Should I have quit while I had the chance

Published

I failed withdrew from my second quarter of nursing school due to having an insufferable clinical instructor who was always on the brink of failing me anyways, and having an over all bad experience at clinical due to really rude, unprofessional, unhelpful hospital staff. I w/d from that qtr and even sold all my nursing books. But, when I looked at the student loans that were going to be due, I went back. I did alright. I graduated and passed the NCLEX without other problems. Now im less than a year out, have started and quit 3 nursing jobs --- (all LTC bc thats all I can get as a newgrad) . The orientations are always insufficient and the over all expectations are unrealistic!!! I think ive had enough already! Why do new nurses get 3 days of orientation max, but cnas, cleanig ladies, and everyone else in the world gets 2+ WEEKS?!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

Did you not know all of this during the interview? Nurse-patient ratios, length of orientation are among the questions you ask during the interview. You quitting 3 times may be the reason why you aren't getting into other areas you want. You are not showing stability and commitment. Convincing a unit manager, who may be aware of your track record, to invest the time and money in you will be the uphill battle you face.

I would suggest you reevaluate what you want to do. You have spent the time, energy, and money in becoming a nurse. Not everyone lucks out and lands their "dream" job right of school, but in the meantime you suck it up and gain some experience during that golden 1 year.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

When I read your post, I see LOTS of finger pointing: the clinical instructor looking to fail you, the staff at clinical sites who were rude and unprofessional, THREE jobs where orientations were insufficient and had unrealistic expectations. Do you see a pattern here? I think you need to take ownership of the degree/license that you worked so hard for and try to see some positives in the life experiences you're finding for yourself. I wish you much luck!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

3/8 students in the clinical group I w/d from quit nursing all togeather, either switching majors or falling back on Another degree. It WAS a really toxic clinical situation! We complained, but the school didnt do anything! The nurses on the hosp floor said they hated our clinical instructor and I suspect they were trying to get to her through ud (nice, huh). Many young, new nurses voice the same frustrations I do. And I know that the orientation period is much, much less than it was 10-20 yrs ago when these old, crabby LTC nurses got their start!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Eventhough I HATE LTC, im trying to get my yr experience (the hospitals say they want) in, and move on. Had I known I would be forced to work in such terrible conditions, I would have never set foot in nursing school. I am not a work horse and I am not a pill pusher. Well, actually I am as if you let this pos ltc tell it, but I feel like this is so different from what I went to school for and im already tired of employers rushing the orientation and piling too much work on

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Working LTC is not for everyone. If you have the right attitude, you would be able to hone skills such as time management, assessments and Inter-Departmental communication.

Most LTC's orientation focus on facility policy. If you are strong and confident in the skills you gained through schooling and clinically, most brand new nurses do fine.

Does most facility orientation of those brand new nurses fall short? Yes, but it is the nature of the environment that doesn't allow hand holding. Ideally, you would go through those three or four days of floor orientation to get to understand the policies and become familiar with your residents and then have a a Mentor you can go to with questions or concerns. Again, you need to be strong, confident and competent in the skills you have in order to do well.

I'm sorry you feel like a pill pusher. LTC is so much more than that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Agreed, clearblue. LTC's are a great place to perfect your assessment skills, time management, prioritizing, people skills, etc.

I had a "clock watcher" (sits around waiting for that magical 4th hour when she can have another Vicodin) get upset because I didn't come running when she put her light on for the 12th time. I'm sorry, your neighbor 3 doors up just passed away, there's a few things I need to do with that. Dealing with multiple situations happens daily in LTC, it will serve you well in your future dream job to conquer some of these skills and get over your current mindset

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Instead of focusing on the negatives, identify job skills that you can work on developing while at this job. You have been provided some good ideas. Write this down and practice emphasizing these attributes for job interviews. By making something positive out of your present job, you will find the next job easier to obtain. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion