Should I run from this job??

Published

  1. What to do about this situation...

    • 11
      Keep working, lead by example, document errors.
    • 22
      Run today! Get away from this law-suit waiting to happen.
    • 0
      Accept that this is the way it is. Relax your standards. Who cares?
    • 3
      Speak to the Docs/Owners of the surgery center. The manager will hate you, but something might change.

36 members have participated

I was an OR circulator for a hospital with six ORs, for nine years. I left town for a while and when I came back I had the opportunity to work at a small specialty surgery center. The similar pay, no nights/weekends/call made me say yes to the new job.

My problem is, six months later, that despite my speaking to the manager, speaking in staff meetings, and speaking to the staff, errors keep being made. The serious kind. Wrong site on consent forms (signed by three different staff members by the time I find it). Wrong name on chart or on schedule. Wrong side said in time-out. Some of the staff and the docs seem very casual about this (and about their sterile conscience), and don't seem to see the need to do better. I get the feeling I should shut the **** up.

I'm afraid this is an accident waiting to happen, and I don't really want to be a part of it. I have started looking for another job. Am I over reacting??

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You are not overreacting.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.

Maybe not run today but I would certainly start looking elsewhere and leave once you've accepted another job offer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

Run today and keep your professional liability premiums paid up. I don't know what the statute of limitations is on lawsuits; you could still be named in one down the road. Minimize that risk and get out.

Even without the fear of lawsuits, you clearly are conscientious and don't want to be associated with such substandard care. I don't think it would do any good to speak with the doctors. If they didn't acquire good habits from their schooling and have a cavalier attitude, they are very unlikely to hear it from you. Save yourself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Varied.

Document. Document. Document. Then start looking elsewhere.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Honestly, I wouldn't walk away from a no weekend/no nights/no calls job...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MDS/ UR.

You already know what you need to do. It is time to slide on out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
Honestly, I wouldn't walk away from a no weekend/no nights/no calls job...

I know it's a bummer. But does anyone really want to participate in a wrong side surgery? And if OP is always the watchdog pointing things out, it's going to get exhausting. Not to mention becoming everyone's unfavourite person. Some things can't be helped.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

You should have had a "run yesterday" option in the poll.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You are soooo right. It is exhausting and I'm the one catching mistakes so they're afraid of me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Lol true.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know what I would do but I've been in positions to direct care most of my career and that's where I'm most comfortable.

I'd meet with the manager, medical director or whoever is in leadership, tell them this is a ****show and provide concrete examples. Then I'd ask them if they want my help to clean things up or would they prefer for me to step down gracefully.

If they want my help, I'd do it for the vulnerable patients they serve as well as the drive I have for process and performance improvement.

I'm not a not my problem sort so I couldn't simply resign without throwing my hat in the ring.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion