got fired/terminated

Nurses New Nurse

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I was working as a new grad RN and had a wonderful experience at a magnet hospital. However after being assigned to a new preceptor everything changed. She was very moody and changes her mind very often. I watched her picking up fights with other nurses. She has a very positive relationship with the management. Another new RN from my cohort who trained under her quit the job. I was, fired/terminated with less than 6 months of experience without any warning. She disliked me and complained to my boss in a daily basis. I was a new vulnerable nurse who's concerns and issues were not taken seriously nor heard. The firing process was unprofessional and unfair.

Now, I'm extremely worried about my future. Because many job application would ask if I have ever been fired before. What should I do? Can anyone share their experience?

dishes, BSN, RN

3,950 Posts

You need to work on a better response to explain why you were fired, "my preceptor was mean' isn't going to get you anywhere. Showing that you understand how you failed to meet your employer's expectations and what steps you took to improve, demonstrate self awareness and ability to grow as a professional. Talk to someone you trust about your performance evaluation and make a plan as to how you can improve your performance for your next job.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN

1 Article; 4,094 Posts

Specializes in Oncology.
You need to work on a better response to explain why you were fired, "my preceptor was mean' isn't going to get you anywhere. Showing that you understand how you failed to meet your employer's expectations and what steps you took to improve, demonstrate self awareness and ability to grow as a professional. Talk to someone you trust about your performance evaluation and make a plan as to how you can improve your performance for your next job.

This x1000. Almost every hospital, and especially magnet hospitals, have specific orientation checklists that outline what the expectations are for what is accomplished by a new nurse by what point. Were you reviewing this on any kind of regular basis?

Specializes in ICU.

Nobody ever sat down with you to talk about your progress? I would think they would have. We sit down at mine with my preceptor and discuss what I do well and what I need to work on.

I find it hard to believe this came out of nowhere.

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I've never completed an application that asks if I've ever been terminated from a position. I also doubt that your firing came completely out of the blue just because your preceptor was mean. That is not generally how magnet hospitals operate

NOADLS

832 Posts

I've seen this story told so many times on here where a personality mismatch with a preceptor has cost someone his or her job. The solution is ever so simple: kiss your preceptor's ass until you are free of his or her grasp.

So many new graduates learn the technical ABC's of things that they forget they are working with people.

Sour Lemon

5,016 Posts

I've seen this story told so many times on here where a personality mismatch with a preceptor has cost someone his or her job. The solution is ever so simple: kiss your preceptor's ass until you are free of his or her grasp.

I tried that once upon a time and it didn't work. Luckily, management had mercy on me and assigned me to someone else.

Sour Lemon

5,016 Posts

I was working as a new grad RN and had a wonderful experience at a magnet hospital. However after being assigned to a new preceptor everything changed. She was very moody and changes her mind very often. I watched her picking up fights with other nurses. She has a very positive relationship with the management. Another new RN from my cohort who trained under her quit the job. I was, fired/terminated with less than 6 months of experience without any warning. She disliked me and complained to my boss in a daily basis. I was a new vulnerable nurse who's concerns and issues were not taken seriously nor heard. The firing process was unprofessional and unfair.

Now, I'm extremely worried about my future. Because many job application would ask if I have ever been fired before. What should I do? Can anyone share their experience?

If you made it to six months then you were off orientation, right? What reason(s) did they give for firing you?

YesYesRN

40 Posts

Nope, it was not done. Also there was a remediation form that my boss did not do. She just fired me without offering any remediation

blondy2061h, MSN, RN

1 Article; 4,094 Posts

Specializes in Oncology.
Nope, it was not done. Also there was a remediation form that my boss did not do. She just fired me without offering any remediation

They don't need to offer remediation if you're on orientation. Usually there's a certain probationary period where you can be easily terminated. But also, usually there is a discussion on a regular basis with your preceptor and occasionally the education department on how your orientation is going. This isn't remediation- just part of orientation. What did they say when they fired you? I highly doubt it was "We don't like you, you're done."

Mhsrnbsn

104 Posts

Specializes in Huntingtons, LTC, Ortho, Acute Care.

I precept new nurses regularly; I have had personality mismatches a few times and I am honest with my manager. "This nurse and I are on different levels, and I think they'd benefit from a new preceptor" I personally have never tried to let personality clashes cost anyone a job, but not everyone is as considerate.

word to the wise for future jobs if you have a personality conflict say so from the beginning! Don't be indirect "she's mean, she's impatient" give examples! "When I asked her why we did a procedure a certain way she was very short with me and I felt like she was giving me an attitude" and send it on company email. I have my paper trail ALWAYS, if you don't get satisfaction from your direct manager the first couple of times you bring up an issues CC subsequent emails to the nurse in the education department. When you're new you try to go with the flow and not make waves but if you are being treated unfairly by a preceptor you most certainly should understand it can affect your future with the company so if sucking up to the preceptor doesn't change their attitude you need to have your ducks in a row to protect your job.

Editorial Team / Moderator

Lunah, MSN, RN

14 Articles; 13,766 Posts

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I've never completed an application that asks if I've ever been terminated from a position.

Really? Most applications I have seen ask "Why did you leave?" under each job description. Seems like that is where someone might disclose termination.

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