Worst 1st job experience

[carmella2678]

Hey all, I am a new grad and got my first job and i quit after 3 days. It took 2 months to find the job and I'm wondering how stupid that was. It was a LTC facility and the first one I applied at. It is in the process of transition and when hired was told by the DON that they are making some staffing changes because they had been having trouble. On my first night my preceptor showed me a few things but mostly sent me off to do things to help her here and there. Nobody was very friendly with me, I wouldn't say rude but not nice either. Second night I was given 15 patients to do the med pass and treatments on, no preceptor with me. So many questions and nobody would help. I left in tears feeling like a failure and that maybe I had chosen the wrong profession. On the third night I came in with a list of my questions and told my "preceptor" that I had needed her help. She said no problem, I will answer your questions after you finish your med pass and treatments, and then handed me my assignment which was 25 patients. I never got any help or any of my questions answered and again I left in tears. I called my DON and told her I needed a new preceptor and that I wasn't getting any help. She said I'll talk to her you just need to go in to work (I had been waiting for her to call me back for 5 hours). I told her I didn't feel comfortable working with a preceptor who wasn't helping. She said, " I said I would talk to her and now you are making me worried because you can't handle the job working with our strongest nurse, go to work or I am taking you off the schedule." This "preceptor" had been a nurse for 1 year and worked at this facility for one year. I asked if maybe I could be precepted on a different shift and I was told no. I felt that it was dangerous for me to be given the patient load I was given with 0 experience and 0 help. I feel that even though there is no shortage of nurses looking for jobs right now I should still be treated with some respect and so should the residents. What are your thoughts?

[AJPV]

I wish the ANA or state boards had a mechanism for reporting these types of agencies. While it might be impossible to prove they violated any law, they should face public scrutiny & pressure from our profession. If you'd like to forewarn others about their practices, there are always websites like glassdoor.com.

[gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN]

As a New grad, I had 1 month orientation with my preceptor (an Angel if there ever was one) she stayed by my side, walked me thru every situation I came across, taught me all she could about policy and procedures. I then had 1 month working on my own by with my preceptor in the building and available to answer questions. Then 1 month where she would just check on my once or twice during my shift to see if I needed anything. So my 90 day probation was one long orientation, by the time it was done I was able to handle most everything, I pray everyday for that Nurse, she made me the Nurse I am by her care and instruction. Where ever you are Bev, I will always remember you and try to pass the knowledge you gave me to all those I train!

[Lovely_RN, MSN]

I'm sorry your first experience was so bad.

Hang in there the first LTC facility that hired me as an LPN had a toxic culture similar to the conditions you described. Trust me there are better places out there that will give you a good orientation. LTC rarely gives long orientations but a few days to a few weeks working with a preceptor isn't too much to ask for. I got two weeks which wasn't enough but at least the preceptor taught me something (not much). If I hadn't gotten that I would have walked just like you did.

[nurse.sandi]

Oops. You rocked the boat. Very unsafe practice for both you and your preceptor. She or he is just as responsible as you. I would never leave an orientating nurse by herself unless it was to perform CPR. If you are orientating with me..whatever you do..so do I. Look up the word "prudent". That is the word that gets pushed around in court. Meaning it is what every nurse would do in a situation. Prudent. I think you made a good decision by quitting. It was unsafe there. It stinks looking for another job in this economy. But the alternative could be worse. And as far as a DON who says that stuff to you. She should be more worried and concerned about her license. Because after all...every nurse working under her ...she is held accountable for too. Good luck.

[chybabe]

That sounds like a dangerous place to work. Good thing you left. Hopefully, you'll find something you'll enjoy and get enough training that you need.

[honeykrown, MSN, NP]

Another positive is you dont have to use them as a reference. You are still a new grad. Good for you to leave the place.

[rhedgurlpn]

Kudos to you for leaving. You worked too hard to get your license to loose them, just because they needed a warm body in the building.

[AJPV]

In addition to glassdoor.com (which is geared more toward employees reviewing their employers), there is also insiderpages.com (more focused on customers reviewing companies - including many healthcare agencies).

It's interesting that hospitals & other agencies are really starting to care about these kind of reviews. In an interview I just had at a hospital, the interviewer mentioned that we need to be mindful of online consumer reviews and the fact that we really need to view ourselves in a customer service role. Healthcare customers are far more researched and informed than ever before when choosing providers. Wouldn't it be interesting if someone started a review website specifically for nurses, physicians, and patients to share their experiences regarding agencies. It seems like we need some pressure from somewhere to discourage the kind of unsafe practices you mention (and non-solicited praise for excellent agencies). If it doesn't come from the state boards or ANA, maybe we need a grassroots effort.

[carmella2678]

Thank you to all who replied. I am very unsure of myself because I have no previous experiences to compare it to. I had never in my life left a job sooo quickly. It just felt wrong and I knew in my heart something wasn't right but I still doubted myself. As a new grad I am grateful for this forum where I can go for support from others in my profession that have been there before or are in the same boat I am in now.

Thank you to all of you for your comments, you have helped so much!