!

Having said that, do you think it was a good idea to resign? I just totally felt as if my orientation time was pooped on and there was no lack of concern for it. I mean... it was the worst feeling ever having to constantly ask another nurse I've never met to open the door to the supply room and just overall relying on everyone to do things because I didn't have the access/capabilities to do so.

I was totally prepared to burn that bridge, unfortunately. I just never expected to get asked to come back and give it another try. They actually want me to continue orientation tomorrow, so Im prepared to give it another chance. Perhaps this is some test??? Oh yeah, I'm definitely not gonna bring this up at my interview... I'm just hoping and praying they don't ask about it at all...

caliotter3 · Oct 21, 2014

Based on my overall employment experiences, I would tend to be very leery of the request. I would tend to think they want me back so that they have the upper hand and if, or when, they decided it is time for me to go, it will be under their terms. In other words, they would fire me, thus ruining my future opportunities as much as possible. I am sorry, but this is how I see it, based upon years of watching how employers treat their employees. I would not go back.

Guest219794 · Oct 21, 2014

"I ended up leaving for a large number of reasons, which mainly encompassed "half-a**ed" patient care, compromise of safety, and just an overall negative work environment."

Since you seem confident that this is the case, why would you want to work here?

bell1962 · Oct 21, 2014

Based on my overall employment experiences, I would tend to be very leery of the request. I would tend to think they want me back so that they have the upper hand and if, or when, they decided it is time for me to go, it will be under their terms. In other words, they would fire me, thus ruining my future opportunities as much as possible. I am sorry, but this is how I see it, based upon years of watching how employers treat their employees. I would not go back.

This! Be careful

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2014

Trust your gut and leave

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Oct 21, 2014

You've made your decision.. move on.

Their attempt to keep you is strange ,to say the least.

Realize that a "magnet" rating for a facility ... means squat.

amzyRN · Oct 21, 2014

Take the interviews at the other hospital and see how you feel about it. Don't feel obligated to stay at a facility that is sketchy. There are plenty of them out there. I have experience working at such facilities. There was a nursing home I worked at for 2 weeks and I was out of there fast. Listen to your gut. The commute can suck and I understand that aspect, so actually going to the facility and seeing how it feels to drive there and back will help to gauge how it will be.

gcupid · Oct 21, 2014

offer recommendations to improve the place but do not go back. If it was that bad after only one week, it must be a pretty terrible place.

tyvin, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2014

Don't compromise your integrity; you resigned for a reason. Old saying "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me."

Also; technically, you're not burning a bridge if you resigned under professional circumstances (nice departure and all that). You must have if they're asking you to come back. Burning a bridge involves bad blood.

Continue to be civil and professional.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 22, 2014

I did something similar. I had been applying to a hospital close to me (they are going for magnet status) for 4 years and I finally got an interview for a PRN position. They wanted me 2 days a week, but I already have a full time job (60 hours a week, every week is tooo much), so I accepted a prn (I decided how many hours I work). I got rear-ended on the way to orientation and I took it as a sign. Something didn't sit quite right when the job was described to me. I resigned the position. They did try to get to make me change my mind, but I didn't. I drive 40+ miles to my current job (has magnet status-I do think it matters-I live in a very competitive area-3 level 1 trauma hospitals; 2 of them top notch teaching facilities). I would not leave my job, or jeopardize it for another place. I love it.