The writing is on the wall but you are pretending you can't read it: Is it time for you to develop an "exit strategy" with your current employer?

Sometimes its time to move on and for some of us RNs and also LPNs we adopt a philosophy of the following:

1. Its my unit;

2. Its my hall;

3. These are my residents;

4. I am innocent and I didn't do anything wrong so why should I leave;

5. I will "wait it out" until this DON, administrator, unit manager, CNO, etc. leaves;

6. You are right and they are wrong and you are staying here to prove a point and based on your principles;

7. Any other excuse we make to stay in a position we now isn't working out.

If its not working out for you, then move on. Its just that simple. Apply for other nursing positions with the same, similiar, or better pay, benefits, and hours and move on. Its your nursing license that's important not your employment with a specific facility because they will "term you and report you to the State Nursing Board" faster than you can say "But I have worked here for 10 years as a RN, 3 years a LPN, and 5 years as a CNA."

The writing is on the wall but you are pretending you can't read it.

I know you have friends and colleagues who you have worked with for years or decades but sometimes its time to move on and I see this with alot of nurses I speak with in legal consultations or representation.

You can't spot the signs, then I can for you. Schedule a consultation with my office and we can talk about it. No job (and its essentially what you have with your current employer) is worth being terminated and then reported to the State Nursing Board. You are a nurse and you can nurse anywhere in your state not just with your current employer. I can assist you with your exit strategy and I do it routinely.

Don't adopt a "do or die" or "do or die trying" approach if you are working in a dysfunctional nursing environment. Cut back to part-time or prn to keep your foot in the door and then secure employment elsewhere.

Honestly this is why I never worked as full-time RN with any facility because of the drama and the work environment you experience when you work in a female dominated profession like nursing. Its a roller coaster ride. I always worked part-time or prn with one or more agencies because if I want FT drama and soap opera like behavior I get plenty in my large extended family (the majority of us live within 10 square miles of one another); I don't need drama at work also.

Don't get caught up in the unit drama or if you are caught up in it, then recognize you are caught up and you need to transfer to a different unit or change employers. These types of work environments drain your energy and you are consumed with negativity which then starts to flow in your personal life and personal relationship.

 

 

Comments

[steve]

i completely agree with what u r saying...i was fired from my job..the economy is horrible and northeast ohio is the worst place to be as a nurse..i have been out of a job for a year...when i do find a job i'll feel as if i am chained to it...i can't leave..there aren't enough jobs to go around, especially for an lpn, so if things do get bad re: drama, where do i go, what do i do?