This can't be safe at all

Published

  1. Do you think I should stick it out or leave?

    • 3
      Stick it out, and pick up some skills
    • 2
      Try a few more shifts to see if things improve
    • 40
      Explain your situation, and submit your notice now
    • 26
      Run for the hills and don't look back

71 members have participated

I started my very first job. It is at a rehab center, and basically is a mini hospital. They say the patients are "stable" but, a lot of them are not and it seems like they really need to be on a step down unit. Anyways, I should have seen the red flags when they said I would get 2 weeks orientation. Honestly, I thought they meant like some sort of shadow experience and then I would have a preceptorship.....you know, a 6 week or so deal. Nope.

2 weeks. That is it. And from what I'm hearing from my fellow (very stressed) new grad coworkers, sometimes not even that long.

Yesterday was the second time I was on the floor. Like EVER, on ANY floor. And I was left alone and the other nurses had so many patients they looked irritated as all get out when I asked questions. I am a new nurse, and apparently next week I will be on my own with 12+ patients. And half of them are on vents. This can't be safe.

I'm seriously scared of doing something unknowingly that could jeopardize my license. I have good time management and I am confident in my skills but, it seems odd that they would just throw someone with no actual nursing experience out there. Is this normal?

I kind of want to just walk away because I was just offered my dream job in the NICU of a hospital that gives a full year orientation. You learn everything and it is level 3. However, I do not want to be ungrateful, because it took me a while to find a nursing job and this place did give me the opportunity. Everyone is mostly nice, the other nurses are simply stressed out so I understand why they are a bit short. The NICU job starts in March. Should I stick with the rehab place until then or just call it quits?

All advice is much appreciated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Hospice/Palliative Care.

Personally, I would discuss my concerns with the manager. If nothing changes, I would get out ASAP. If you don't feel safe, you likely aren't.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Take the NICU job!!! Get it in writing!! It's almost March so if you can swing it financially, I would quit ASAP as it seems so unsafe.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Take the NICU job. The rehab hospital would not hesitate to walk away from you. If they ask why you changed your mind, you can tell them what you said here or just a polite, politically correct "This just wasn't a good fit, but I am so grateful for the opportunity you gave me".

If you didn't have another offer on the table I would tell you to keep this job and work with it, but since you do, go ahead and take the other offer. You don't owe them anything at this point.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for your advice! I think I will speak with the manager and let her know my concerns. I just don't want to viewed like I'm whining or being difficult because I do voice my concerns. Like I said, I really appreciate the opportunity but, I just feel like the way that they do orientation is not sufficient for a new nurse. There are FAR too many things that can be overlooked simply because I don't know! Especially when I have a couple of vent patients in the mix.

Plus it takes me forever just to find all the meds (no Pyxis) and check for any special considerations/interactions. And on top of everything, I can have anywhere from 1-3 admissions. It is just a bit overwhelming for me at the moment because I don't want to mess up and I want my patients to get the care they deserve.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology, Rehab, Public Health, Med Surg.

Another vote for NICU! Just be sure its a firm offer....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

Accept the NICU position and go per diem at the LTACH stating you need to reduce your hours for personal reasons.

It would be unwise to tell your coworkers about the new job. Leave that job quietly and on a positive note once you are sure the new job is right for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the advice. I will likely stick with it until I start the NICU job. Honestly, I really like the patients and the place overall. I'm just overwhelmed with how much I'm expected to take in with so little time in training. The NICU job definitely has my heart though. Oddly enough, I am getting a few offers after MONTHS of zero activity. But, since I have accepted the NICU position, I figure it's a waste of everyone's time to try to hop to another job so, I am turning the offers down (which I can't believe!). I'll just stick it out with this place and hopefully learn some great time management and other skills.

I just wish places had a more streamlined program for new grads. It is tough as you all know, and I'm not stupid, but without training, it is impossible to expect a new nurse to do well with 5+ patients, let alone 12! :unsure:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Congratulations on landing your dream job! That is so rare! Very excited for you. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

DEFINITELY take the NICU job. Congrats! What an opportunity.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree, if NICU is your heart, follow it. I'd talk to the director/manager at rehab but you should definitely take the job. My first job was a tele/renal floor, hired me fresh out of nursing school, and orientation was 3 months long typically for new grads. After a couple of years, picked up a second job at a rehab hospital, and though they warned me the patients are still pretty acute, I accepted bc that's what I'm used to anyway. Well! Patients were certainly more acute than I would expect for REHAB but what bothered me most was there weren't resources to deal with them like a hospital has. I felt very unsafe and ended up quitting pretty much before I started on the floor by myself. I even talked to the nursing manager and voiced my concerns but she basically told me to pray on it. Oi. Make sure you and your patients are safe and even better since you have another job lined up!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Take that NICU job and don't look back.

2 weeks is no where near sufficient for orientation for a brand new nurse. That is absolutely ridiculous and shouldn't even be legal.

I wouldn't feel bad for you. If you are concerned to the point where you think your license could be on the line....get out!! I'm sure a place like that would have no problem throwing you under the bus if something went wrong.

Congrats on your dream job!!

👍

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion