Turning in my two weeks notice today!

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After a long consideration whether I should turn in my two weeks notice, I came into a conclusion that I should. I have it all written out and prepare bring it to the DON today. But I am so nervous and not sure how she is taking it. I am sure they would have careless to let me go. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Would a new grad with less than 6 months of job experience able to find another more suitable job in this job market? I am very fortunate that I do not have to worry paying bills. My husband makes enough to take care of us whether I work or not. I choose to work because I want the experience in the field just I have a bad experience with this first job I have. I feel if I continue to stay I will lose my license and they will not going to have my back for it. Please give me your input. Thank you.

Specializes in ER, PACU, Med-Surg, Hospice, LTC.

They are very fortunate enough that you gave them two weeks. In at-will states, there is absolutley no need to give 2 weeks notice (unless it is in a contract you signed).

Instincts are pretty spot on, IMO. You''ll find something else that you like. Life is way to short to me in a job that makes you unhappy.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

I agree that it is easier to find a job when you already have one. I went for an interview some time back and was told by the employer that they were only looking at people who currently had jobs. I can't remember his reasoning why but that is what he said. On the other hand, if there is one thing I have learned from working in this field it's that when you get that feeling that it is time to go you better listen! So best luck to you. You will find something else and there is no use in being miserable in the meantime.

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Specializes in Endoscopy/Infusion.

I'm feeling the same way in my first nursing job which is a hospital job. I just don't feel like it's for me, felt like I HAD to go this route to feel like a "real" nurse, but am realizing the hours, heavy lifting, and over all quality of life isn't working. I am fortunate though that I have been offered a job in a speciality office, however it doesn't start for a few months...hanging in there until then, then making a move, life is way to short to be unhappy.

Good luck and I hope you find a job that is fulfilling!

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Specializes in none.
You don't really learned anything in school until you enter the workforce. I have learned a great deal in this place and thankful that they hired me but for the amount of written I have it is unbearable. I just feel I am such a failure and I didn't know how I even survived nursing school, passed NCLEX and all of that. *sign*

Hey kid, you are not a failure. you realized that this job is not for you. Say bye-bye to the DON and move on. You will find a job more suited to you down the road. Since you don't have to worry about money that much, you can pick and choose. At lease you resigned from your first job, I was firer. I'm not much of a nurse but I'm a good listener answer - Psychiatric Nursing and I love it. Never ever think of yourself as a failure. You are a Nurse.

Best of luck.

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Specializes in Psych & Gero psych.

I'm with the others...."IT'S ALWAYS EASIER TO FIND A JOB, IF YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE" that said go to Simply Hired and other sites and set up job alerts. And Apply, apply and apply....GOOD LUCK!!!!!

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Always follow your instincts. God gave you intuition i.e the sixth sense for a reason. Ideally, it's always good to give 2wks notice, leave amically and have something lined up before you quit. However, if you are really getting bells and whistles that you may be fired or that you are so stressed that you can't take a break or eat every shift, then perhaps it's time to move on.

You are very fortunate to have options and a husband who can pick up the slack. You are not a failure, take that refresher course, watch videos, review content and maybe find a slower paced environment or/and someowhere where they give a 'real' orientation.

I have 2 fears when I get a nursing job:

1. med error

2. won't be able to finish med rounds in the 1/2 hour window because of patient load.This is the main reason why i intend to keep my non nursing job after NCLEX and take a part time position to ease in.

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Specializes in NICU.

OP, three weeks is NOT adequate orientation for a new grad (or an "old grad" - lol).

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

IMO, I'd try to hold out until I got another job first before quitting this one. The main reason is that with 6 months experience, you are still considered a new grad...and 6 months' experience isn't a lot, especially when a lot of jobs want a minimum of one year. Is it impossible to get a new job if you do quit right now? No. But it will not be easy.

Best of luck whatever you decide!

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

FurtureRN-NP, I am sorry that you have had such a bad experience at your first nursing job. I don't know why we as nurses treat new nurses/experienced nurses that are new to that facility so bad! I mean, really! One of the main reason that so many of us become nurses is to "help others", yet when it comes to the "others" that you spend more time with than your family, you treat like crap! Even those of us who "save lives", can be so hard toward each other. You don't learn everything in nursing school, real learning takes place on the floor. I was fourtunate enough to have an awesome DON and administration when at my first job as an LPN. I could ask my DON any question, call her at anytime, come and cry in her office whenever I needed, all of us could. I am a great nurse because of my experience at that facility. However, I left that facility when I became an RN, because, of course I wanted to learn more, advance in my nursing career.

I have not found anything close to that since. I have found that facilities will throw new nurses and experienced nurses who are new to that facility, on the floor with sorry orientaion. They will pile a crap load of work on you and write you up if all of it is not done within 8 hours. Regardless of the fact that you had to give 10 PRN medicaitons, chart on all 21 of your medicare patients, and deal with a sick pt during your shift, who was BTY, sick on the previous, but nothing was done! LOL

Why not teach the new nurses, explain to them that leaving a cart unlocked, even if there are no drugs out and the drawers are closed, is a safety issue, that state surveyor can cite the facility. Experienced nurses, why not give new nurses little tid bits on how to organized themselves so that meds can be given safely in a timely manner??? Facilities, why not put some type of preceptorship program in place to effectively train new staff??? Wouldn't that save more money in the end???

OP, I have had that same feeling "it's time to get out of here", so if the Lord is leading you, by all means GET OUT OF THERE!!! :-) My humble opinion to you would be to find a job on night in a hospital. Hospitals give better orientaitons and you will gain skills. Once you have at least one year experience in acute care, you can go anywhere you want. I suggest night shift, because it is, in most cases, a slower pace, giving you oppurtunity to learn your job, policies and procedures, and rebuild your confidence. Also, do 12 hour shifts, 3 days a week. Five days a week is just too much of my life to give. If you can not find a job in acute care, then go to a rehab center or sub-acute hospital, once again seek a night shift position.

Remember that nursing is a hard job no matter where you go, No matter if it be the patients or other staff you deal with. Develop thick skin and do not allow others to make you second guess yourself. Be confident in your abilities and always be willing to learn and to share. In nursing you don't want to make mistakes, but at times they will happen. Learn from them and do your best not to harm your patients. Don't beat yourself up, LEARN FROM IT and don't do it again :-). Once you get your footing and are no longer the new kid on the block, remeber to treat the next new nurse the way that you wish you had have been treated on your first nursing job. Good Luck to you and God Bless. Please excuse any misspelled words...LOL

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I agree the job market is so competitive right now that you should deff wait until you have another job lined up. It could be awhile before you land another gig. Also, is it just me or does it seem like the high demand for nurses has led some companies to treat the ones they have like crap? Recently, I have been hearing a lot of horror stories about nurses being over worked and made to feel like their easily disposable. Is this what I have to look forward to or is it all just hype?

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
Hey kid, you are not a failure. you realized that this job is not for you. Say bye-bye to the DON and move on. You will find a job more suited to you down the road. Since you don't have to worry about money that much, you can pick and choose. At lease you resigned from your first job, I was firer. I'm not much of a nurse but I'm a good listener answer - Psychiatric Nursing and I love it. Never ever think of yourself as a failure. You are a Nurse.

Best of luck.

Merlyn, your words encouraged me!!!! Thanks so much for your post. :-)

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I too left two jobs very early. One was LTC and it just was not safe and not doable. It really sucks when it is normal for New Grads to job hop, but ultimately we are looked down upon for doing it when interviewing for other jobs - if one can get a freakin interview. It just does not make sense to me. And if you are an Old New Grad - good luck. Nobody cares the economy sucked when you graduated, they only want Newly Graduated Grads now. It is all ridiculous. I just think of all of those who have worked so hard for nothing - or having to take an unsafe job to pay the bills. What century is this people? Ok vent done, thanks.

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