New Grad Rn Discharged . . . What's Next?

Nurses New Nurse

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Recently I graduated with my BSN. I pass the NCLEX with 75 questions. I landed my first nursing job at an LTAC facility. The managers compliment my work weekly. One supervisor express how impress she was with my adaptability and management; she mention that I probably will become charge nurse quick. I thought my career was off to a good start.

Then, a little over 2 month in my orientation, I started being passed around to different preceptors. Reminder, I was with one awesome preceptor who felt comfortable with letting me manage 4 pts by myself. Basically, my preceptor had become my resource nurse.

So, the first three preceptors were ok. One out of the three did chew me out for not informing her of my med pass and not taking lunch around noon. However, I did not take it to heart. The last two preceptors I had were the worst.

The LPN act totally frustrated with me. She constantly rolled her eyes at me and made shady remarks. I ask her to sign off on some paper work stating that see witness me perform a task and she replied with " I am just a LPN, I can't check off any of your task. So, try to perform them later." I did not understand why they placed me with her. Then I over heard her talking negatively about me to the nursing secretary.

After, I had a short orientation evaluation. I express how disorganized my training had become and how difficult it is to work with rotating preceptors. I voiced my concerns and management replied that they would investigate and try to kept me with my initial preceptor.

The fifth preceptor was awful. She would not do anything but sit behind the desk and text. By that point I was so ready to quit. However, quitting was not an option due to my financial responsibility. The final straw, I was managing 5 pts. 1 hostile pt that was on a PAC pump and suicide precaution, 1 disorient, hallucinating pt who would not stop yelling "they are trying to get me and my money", 1 aggressive bed bound pt who kept spitting in staff face and making attempts to get out of bed, 1 stubborn pt who refuse to take any meds, which I explained, printed off materials, and addressed concerns, and 1 angel (lol). I had the same patient load for 4 days with little help from my lazy preceptor. The aggressive pt resulted in needing blood due to massive blood lost from wounds/ulcers.

I never administered blood products. I informed my preceptor. She took control and got everything without explaining much to me. Then I was given paper work to fill by the pharmacy. I went to my preceptor for help and she told me " figure it out."

I did what I could. I received help for some of the traveling nurses. After reporting off to the upcoming nurse, I pulled my charge nurse aside and inform her of my preceptor's behavior, attitude for the complete week. The charge nurse replied with "She is just trying to teach you independence. I will talk to her."

When I returned to work from my 2 days off, I was discharged under the "without cause" policy which the nursing supervisor wrote she was displeased by the report she received from my preceptor.

5 preceptors, 8 day left in orientation, discharged, really?

Now, I have been unemployed for 4 months. Applied everywhere. Two interviews, no hire. I am frustrated. I was tortured the entire time I was in nursing school. I guess that is the leisure of attending nursing school in a small city. Everywhere I went someone in scrubs and a rn tag is hovering over me. One nurse stalked me in the lipstick section and followed me to the registered, she left the registered once I handed the cashier the lipstick. Many nurses grilled me out for things I was not taught. Some of my classmates (majority of who parents held high positions at hospitals), reported to my dean that I was weird and they believe I have some mental challenges. Yes, my dean pulled me in the office to discuss that.

I thought once I became a RN I would not be reject by the nursing community. Now, I am living back in this parallel city and nothing has change. I still see some of the same nurses in Walmart who still stare me down and frown. I don't get it. I have always been an easy going, nice person.

Is there any place in American where new grads are welcome and experienced nurses are accepting? I am tired of feeling like I am being haze into a community of spiteful nurses.

Advice, tips, help is needed.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Moved to AN's First Year After Nursing Licensure for peer support and advice.

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This type of BS makes me extremely frustrated with nursing. This incident would drive me to pursue higher education in a different career.

Get out of your state, and find a job somewhere less hostile and rude. This whole story sounds shady and terrible.

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Thanks, I am trying to move to another state. @NRSKarenRn I have found other nurses who are experiencing similar situations. I love this site. There are a lot of helpful resources.

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Specializes in CEN, CFRN, PHRN, RCIS, EMT-P.
Thanks I am trying to move to another state. @NRSKarenRn I have found other nurses who are experiencing similar situations. I love this site. There are a lot of helpful resources.[/quote']

Best luck to you, I can relate, I was a paramedic before becoming an RN and went through similar issues with nurses. It gets better when you find a place with good nurses. Not everyone is a good human being.

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Every now and then I get that "oh she's the RN" attitude? It is annoying because we are all there to help the residents at the end of the day.

By the way it sounds - thats not a good place to work anyway.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

" Everywhere I went someone in scrubs and a rn tag is hovering over me. One nurse stalked me in the lipstick section and followed me to the registered, she left the registered once I handed the cashier the lipstick. Many nurses grilled me out for things I was not taught. Some of my classmates (majority of who parents held high positions at hospitals), reported to my dean that I was weird and they believe I have some mental challenges. Yes, my dean pulled me in the office to discuss that."

Seriously? You feel as though they are stalking you now? Hmm - maybe time to relocate.

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Specializes in CEN, CFRN, PHRN, RCIS, EMT-P.
" Everywhere I went someone in scrubs and a rn tag is hovering over me. One nurse stalked me in the lipstick section and followed me to the registered she left the registered once I handed the cashier the lipstick. Many nurses grilled me out for things I was not taught. Some of my classmates (majority of who parents held high positions at hospitals), reported to my dean that I was weird and they believe I have some mental challenges. Yes, my dean pulled me in the office to discuss that." Seriously? You feel as though they are stalking you now? Hmm - maybe time to relocate. [/quote']

Or talk to HR and a lawyer.....or therapist.

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@libererated847 You would be surprise what organizations in a small town can get away with. I just leave it in God's hand. I am a firm believer that no deed (good or bad) goes unaccounted for.

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Specializes in GI surgical.

I wish I could have a preceptor. My probation period was 2 weeks. My preceptor was on 2 shifts with me which were hectic. We're only supposed to manage 8 patients at a time but on my 2nd shift I was told to manage 14. :(. I hope it gets better for you! I'd put a complaint in and find out why you were discharged. If your first preceptor was friendly can you not find out why you were given others?

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