FIRED I didn't even see it coming , Please advise

Nurses New Nurse

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I'm a new grad graduated Jan 2012 hired into a Med Surge position in a level 2 hospital in Brooklyn. one week left to be on my own and completing my 8 week orientation I get fired. I didn't see it coming, never got written up , or discipline .

only reason stated was "not a good fit"

Please give me some insight. I am confused.

Specializes in MED SURG, OB/GYN.

Thank you all for your suggestions, support, and kind words. I'm sorry that I can't reply to your private messages because I don't have 15 posts .

Keep in mind you have a legal right to see your employee file. I'm not sure if you can have copies you can see it which means you can see everything that was written about you. It could be that they didn't like your bedside manner, too friendly not enough, too fast or slow. It could be that your personality didn't mix well with the others. I have a friend that was let go in her probationary period as well from a major hospital for too much detail in her charting! How is that possible?!?! They told her after she read it that it was too time consuming for the next nurse coming on because it had information that wasn't pertinent. As others have said its a blessing in disguise and one day you'll see why. Good luck to you!

Specializes in Pulmonary, Transplant, Travel RN.
Keep in mind you have a legal right to see your employee file. I'm not sure if you can have copies you can see it which means you can see everything that was written about you. It could be that they didn't like your bedside manner, too friendly not enough, too fast or slow. It could be that your personality didn't mix well with the others. I have a friend that was let go in her probationary period as well from a major hospital for too much detail in her charting! How is that possible?!?! They told her after she read it that it was too time consuming for the next nurse coming on because it had information that wasn't pertinent. As others have said its a blessing in disguise and one day you'll see why. Good luck to you!

Once, I was on a travel assignment in Baltimore, and the staff nurses had an issue with me from the start. Reason: I had my own stethoscope.

Some of the phrases directed at me:

"Gee, aren't you just the boyscout RN coming in all prepared with the high tech equipment."

"What? Are you trying to pretend you are a doctor or something now?"

"Why would you buy that? You will never be reimbursed for it. I only buy whatever it takes to be in compliance with the uniform policy. They don't pay enough for frills like that."

Shortly after I was off orientation (lasted two weeks, the average orientation time for travel RNs), I was informed I would be charge nurse for the majority of my shifts. Then, there was a staff meeting in which the staff nurses were told they were not conducting proper assessments. One Nursing Supervisor quipped "All but one of you don't even have stethoscopes. How are you assessing lung sounds and heart rhythms? Do you put your ear up to their chest or something?"

The comments directed at me intensified for a couple days, then died out as the administration started nailing people for poor documentation and for being out of uniform (no stethoscope).

I did not renew my contract at that facility.

I am sorry about the loss of your job. During the exit interview, the NM should have explained the reasoning behind the termination. If he or she could not clarify "not a good fit", look at it as experience under your belt. As others have posted, there may be other reasons behind letting you go, such as budget cuts for the department, overhiring of staff, personal preference, not enough resources available to assist you in the learning experience of an RN, the possibilities are endless.

Keep plugging away submitting apps to facilities and departments of interest. Mourn the job loss, and move forward. Be the best nurse that you can be!

Specializes in LTC and School Health.

I'm so sorry this happened. Take a few days off for yourself then get back out there and keep looking. You may have just dodged a bullet. Some things that happend leaves us confused, and hurt. You may not even get the closure you wish to have. Just know that there is something out there better for you.

You have received some really good words of wisdom here and advice.

However, with regards to your resume, I don't understand those who basically say "some experience is better then none".

I'm not a nurse recruiter or nurse manager, but:

1)I don't think anyone is going to consider 7 weeks of orientation for a new grad as anything meaningful.

2)They probably have many others applying for the same position as you, so why would they take a chance of someone who either quit or was fired after 7 weeks?

There is a risk either way you do it, but I see the bigger one is including this experience on your resume. Still, I would be prepared to answer questions that will come up in an interview if they do find out about it.

I have a feeling you were meant for a different job, and you will be better off in the long run. Good luck!

Specializes in MED SURG, OB/GYN.

Thank you MommyofMaknchz

It just seems counter productive and defeats hospitals waste of productivity and cost . I know I was a bit slow but I'm an adult tell me what I need to work on I will fix it and will do it better next time.

After going thru my orientation I can see the reality of nursing. If your too friendly your burned in the stake if you go above and beyond and are new your creating waves. Is hard to understand the politics but I did get a first hand experience. I am sadded that this happened to me. It's shameful because I never imagine noone does that they will be that one that gets fired let alone seven weeks into orientation.

My unit was a medical surg w/ a lot of dialysis patients on ESRD.

I know deep inside is a blessing is disguise but it hurts like salt on a fresh wound.

Specializes in MED SURG, OB/GYN.

Hi Penny

Thank you for sharing.

Specializes in MED SURG, OB/GYN.

Thank you SC_RNdude

You are absolutely correct I have gotten excellent words of wisdom and caring, support from everyone here at AN.

It means a lot to me people whom share their similar stories. One day I will also be sharing this story in a much better place and others will come and read this topic and know it can and does happen.

I will not include it in my resume that I had a seven week orientation. The funny part is that I had plans to be at this hospital in BK for a minimum of 10 yrs because I was genuinely happy and didn't see any thread of been let go because I never got any verbal, nor written warning.

Hi!

I was fired during my orientation also, and like you, I never thought I'd be writing these words. I had rec. superior preformance reviews from my preceptor, and my educators just 10 days prior. I never saw it coming. And also like you, I was genuinely happy and saw myself there for a long time. (Yes, it was very stressful, but then I think all MS floors are.)

Once I got over my shock and hurt, I truly think I dodged a bullet. The hospital is a great one, it's just not very good for brand new nurses (imho). And better things are out there for us.

Hang in there--we'll make this!! (((Ms. Maya, RN)))))

Ms.MayaRN, please take this bit of constructive criticism: Brush up on your English writing skills. It may be that a fast-paced unit with a high need for precise communication requires a better command of written English. Your many misspellings and usage errors may be getting in your way.

Still, whatever it was, it would have been common courtesy to know. I sure wouldn't want to work for someone who used such a vague and pretty phoney catchphrase...there is a manager who truly doesn't care about you, your life and how that offhand reason has affected you. That was diry and underhanded in my opinion. I'm sure that a truly compassionate manager will think so also. Be up front in your next interview, and honest about your confusion. Admit you think you may have been a little slow administering medications but I think that would be an asset. As a new grad, you are unfamiliar with giving all medications and I would expect you to take the time to look it up and be absolutely sure you understood it, even triple checking the 5 rights, that does take time...and once you give it, you can't take it back. I would chalk it up to an experience, one you will look back on and resolve never to treat someone in that way when you are a manager. You sound caring and concerned, and eager to become a great nurse, a blank slate a good employer would love to mold. Good luck, and remember, not all managers are such dragons.

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