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Discussion

Should I leave...working more than expected & salaried

Well, I am a new grad going into my 4th week of work (Hospice field RN) and I am dreading it. I am about to have an anxiety attack just thinking about it! It's not my patients or the work, it's the hours. I am salaried and only am scheduled to work Mon-Friday, 8-5 with a hour lunch. The only days I have worked 8-5 with a lunch was during a 2-day in office oritentation. Last week I worked 60 hours, with no breaks...no food, no drink, no bathroom. Friday, I started work at 0600 and got home at 2000. This was d/t the fact that my precepting nurse took an admissions at 1530 and admissions take forever. The part that bothered me the most was that everyone acted like I am suppose to be available all the times. I had plans to go out with my husband that I had to cancel. As we were leaving, my nurse said "Well this usually happens, so just be available." Like ummm...no! Not only that, I have been told my several nurses that they work late, rarely get a break, and are running around all the time.

I love being a nurse and helping my patients, but I am not working for free nor sacraficing my personal life for a job. I have already started looking for another job. I was with my last doctor for 8 years and I dont want it to look like I am jumping ship, but I feel as if I am being take advantage of! I am just looking for advice/opinions if it is reasonable for me to leave. I am going to stick it out as long as I can and see if it improves, but I am just not sure at this point. Thanks!

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    • Featured Replies

    You are still in orientation? That process takes time, so I'd go ahead and finish the orientation. Then I'd be prepared to say NO sometimes. It doesn't make one popular to say no, but at times its necessary. In hospice it seems to even out between the crazy-busy and the lulls in patient load. If you don't tell the bosses no sometimes, they'll suck every last drop of sanity out of you. You have to set boundaries with your employer and be prepared to look elsewhere if they refuse to allow you to have boundaries. But it's too early to tell how the job will be when you are still in orientation. You might just have Super Sally nurse as your preceptor, one who devotes her whole being to the job. I work with a few of those, and I admire them, but I need to have a life outside of work. Hospice is very rewarding. I would give it a little more time and be on your own before deciding that it's not for you.

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    Keep your job! It is very hard to find one....I am looking for a job and no luck! It will get better.

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    • Expert

    Unless you are truly miserable, don't quit this job unless you already have another official job offer in hand. Job offers for most new grads are few and far between in this economy.

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    • Expert

    I highly suggest you consider doing extended care with a home health agency or hospice. With extended care, also called shift work or continuous care, you have set shifts. When the shift is done, you are done. No paperwork at home because you do your nurses note during the shift. No running around unorganized or working long hours unless you schedule yourself for long hours with two or more cases or agencies. You have more control over your work day.

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    In my area they do not hire new grads into hospice at all. You have to have 2 years experience, preferably med/surg. I work more than I would like right now too; but I figure once I get a year in at the same facility I can safely ask for part time or quarter time. I have a year experience, not at the same facility. Even though I still feel like I run my ass off a more than the experienced nurses with better time management skills developed from experience, I still feel like I am better than a year ago. You are what, a few weeks in? Just because the people you work with have poor time management skills that put them over does not mean you will have to practice like that once you get your groove down.

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    • Author

    Thanks for the advice everyone. I am going to stick it out & see if it gets better. I start out on my own tomorrow. I have 16 patients I have to see every week. I guess I am nervous, especially since the nurse whose pt's Im taking over is going to be doing admissions only. I know it will help with the field nurses, but the company wants her to admit 10 pt's a week. I have no idea where they will put these 10 pt's a week. I really love my job, so Im praying the time management gets better & I do not get overloaded. I'll just take it day by day! Thanks!

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