So, I'm leaving my unit of 2 1/2 years

BackfromRetirement · Jul 31, 2010

When nursing became all about the bottom line, it became impersonal. Everyone is scared for their jobs and mgmt is slashing and burning.

WarmBlanket · Jul 31, 2010

And the unit is chronically short staffed, chronically toxic, and just about everyone who CAN leave, does leave, whenever they find other opportunities. And so, I'm leaving for another job where a few of us have gone to another employer in town who is hiring. Just about everyone who can leave lately is leaving.
I understand the mangement may be annoyed, but after I put in my notice, I dutifully worked 2 extra weeks because it's the right thing to do. Today was my last day on the floor and not ONE of the management coordinators said a word to me -- no goodbye, no "sorry to see you go, we will miss you," not a "you suck, we're glad you're leaving, " -- absolutely NOTHING.
So, is this how it is in nursing? So totally impersonal that they cannot even thank you for all your hard work for almost 3 years on their unit??
co-workers of mine are very sad, many hugging me goodbye, etc ....but the management -- you can forget it.
It's such an incredible insult.

SoundofMusic : Let me get this straight : you think 3 years of training,dedication, competency and hard work makes you special ? Here is the truth : YOU ARE SPECIAL. ..... and they know it. Some might want to see you leave because your work outshines them , some people are just nasty and some are cowards. Go forward and keep up the good work - as for being insulted , it is a reflection on them. What goes around etc .............. Just super glue your locker shut and wave goodbye. : )

suanna · Jul 31, 2010

You said it yourself- this unit (hospital) the norm is rapid turnover. Look at it from thier perspective- If you keep orientation to a minimum, if a nurse quits after 2-3 years service, you always have low pay scale, little vacation, young healthy single staff to keep your health care and sick time costs down. The hospital has decided quality care and skilled staff are not as important as the bottom line. I don't think it was unusual at all, the way they acted- your departure was planned for and expected from the day you hired. Take your skills and committment and work for a place that values high quality nursing care. The job you are leaving dosen't deserve a moments thought- they did one thing- you can now apply as an experienced nurse.

JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2010

We have the same problem in our unit. The coworkers I have are a fantastic team. I couldn't have asked for better people to work with. Our team leader/manager? Not so much. Turnover is higher than ever, and she never even tries to stop people from leaving. Or, when she does stop people from leaving it's never in a "You're so important we can't lose you" kind of way. What she does is, when she gets wind that someone is thinking of applying for a transfer, she finds a reason to write them up so that they'll be ineligible. That way, she retains the employee and doesn't have to bother with the touchy feely "please don't leave us" routine.

I recently won a fantastic tranfer job that I interviewed for. She was blindsided because I didn't tell her (knowing that she'd find a way to block it). She didn't have time to block it, and she never tried to talk me into not leaving. This, despite the fact that in my review 2 weeks ago she told me I was one of her best employees and had more leadership skills than the majority of nurses on her unit.

It's sad how they've lost sight of how to treat people.

Otessa, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2010

SoundOfMusic,

I have been there. Your co-workers are sad, the management sees you leaving as ANOTHER person they need to replace. You would think they'd learn if so many have left already of the "why" behind all the leaving.

otessa

SoundofMusic · Jul 31, 2010

Thanks to everyone for all their replies. They confirm what I've suspected about these large teaching hospitals and the bottom line. And I think it's so sick. Really sick.

I'd always been told -- X hospital is where you go to learn, and then after 2-3 years, you go to where you REALLY want to work.

But what does that do for X hospital and the community? Always running w/ inexperienced staff ...always a cluster.

Isn't there a better way somewhere, somehow?

What she does is, when she gets wind that someone is thinking of applying for a transfer, she finds a reason to write them up so that they'll be ineligible. That way, she retains the employee and doesn't have to bother with the touchy feely "please don't leave us" routine.

Our manager did the EXACT same thing -- to a number of nurses on the floor. But then one or two of us got out under the radar anyway. They can only do that for so long. They must be working out of the same instruction manual on How to Treat Nurses on the Floor.

Oh well -- I guess I'd better be glad I made it out alive, w/ my license intact. I was never written up, never abused too badly. I guess they did expect my departure -- it exactly how they are acting. Just weird.

:uhoh3:

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2010

Let it go.

Don't look for affirmation or any type of validation. It will only hurt you (I already see it in your post). When you harbor resentment, that negativity will effect your outlook in your future nursing career.

Chalk it up their shortsightedness--remember, you had a way out...they--for whatever reason, fear--years of investment--can't leave.

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2010

SoundofMusic : Let me get this straight : you think 3 years of training,dedication, competency and hard work makes you special ? Here is the truth : YOU ARE SPECIAL. ..... and they know it. Some might want to see you leave because your work outshines them , some people are just nasty and some are cowards. Go forward and keep up the good work - as for being insulted , it is a reflection on them. What goes around etc .............. Just super glue your locker shut and wave goodbye. : )

I wouldn't do the last part because they may arrest you for destruction of property. Leave them Hershey's kisses instead and a pic of a nice, big behind....hehe.... :cool:

elkpark · Jul 31, 2010

I've seen a wide range of possibilities (when leaving a position), from my entire last day passing without anyone mentioning that it was my last day to wonderful "goodbye" parties (with gifts!) On one unit, I actually worked my entire last day without anyone acknowledging it was my last day, and, before I left the unit at the end of the day, I made a point of sticking my head into the NM's office to pleasantly say goodbye and say something nice about having worked there. She looked up from what she was doing and said, "Oh, is this your last day?? Oh, ok, goodbye ..." and that was it. (And this was a small unit, with a supposedly "close" staff -- it's not like there were so many people she lost track of me ...)

I also had one v. unpleasantly passive-agressive NM, who did everything possible to drive me away from the unit, throw a big party for me when I finally did resign, and carry on like she really cared about me and was soooo sorry I was leaving (don't worry, no one fell for it -- everyone knew how she was).

I don't let it bug me; I figure a bad leave-taking experience is just further proof that I'm doing the right thing by leaving. :)

Lucky0220 · Jul 31, 2010

and the unit is chronically short staffed, chronically toxic, and just about everyone who can leave, does leave, whenever they find other opportunities. and so, i'm leaving for another job where a few of us have gone to another employer in town who is hiring. just about everyone who can leave lately is leaving.
i understand the mangement may be annoyed, but after i put in my notice, i dutifully worked 2 extra weeks because it's the right thing to do. today was my last day on the floor and not one of the management coordinators said a word to me -- no goodbye, no "sorry to see you go, we will miss you," not a "you suck, we're glad you're leaving, " -- absolutely nothing.
so, is this how it is in nursing? so totally impersonal that they cannot even thank you for all your hard work for almost 3 years on their unit??
co-workers of mine are very sad, many hugging me goodbye, etc ....but the management -- you can forget it.
it's such an incredible insult.

you sound like a wonderful and caring nurse. why are you surprised that no one from management said anything to you? you stated it yourself as i highlighted in red. usually units that have chronic problems are units with poor management and it all trickles down. they obviously have not appreciated the good staff that they had and that is why they left. the fact that your co workers cared, should be your real validation. they are the ones who really knew you. good luck in your new position. they will be lucky to have you there.:redbeathe

shiccy · Jul 31, 2010

I'm not going into details, however, after being on my unit for 3 years, I'm transferring as well. Best of luck to you in your new job!!

Managers think, sometimes, that they shouldn't show emotion b/c it makes them look weak. ... They don't do it on purpose, but this view makes for a realization that the other end it makes some look like they don't care.