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Discussion

This can't be safe at all

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.

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    • Do you think I should stick it out or leave? 71 members have participated

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

      • Stick it out, and pick up some skills
        4%
        3
      • Try a few more shifts to see if things improve
        2%
        2
      • Explain your situation, and submit your notice now
        56%
        40
      • Run for the hills and don't look back
        36%
        26

    Please sign in or register to vote in this poll.

    Featured Replies

    • Guides

    Your instincts are right. Let us know how the new NICU job is going.

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    No question. Nicu job and never look back.

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    • Author

    I have decided to take the NICU job! I've started doing my shadow and have been researching like crazy trying to prepare. I start my floor orientation next week and I am so excited/nervous. I'm just going to pay attention and try to learn and soak up as much information as I can.

    As for the rehab job, I'm going to chalk it up as a bad decision. Some nurses may be able to handle facilities that give them heavy patient loads but, as a new nurse, I can't. And, I'm not entirely sure I'll ever want to do it as an experienced nurse either. I know now for the future that it is VERY important to ASK QUESTIONS DURING YOUR INTERVIEW! LOL. If something sounds off, it probably is.

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    Like others have said, take the NICU job.

    This "rehab" facility is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Guard your license!

    Why are patients' on vents in rehab? Is this common in US?

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    run for the hills is what I got to say about that. Very unsafe and is quickly becoming a common practice. Until new grads start showing employers they won't stand for this then it will keep happening...I left my first nurse job 3 weeks into orientation a 6 week orientation in which they started me brand new with 3 patients on my own and no one on one preceptorship as they implied in the interview...did not feel safe at all. When I turned in 2 weeks notice, they just let me go, not that I blame them. Places with short orientation spans means many nurses are leaving at the same time...now why are they leaving?

    Anyways I got another job, just complete my 8 week orientation and now on my own...a much better experience. A new grad needs at least 7 weeks orientation one on one with a preceptor, with progressive patient load and at least 1 day just observing the routine of the floor, in my opinion. For specialized units, 1 year orientation is a must. If at the interview its less than that...run, run , run!

  • Quote
    I have decided to take the NICU job! I've started doing my shadow and have been researching like crazy trying to prepare. I start my floor orientation next week and I am so excited/nervous. I'm just going to pay attention and try to learn and soak up as much information as I can.

    As for the rehab job, I'm going to chalk it up as a bad decision. Some nurses may be able to handle facilities that give them heavy patient loads but, as a new nurse, I can't. And, I'm not entirely sure I'll ever want to do it as an experienced nurse either. I know now for the future that it is VERY important to ASK QUESTIONS DURING YOUR INTERVIEW! LOL. If something sounds off, it probably is.

    Very good point about asking questions! Congrats on the NICU. Just wanted to pass along...I did my senior practicum in the NICU and found the Merenstein and Gardner book to be an invaluable resource. I got if for my Kindle and it was great to have on hand. Best wishes to you!! :)

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    Take the NICU job. I would give notice to the facility that you are at if you can safely make it through the two weeks, but if you cannot do it safely then I would just call it quits. It's not fair to you or the patients to be put in an unsafe position. From what I have seen over the years is that hospitals usually give decent orientation periods where long term care (haven't worked rehab) give minimum guidance. I never worked long term care before and was the sole nurse and weekend supervisor for a 110 resident facility after three days of orientation. I did okay because I've been a nurse for a while and adjusted to the different protocol for the environment, but they also hired new grads. I felt sorry for the new evening nurse that just graduated, had two evenings following the med tech around and then one day with me on the weekend before she was cut loose by herself. Unfortunately,a lot of these places are all about the profit and don't bother training people to be competent and safe.

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