Fired during probation... what now-- more than 1 yr RN

gypsyd8 · Oct 24, 2014

I hope you don't get hit by a truck. Just keep moving along and doing what you are supposed to do. You made it to the end with only 2 weeks left so you can make it for another 60 days. I hope you have a supportive preceptor now. Let us know how it goes.

I am on my own now.

thanks tho.

dream'n, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2014

I know you said you were embarrassed to talk to your old classmates about what happened, but perhaps you should reconsider. Since you've been out of school for more than a year or so, some of those classmates may have built some seniority where they are working and be able to help you with good job connections.

Maybe volunteer at a smallish nursing home/SNF to do things like read to patients, etc. That way you'll be in a position to exude positivity and to become friendly with other staff (especially the DON). Then maybe after getting to know and like you she will waive the 'year experience' and give you a nursing job.

CloverPark, RN · Oct 25, 2014

Hi! So sorry to hear about your experience I can relate. I worked as a tech for a year at a prestigious hospital. I was in the float pool, and soon found a unit that I absolutely loved: trauma/vascular/surgical. I got along so well with the other nurses and felt so comfortable there. When I finally passed my NCLEX, I actually held out until a position was available on that unit. THAT'S how much I loved it. Well a position finally opened up and I applied and was hired! I was so excited and nervous at the same time. Even though I loved and respected my co-workers, I felt as though I had more to prove since I worked there frequently as a tech. I was diagnosed with ADHD about a year prior to landing that RN job. When I was given a warning about being late at times passing meds, I completely panicked and told the nurse educator about my ADHD. I assured her that I often had a "slow start" when starting a new job, but once I got the hang of it, I excelled and always performed extremely well. I was known on that unit as being an "awesome" tech (if not the best, according to others) and let her know that in the beginning, it took me a bit longer than most to work out my routine/time management. She knew as well that I was a very good tech, and seemed understanding. She assured me that "everything would be fine" and that I would do great. She thanked me for letting her know about my situation and told me not to be embarrassed (I was sooo scared to tell her, since only immediate family members knew of my diagnosis). I felt so much better after talking with her, but unfortunately, the very next day, I received a phone call from my director saying that I was not to return to work until we had a meeting. Mind you, we had just had a meeting (the one where I was given a warning). We were unable to have the meeting until the following week. When I showed up to the unit, the director informed me that we would be meeting with HR. I knew what was coming. We went to HR and all the lies came out: I was "late administering insulin" (not true, NEVER gave insulin late), they had an MSN speak with me about my situation to offer help (not true, although I did briefly meet this woman, and all we did was introduce ourselves, nothing else), among many other false criticisms for which I strongly defended myself/proved them wrong. I explained that my first preceptor did not make time for me to teach me the correct ways in doing things, and so I requested a new preceptor, who did teach me well, but I was not given long enough time to show improvement, even though I did improve. In fact, the charge nurse the weekend prior made it a point to tell me that I was doing very well, appeared confident and managing my time well, etc. Basically, what I got from all of this is that the director completely freaked out when she heard I had ADHD and wanted nothing to do with me at that point. I regret ever saying anything about it... Anyways, so only 4 1/2 weeks into my orientation, I was fired, regardless of all the points I brought up. Mind you they expected me to only be on orientation for 6 weeks, preferably less. And this is a large level 1 trauma center with so much going on. I was so sad to leave the unit I loved and the coworkers I admired and appreciated. And especially the patients, who were always thankful and always told me I was a great nurse.

I lost my dream job. I was devastated. For the first few months, I was too traumatized to look for another job. When I finally got enough courage, it was extremely difficult maneuvering around that giant question mark on my resume. Then I just simply removed that nursing job from my experience. I only included my tech job. That's when I started receiving callbacks. However, in job interviews, the fact that I went so long without a job looked bad. "Why did you quit the tech job?" "Why didn't you get a nursing job there?" Difficult questions to answer without lying.

Almost a year after I was fired, I was finally given a chance by a subacute rehab unit in a nursing home. I want to point out though, that I physically went to this facility (as well as several others) as opposed to filling out online applications, which proved to be a waste of time. The director interviewed me right there on the spot and appeared ready to hire me, but decided to have me come in the next day, in which she could have a meeting with other supervisors/staff members. And I was hired that day! I was again excited and scared, but learned from my mistakes. I have been at this job for 9 months now, and I am happy with it for the most part, although I see myself going in a different direction eventually. I have come to the conclusion that I do NOT want to work at a large hospital again. Maybe a small one. Ideally, I would love to work in a wound care clinic, as I have become fascinated with wound care and really enjoy it. For now, I am getting my experience here, and hope to be certified in wound care once applicable (with continued experience) and eventually attain my MSN.

Good luck! Don't let this destroy you! Like others have said, this was probably not the place for you. You will find something somewhere where you will feel comfortable and successful. Things don't always happen the way we want them to, but in the long run, it's usually for a reason. Good luck in your future. Believe in yourself. Gain confidence. You can do it! Don't ever let others define you. You know you are better than that.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Oct 25, 2014

I did not read all of the replies (and I will, just wanted to get this thought off to you)--go to a professional and have them help you with your resume. A professional job coach can also help you with interview skills. "Management did not feel I was a good fit for the unit, during my probation period I was unsuccessful in meshing with the culture on the unit" whatever spin you can put on it, but do not trash the facility, do not trash your preceptor ("I worked under a less than desirable preceptorship program, hopefully in the future they will have better outcomes") Acknowledge and move on with the interview.

Best wishes to you--and I am curious, what did you do prior to becoming an RN? Would you be happier as a CNA or LPN teacher, a school nurse, case management, home health....if you can combine your previous experience with your RN that could be really cool for you!!