What happens to new nurses that quit orientation?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 26, 2014

I guess that depends. Did you quit your job? Or did you speak to your nurse manager, tell her that things weren't working out and ask her assistance in transitioning to another unit?

Sometimes when orientees aren't working out in ICU, our manager will help them transition to stepdown. That option isn't available if you've already quit. And sometimes there isn't another job available in the same hospital system. No matter how helpful your manager wishes to be, if there isn't another job, there isn't another job.

What happens to resume? Not sure I understand that question. Do you list the job you've quit on your resume? Depends -- did you quit on the first day? First week? Final week of orientation?

It's probably going to be difficult to find subsequent jobs, but then I'm always shocked at how many new grads are on their third job in less than a year. I don't know how they keep finding these jobs.

swansonplace · Mar 27, 2014

Thank You for the info. I have not quit, but am having a hard time. My nurse manager is aware of it, and they are trying to work with me, and me with them.

If I do not pass orientation, I will ask about options of transferring to another unit if possible. Is there anything else I can do.

Currently, I am reviewing items that I am weak on, in the hopes that it will pick me up fast enough. I have learned a lot, but am not quite up to par so I am very concerned about what I can do about it.

If you have any other words of guidance that could help to guide me along, I would very much appreciate it. I will find out next week what is decided to do with me.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 28, 2014

Thank You for the info. I have not quit, but am having a hard time. My nurse manager is aware of it, and they are trying to work with me, and me with them.
If I do not pass orientation, I will ask about options of transferring to another unit if possible. Is there anything else I can do.
Currently, I am reviewing items that I am weak on, in the hopes that it will pick me up fast enough. I have learned a lot, but am not quite up to par so I am very concerned about what I can do about it.
If you have any other words of guidance that could help to guide me along, I would very much appreciate it. I will find out next week what is decided to do with me.

Good -- you haven't quit orientation! That means there's still a chance that you'll make it through orientation and, if you don't, that your manager will be willing to work with you to find you a different job that might be a better fit. Reviewing things you're weak on is a great idea. Without knowing the specifics of your situation, I cannot offer any specific advice, but it seems that you're working on it with your manager. Good luck! Be sure and let us know what happens!

vnguyen3 · Mar 28, 2014

Don't quit! If it's not an issue with your personal safety and your patients safety, don't quit. Think about it, if you're a hiring answer at a hospital, do you really want to hire someone who quit their orientation without legitimate reasons to? Im speaking on the assumption that no safety issues are present. I'm also going through the first half of my orientation in a step- down unit, many times I would go home and literally cry, because I feel incompetent and feel like I'm not doing my job right. After I cried, I'd mentally prepare myself for the next shift go to sleep and repeat. You're doing everything you're supposed to do, you're working on your weakness, hell most of my friends don't even do that. You got this, just take a deep breath and clear your mind. Don't quit, work it out within your facility. However, you do what feels right for you. You have my support my fellow newbie.

swansonplace · Mar 29, 2014

Thank you so much for the help. I am reviewing my weak points, and hoping it helps for my next day of work.

swansonplace · Mar 29, 2014

What tools are you using to build up your weak points? Is there a practical way to find areas that a newbie should know and work on? I just really need to work on getting my basics in fast.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 29, 2014

One of the biggest things we see on AN is newbies being criticized for "asking too many questions." I suspect it has more to do with asking the same questions over and over or asking the wrong questions. Others have said this elsewhere on site, and have said it better than me, but asking the right questions and asking them the right way makes a big difference.

Carry a notebook with you so that when you ask a question and get an answer, you write down the answer, remember it, and don't have to ask the same question again. Any question that you ask over and over is the wrong question!

And ask questions in the right way. Instead of saying, "How do I put in a Foley?" -- which takes no responsibility and throws the ball completely into the preceptor's court, ask something like "Mr. B. needs a Foley. I've looked at the procedure, and I think I have everything I need, but I've never done this before. Could we go over this together before we go in the room?" You've taken initiative and looked up the procedure. You've tried to gather everything you need and you've asked for specific help -- "Can we go over this?" rather than "Save me! How do I do this?"

If you don't already know, find out how to look up a procedure and how to look up a medication. Then look them up! IF you have to get to work half an hour early to look up all the medications you'll be giving that day, do so. You'll also need to study at home on your off hours. A good brain sheet helps too -- there are some great examples posted on AN. Do a search on "brain sheets."

Questions like "What are the basics?" and "Is there a practical way to find areas that a newbie should know and work on?" don't help us help you because we don't know what you know and what you don't know. And we don't know where you're weak. Ask your preceptor what to work on, or take a look at your orientation paperwork. There should be a skills check list or something similar.

Good luck -- let us know how things go.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2014

When I was a new grad, I spent time reviewing common medications and procedures before the situations presented themselves. Easy enough to do since each unit/ specialty has commonalities. I asked where the key policies were and I reviewed them.

Now that I'm precepting students and new hires I've realized that it's the initiative and self investment that can make all the difference. Everyone has weak areas. Speak with your nurse educator or preceptor and develop a written learning plan based on your personal goals.