To quit or not to quit

[syndeytish]

I am working at this LTC facility since the beginning of this year. I was an aide there before becoming a nurse. I have had a very bad experience on my third week of training. The ADN, supervisor, and other nurses made jokes behind my back so somebody told me about it. I got an apology from the ADN. Still, the nurse that was precepting me was talking about me and again somebody told me. I felt miserable and stupid and was ready to quit. I talked myself out of quitting and stayed. After my 6 weeks training I pick up hours, i'm per diem. I even applied for an open position for full time and was given the job which I haven't started as of present but in 2 wks. I made 2 errors this week. First was an error with a pt's fingerstick- not checking it before the pt ate, it was high, I did the right thing by contacting the on call doctor who told me to give the coverage anyway. The next day the regular doctor was mad, asking the supervisor to write me up. The sup told me he was ugly that morning and i need to be careful. she told him its not a med error as long as i contacted the on call dr and that she will not write a med error report on me. Second error of the night was with a new admission. In my training I never did admissions so I did not know what to fill out. I told the sup(different one) that I hadn't done it before and she told me not to worry abt it she will take care of it since I had a lot of pts on breathing tx. I was called in the next day that the admission wasnt complteted. Mind you the adm didnt even come on my shift. I told the wkend sup that the sup from that day said she would take care of it. well that sup denied ever telling me that. I was written up. My gut feeling is telling me to quit this job and find one elsewhere because people had informed they think the nurses are tryna screw with me, I have had that feeling too. my position starts in 2 wks. Any advise? should i resign and look elsewhere? Everybody knows of my mistakes in the facility; from the cleaning people, to the CNA's, to all the nurses on all shifts. This is really embarrassing and I don't feel safe and comfortable. My family members are telling me to stay since the economy is bad. What should I do? Stay and be miserable each day or quit and find something else no matter how ling it takes. HELP

[skittlebear]

First of all, hugs to you! It isn't easy being the new nurse on the block. Your overwhelmed with learning tons of new information, feeling nervous and stressed as your trying to learn your job, and who do you go to for your resources? Your co-workers who are very unsupportive! I do give credit to that supervisor who stood up to the doc who was wanting you written up. That was uncalled for (but these kind of docs are everywhere. Once you gain more experience you can better deal.

As a new nurse, the older nurses should take you under their wing and be much more supportive. They shouldn't laugh behind your back and that is HIGHLYunprofessional of the ADN to do so. You deserved more than an apology from her.

Unfortunately, you will find that every place you go you will have a few co-workers who are...how do I say it...unprofessional (trying to leave out the vulgar language).

This place sounds horrible though and very cliquish! I would listen to your instincts and try to find another job. Unless your not hurting for money, you should always have another job lined up before you quit your old one.

Good Luck!!! I know how hard it is just starting out, and I was fortunate enough to have several other experienced nurses take me under their wing and show me the ropes. That's how it should be. :hug:

[skittlebear]

I re-read your post and I have to say...I would definitely start looking elsewhere. This place sounds so unorganized! If you've never done an admit and your sup told you she would handle it, and then denied it later (causing the assessment to be incomplete), then you shouldn't have got written up! That was her fault. That's your word against hers though and you can't prove it. I would move on...on up and outta there!!!

[Anglkses]

I am facing a slightly similar situation myself. I just started on at a SNF and have received three days of orientation and am now scheduled tomorrow to work by myself. I am a recent RN grad who only has 6 months of experience in Public Health Nursing. Suffice to say it has been a while since I had anything to do clinically. My first three days have been filled with my orienting nurses calling out, a lack of protocol orientation, and some encouragement to bend nursing rules. I left after my first day an cried my entire hour drive home, and again the next morning. I am trying to decide whether I should quit due to the seeming lack of responsibility on the behalf of the SNF and its lacking reputation (which I of course discovered post hire). I mean as a new grad all we want is a safe and encouraging environment to establish our nursing careers and gain a solid and correct foundation to our nursing skills!!! I truly feel for you and hope what will follow will help you make the best decision...

The harsh reality is that nurses tend to eat their young, it's complete bs and totally unprofessional. Alas, it is a reality we must all face. I have found that when someone is talking bad about me I confront them one on one and simply say "I would appreciate it if you have an issue that you please speak to me directly. I am new to this and am willing to listen and learn" blah blah blah. If these rumors start to affect the nursing process and care provided in your facility then I would make sure to mention it to your Human Resources staff, that is what they are there for.

Regarding the errors, we are all human and that gut feeling that you feel when you realize you have made a mistake is a good thing because that is what we remember and keeps us vigilant. You learned that lesson and I bet you will never forget to get blood sugar levels before meals again. We all learn by making mistakes, even the doctor who tried to get you written up I am sure has made at least one mistake that he has never made again.

Doctors and other health care workers with broader scopes of practice, some of them feel that they should not be bothered by the day to day events in their patients lives. Thats great for them, but you did the right thing by calling him and following your protocols. You should be proud of yourself that you had the courage to correct your mistake! That indicates to me that you will be an amazing nurse :)

Regarding the admit situation, when you report on make sure that paperwork is done from the shift signing off. If it is not done, tell them that you do not know how to do it but that you would be willing to assist them with it. If you do not have time, then unfortunately thats the reality of the situation. Then go to your nursing supervisor and indicate that you were not trained on how to take an admit and that you want that training asap.

If your professionalism and critical thinking are not appreciated at this facility after all this, then yes perhaps you should move on to bigger and better things. You deserve better than that... remember that you are a new nurse, there is a huge learning curve but you had a huge learning curve to get to this point too. Do not doubt yourself and your skills! Remember that you are working under your license, so you are in control of what you do and it should be listed in your state's code that as a nurse you have the obligation to pursue clarification and training on aspects of the nursing process you are unsure of, and if you do not get that then you should not participate in those activities until appropriate training is completed.

I wish you the best and hope this helped a little... I know that my responding to you really helped me think my situation through, so I thank you for your post!

[suanna]

get out NOW. This place seems to love to play the Blame Game, and you are "it". I don't know at what level they are playing but at the "advanced level" of the Blame Game you could find yourself before the B. of N. You need to find a more supportive enviornment to start out your career.

[WoosahRN, MSN, RN]

Anytime you feel unsafe at a place or that your license would be in danger I would start looking for a new job. This sounds like a place that would sacrifice one of their own easily to cover a mistake. And being the new person as well as having so much negative attention, you are in the spotlight as it is. Start applying like mad but if you can, stay where you are at until something comes up. Your health and career are not worth staying somewhere where you feel it is unsafe. Hugs to you! Good luck!

[syndeytish]

thanks for all of your responses. I am going to quit. I am with an agency right now and I'm going to pick up hours there until I get something stable. I haven't cried like this like I've cried this wkend. And you guys gave me good advise.

[NC Girl BSN]

I think you should stick it out and see what happens. Alot of what your feeling is insecurities as a new nurse. If your really passionate and do a good job, you will get past this. You are going to make mistakes and you will learn from them. If the management is poorly run then no matter how good you are, they will never make you feel adaquate.

I just finished my first year of nursing as a RN and I can remember how sensitive I was if anyone pointed out any mistake that I made. I was paranoid and felt that the person was out to get me. Most of the time it was the seasoned nurses beating their chest to let me know how much knowlege they had and they could do nursing with their eyes closed. Funny they felt this way but I never got called into the office by my manager or written up.So it must not have been that bad.

As far as LTC. I worked in one for 15 years as a CNA and LPN. Some places are unorganized and the management is always gonna cover themselves. The fear the State surveyers. I don't understand why the DON wouldn't let you finish the paperwork and go over it with you while she had you in the office and just give you a verbal warning. That seems like the appropriate thing to do.

If you believe in prayer, ask God to guide your footsteps and let you know if that place is where you need to be. I pray everyday when I go to work and it keep me sane. Nursing is stressful and prayer helps me get through the day. Its my coping mechanism.Good luck to you!

[Pegasus65]

Wow.. apparently this type of behaviour seems to be the norm at LTC facilities. I agree with Suanna about the "Blame Game"... and also getting out before it costs you your license. I just quit a LTC after three months because of a situation that sounds nearly identical to this one. While I will freely own up to any error I make and I don't mind constructive cricitism in the least because I know that is how I will learn and grow... I do mind being the one "thrown under the bus" and written up by a new supervisor with a "God complex" when I was not properly oriented to begin with.

I too went through the "should I stay or go scenario". Frankly I hated tossing in the proverbial towel. I realize that nursing is going to be stressful in any speciality and especially for those of us that are new, but there is stress and then there is STRESS. I am not going to stay somewhere I am totally miserable. There is no way I can learn anything in that type of environment....when I feel like I have to guard myself at all times. Hopefully something better will come along soon... if not I still don't regret leaving.

Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do and have a great day!

[WoosahRN, MSN, RN]

Life is too short and there is too much at stake in nursing to be at a place that you are miserable in. There are other jobs out there and better places for you to love your career and learn in. I believe in giving jobs a chance but there is only so much you can do.

[EmmyBee]

thanks for all of your responses. I am going to quit. I am with an agency right now and I'm going to pick up hours there until I get something stable. I haven't cried like this like I've cried this wkend. And you guys gave me good advise.

I agree with your decision. While "quitting" isn't always the answer, every situation is different. If you were considering leaving because of the way you're being treated, BUT, you loved your job, I would say not to let those people run you off. But the fact remains, you are not happy and feel uncomfortable there. If things continue the way they're going (no support, people out to get you, talking about you behind your back, etc) something bad could happen. You don't want to jeopardize yourself or your license.

The people at your current facility made mistakes when they started out too. I'm quite sure they still do, but their experience allows them to cover it up. They sound insecure and plain mean. Stay positive and keep looking for something while you work agency. No where is perfect. But there are places out there where it isn't pure torture to work. And there are many seasoned nurses who ARE supportive and DO want others to succeed.

Good luck!