About to get fired. HELP!

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I am new on Allnurses and new to the nursing profession in general, though I aspire to be a trauma nurse someday.

Right now I'm an aide at an upscale LTC. I've been working there since about mid March and after some delays just got off of training about 2 weeks ago. I haven't even been by myself on all of the floors yet.

No one had mentioned any problems to me and I called my boss earlier this week to ask about getting more hours. To my surprise she informed me I have 4 shifts to improve or face termination.

All of the reasons she stated were either half truths (was running in the hall- had an emergency that morning that I was inadequately trained for and had to pick up the pace) of flat out lies (I refused to do my work)

if I get fired this early on I feel that this will be a huge setback, if not the destruction of my future nursing career, because my dreams are to work in New York City and I read on another thread that nurses don't get hired in NYC if they stayed less than a year at their first job.

I don't know what to do and I need some advice! Thanks.

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

Your dreams of becoming a nurse will NOT be over if you are fired so take a deel breath and get this into perspective.Has there been any tension between you and any staff members.I am getting the feeling that someone is out to get rid of you so they are embellishing any little thing to make you look bad or unfit for the job.Let's face it some workplaces are toxic and some employees behave as if they were still in high school.Think hard...as anything happened? There is no rule that states you can not get hired again if you are fired and they were probsbly referring to RNs.Employers do not like to see a history of job hopping or terminations.If you see the writing on the wall ,try and negotiate to be allowed to just quit.Perhaps this is not a great plsce to work if they cant even give you a chance to learn and grow....something is really wrong here! Do not fret no one has that much control over your dreams and goals...dust yourself off...get up...make a new plan and keep going.

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

Forgive typos please

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It sounds like your supervisor gave you a list of things you need to work on. Even if they're half truths, that's something. It might be a good idea to put a lot of effort into those areas and ask for feedback as you go along (from your supervising nurses). Accept constructive criticism with a positive attitude if it's offered.

As a side note, you should not be calling yourself "shortnurse3" if you are not actually a nurse. And as for getting hired as a nurse in New York, that's so far off at this point that worrying about it is not a productive use of your time and energy.

Good luck to you. I hope you can salvage this job.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Your employment or termination as an aide will have no impact whatsoever on a career in nursing.

Please change your username as you are not a nurse.

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Thank you @iluvivt for your reassurance! And I do believe that is the case. They're out to get rid of me, but I don't know why other than the fact that my attitude and theirs are greatly different. I have a happy-go-lucky outlook and love every minute of it while they count down the minutes till its time to leave. I didn't know a difference in opinions like this could get me on someone's bad list to the point of trying to get me fired though.

There was never any real tension. They're all friendly while we're working but obviously it's different behind my back. I like this job. The coworkers at least give the appearance of being civil, it's straight noc shift which works great for me, and it's personal care, so nothing too hairy pt care wise. It's also a highly respected place to work (I don't know how if they pull this bologna tho)

anyways, point is, I don't want to lose this job. And though I have the feeling the dynamic with the coworkers is going to change knowing what they've been doing, I'm just wondering if I can save this job or if I should even want to?

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It sounds like you like the job, so to me, that makes it worth saving. Take the feedback to heart and don't get defensive, and never make excuses. Own up to anything that could even be half-true and tell them that you will do better, and then DO BETTER. Being open to receiving feedback and learning from your mistakes are essential qualities to becoming a good nurse, so start practicing now. Keep up the positive attitude, and offer to help out your co-workers any time you are caught up with your assignment. Don't just do the bare minimum. Go the extra mile. If you end up getting fired despite all of these things, then you will at least know that you did your best. But chances are that if you are a hard worker and a team player, your co-workers will value you too much to get rid of you.

Good luck!

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I'm willing to bet that the NYC jobs you're after look at your first nursing job, not your first job as an aide. I mean think about it: your first job was actually probably retail. Think they'll care how long you stayed at Target? They care about your nursing experience.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

You got in trouble for running in the hall? What is this, middle school? Seriously, I have never worked in a facility where they care if you are spotted running down the hall once or twice. Now if it were a CONSTANT thing, I might understand.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Can you meet with your boss to get feedback to see if you can improve enough to keep the job. Come in early, be calm and organized, do everything you can to do a good job and to look good. Be polite, keep your eyes open. Stay positive. You can do this. And in case it turns out to not be a good fit start looking around for another position if this doesn't work out.

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1. Your boss didn't bother to have you come in for a talk. She informed you of your sins only when you called her to ask if you could pick up more hours. She didn't let you know you were in trouble. What kind of management is that?????

2. You may be young and spry and happy, but at least some of the others you work with are miserable B++++##@@'s. Your happines, your youthfulness, your joy remind them of their own broken dreams and lost youth. In other words, they are jealous.

3. Don't be yippy skippy and immature at work. At least try to put on your sad face when you're around sad and angry people. At the very least, be quiet.

4. It's very disturbing to me that your boss did #1 above. Did she give you a written plan with specific goals and expectations? Do you know how this mess started?

5. Goals need to be in writing and measurable. Your boss should give you a written plan and/or the two of you should sit down together and make a written plan. This should include when you are to meet again for review of your work. Four shifts to improve doesn't sound like very much time.

6. Do not gossip, do not share your happiness, do not share your woes, heartaches, and disappointments at work.

7. Start now to look for a different job. It really sounds like there's very little chance you will survive this one.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

I agree too.I think you shoukd ask to meet with the manager and bring you pen and a legal pad since you will be asking for a written plan with measurable goals. If they are hesitant in doing so, I would be very concerned that it is a done deal and they are just going through the motions. Just remember that you are in control of your future and your goals and it is how you respond to life's blows that matters.You will not let this one little thing stop you!

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