What do I say to my new employer about the job I currently am not happy at?

iluvdetroit · Nov 23, 2009

How long have you worked there? As long as it's more than just a couple of months, is it that big of a deal to look elsewhere? LTC facilities here in my area are like a revolving door. I worked at one briefly and three of the nurses had just come there from a facility a quarter of a mile away, and all three of them were looking for jobs elsewhere already. It seems that the facilities are so desperate for help that they don't ask too many question about previous employment, they're just happy to see a living, breathing RN applying for a job!

Well, good luck. I wish I could help more.

husker_rn, RN · Nov 23, 2009

I agree with iluvdetroit but do want to add....make sure you ask questions about any new place you consider. I worked at one LTC just long enough to give my two weeks notice; unfortunately what I expected and reality were not even close. Was the worst place I'd ever seen.

iluvdetroit · Nov 23, 2009

I agree with iluvdetroit but do want to add....make sure you ask questions about any new place you consider. I worked at one LTC just long enough to give my two weeks notice; unfortunately what I expected and reality were not even close. Was the worst place I'd ever seen.

Definitely, because you sure don't want to jump from the frying pan into the fire!

I don't want to label all LTC facilities the same, but the one where I worked revolved around money, money, money, and good patient care took a far distant backseat. I had 30 residents on my hall, only one of which was ambulatory, and one week a month I was also the RN responsible for the 40 residents in an attached assisted living facility, which meant running over there for blood sugars several times each shift and having to drop everything whenever one of the assisted living residents experienced something like SOB or new onset of generalized weakness. It was the worst job that I ever had. I lasted one month, because I could see that it wasn't going to get any better. Oh, and the old man who started this facility didn't help matters when he would come in and announce to the harried employees that he was a millionaire and then stick out his hand and say, "How would you like to shake the hand of a millionaire?" UGHHH....

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Nov 23, 2009

unless they ask do not volunteer. They don't want to hear you bad-mouthing even a competitor, as that could mean you will do the same for them at some point. Be neutral and professional. "differences in opinion" or " low employee satisfaction scores" or something that does not sound like whining.

CrystalClear75, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2009

I started September 14th and all these situations as I am on orientation...it's just too much for me to handle. I'm a worry wort as it is, and if I get written up for this, I will be a wreck every time I work and I can't handle that. For all I know somebody could have an extra key made and have total access to the cart with the narcs. The system is way too old fashioned there, and I have a license to protect. I just hope I can find another job. :cry:

kh0930 · Nov 24, 2009

A good way to go is to acknowledge that professionally it is time for you to move on to further your nursing career

freefalr · Nov 24, 2009

crystal, i am so sorry for what you are going through! i am sorry you are so miserable and distressed. i know you had much higher hopes for your very first job as a nurse.

like the above posters, i think you have to be somewhat vague about the reason. i know it feels dishonest, but your interviewer pretty much expects it. if you came in and shared the real goings on, i don't know if he or she would know what to make of it.

i hope you find something else very soon! don't let this destroy your spirit. you will find a better fit elsewhere & they will be lucky to have you! :heartbeat

ktwlpn, LPN · Nov 25, 2009

Brand new nurses have a long adjustment period-we have all faced that stress. Job hopping is only going to make that worse. You have to give yourself time-you are learning and growing with each day. You will make mistakes-we ALL do..

The incidents you have posted about are not un-common. Don't make yourself sick over getting "written up" Every time you make a mistake you are learning NOT to make the same mistake again. Look into your disciplinary policy-you need to understand the steps the facility has to take regarding errors (re-training of staff,policy changes,etc) It's not a scarlet letter on your forhead-many times mistakes are caused by system or equipment failure. But when you think you have made an error you have to report it yourself right away and if you are being questioned regarding a possible incident don't make accusations or guess at what may have happened -that tends to make you look guilty of something. You have to learn to accept constructive criticism and don't fall into the "no-one else does it" trap...Accept that you may have at least been partly to blame,acknowledge that you can do better and strive to do so...The new nurse who believes that she is right and everyone else is wrong is a dangerous nurse..

Another bit of advice (coming from a recovering catastrophisor) -...DON"T turn everything into a catastrophe-for instance the narc count problem is really not so major-look at it this way-a simple drug test will clear you and it will be over.Problem solved for you.

Katie5 · Nov 25, 2009

I started September 14th and all these situations as I am on orientation...it's just too much for me to handle. I'm a worry wort as it is, and if I get written up for this, I will be a wreck every time I work and I can't handle that. For all I know somebody could have an extra key made and have total access to the cart with the narcs. The system is way too old fashioned there, and I have a license to protect. I just hope I can find another job.

Sorry dear:(.You don't sound happy at all. Please either stick it out or get another job.Nursing can be strain enough without the mental torture. ok