I graduated with my BSN in nursing May of 2010. I was accepted to a post bacc program and was going to start the program after graduation, but decided to defer my acceptance for 1 year to earn money and to make absolute certain that I couldn't be happy as a nurse. I started in the ICU and did not like it! The politics, the non-supportive management, wanting to learn the in depth knowledge that the physicians knew, I despised everything about the job. I am now more certain than ever, that medicine is the field I want to go in. I really wanted to stick it out until May (that's when I will start the post bacc program) but I couldn't do it. I gave my manager my resignation letter this week, and now I'm a little worried at how this will look to ad comm's. I know this will be a red flag and make me seem indecisive. Is there anything I can do these next 4 months that will strengthen my application now that I have this red flag on it. I was thinking about starting volunteer projects, or begin getting research experience. What do you think? I know I made a mistake, but any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Quit my job, need advice!
- Thread starter Smb8041
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Is there any way you would consider another critical care unit? Listen, I can't count how many units I have worked in over the years. Some are better to work in than others, and there is always the isse of trade-off. By this I mean that sometimes you put up with some cattiness so that you can learn the specialized knowledge that can be gleaned in certain units or areas. Sometimes it was that I worked in crazy busy or at times grueling places to learn, but also i was working with a cohesive supportive group of people. This is the key IMHO...finding a supportive & good group of people to work with.
This can be challenging in the field of nursing, but don't give up. Do you have at least a year or two of ICU? 3 plus years is better, but you may be able to get into another unit as a per diem nurse. At least consider PT in another unit---or try to get into an ED RN position.
Pm me. I'll get back to you. It may take me a day or two, but we can talk. I have many years intrensive care experience in many area, including open heart adults and peds.
Try to overlook my errors. I still haven't gotten used to typing on a flat screen, and I'm using my IPAD now.
This can be challenging in the field of nursing, but don't give up. Do you have at least a year or two of ICU? 3 plus years is better, but you may be able to get into another unit as a per diem nurse. At least consider PT in another unit---or try to get into an ED RN position.
Pm me. I'll get back to you. It may take me a day or two, but we can talk. I have many years intrensive care experience in many area, including open heart adults and peds.
Try to overlook my errors. I still haven't gotten used to typing on a flat screen, and I'm using my IPAD now.
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Two questions:
1. have you had a job with responsibility that you've liked?
2. what's your plan for handling politics & non-supportive management as a physician?
You'll likely get asked during interviews what happened with nursing. Have an answer. That's all.
Best of luck to you.
1. have you had a job with responsibility that you've liked?
2. what's your plan for handling politics & non-supportive management as a physician?
You'll likely get asked during interviews what happened with nursing. Have an answer. That's all.
Best of luck to you.
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I agree w/ what the others said: just be sure you have a good explanation when, in the future, you are questioned about this in interviews etc. Otherwise, don't worry! You're young, this is the perfect time to be discovering your likes/dislikes in a work environment. If you hated your job that much then it's good that you quit. No need to be miserable. (I had a similar situation: I graduated in May '10 and quit my job last month. however, i worked as an assistant at a law firm, so that's a bit different... I'll be starting a post-bacc program in the fall as well). In the meantime, maybe volunteer in other clinical settings? Try to find a different sort of RN job?
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Wow, your story is remarkably similar to my own! First off, let me offer you some encouragement. I completed my BSN, worked for a year in critical care, went off to do post-bacc and have been accepted to several MD programs. This is definitely do-able!! While your work experience is a bit shorter than mine, I don't think these next few months will become a red flag as long as you do something productive. The suggestion to seek per-diem RN work is a fine one, especially since you don't yet now how demanding your coursework will be in post-bacc so flexible hours are ideal. I also think starting research would be fantastic particularly if you are interested in attending a research focused medical school. In the meantime I would also take the time now to reflect on your experiences in the ICU. What did you like most? How were your interactions with doctors, other nurses and other healthcare team members? What types of patient interactions did you have and how did they affect you? Writing some of this down will help you write a killer PS and will be a great resource for you while interviewing. Additionally, I hope it will help you focus on the positive aspects of your experience. If you do ever get asked why you quit your job so many months before starting post-bacc I would be sure to focus on your desire to transition to medicine and how the new activities you pursue tie into that. I doubt an adcom will be bothered about a few months since you were bound to leave anyway. It's far more important that you have a well thought out answer to "Why medicine and why not nursing?"
