Should I Quit?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

 

Dear Nurse Beth,

I started at a local hospital as a Float RN. I have 1 year's experience in med-surg/ tele nursing. This is 8th week on orientation and my preceptor still is pushing me to work quick and not giving me time to call doctors about labs or doing other things. I usually chart all my assessments first thing in the morning, but my preceptor yells at me and tells me to do my care plans instead. I got yelled at by the nursing educator for not having my assessments done on time (I get them done before I leave) and still having to be coached. I tried to notify my supervisor and HR, but to no avail and no new preceptor. What should I do, as I have an interview with a cardiologist in the area (which I had applied to before I got this job). 

Dear To No Avail,

I'm sorry, this is a tough spot, and it sounds like it is not working out.

You aren't getting support or clear guidance, but typically a Float RN is expected to function independently, efficiently, and to already have good time management skills.

Moving forward, one of your options is to pursue working for a cardiologist. It's important to know what you want long-term because the choices you make now affect your future. Leaving the hospital setting for any length of time makes it hard to get back in. If that's OK with you, and you enjoy working in an office setting, it could work out fine.

If you are not yet ready to leave the acute care setting and you left your MedSurg-Tele job on good terms, you could ask for your old job back. It happens more than you think that a nurse leaves for a new venture, it doesn't work out, and the nurse returns. It can be a win-win for the nurse and the organization, again, depending on the circumstances of your departure.

Assess your skill sets and your goals to choose the next best job for you.

Best wishes on your decision,

Nurse Beth