advice? asked to go home during shift

Nurses General Nursing

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hi, long time lurker, first time poster

I have been practicing as a RN for almost 5 years. I have achieved some success during my time and have also learned a lot from old mistakes and habits. From January to May, I was working a FT position and was also working a per-diem position in the hospital. I was going to be awarded employee of the month at my FT job. However, I received a new job offer in a lucrative position.

I had accepted a new job and was very thrilled to become a member of this institution. I felt with my present experience and hard work, I would be able to pass orientation and begin working on my own. Unfortunately, some things were not going well, specifically communication. Monday, I was asked to go home and that they would be in touch with me. I told them how much I wanted to stay but am realistic and understand I may not be asked to. I maintained my position at my old 2 jobs at a per diem and will begin reaching out to them for a FT gig asap. However, I am still hopeful in being called back to orientation. Is it possible they would entertain the idea and bring me back, should I send them an e-mail? idk, much uncertainty.

Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.
Well, flame away, but not that long ago (a super savvy AN member can probably link it here in a flash) a preceptor posted here about having to take on a new nurse who knew it all, was so experienced that he didn't feel he needed to listen to her. It made me wonder if you're not the nurse that OP was speaking of. Sorry, but that thought popped into my head right away, from your first post and like I said in that thread, "I wonder if this new nurse is a man?" Gut feeling I guess...

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/help-i-have-988742.html

Sorry it took so long, I'm at work precepting a new nurse. (NOT)

LOL that's crazy, i am a male nurse. but what does that have to do with anything? me being a male nurse never amounted to much trouble

Sadly, that has a lot to do with it. Men are unique in the profession. Many times they are treated differently.

Do I agree with it.. of course not. I was married to a nurse. Saw him treated differently on both ends of the spectrum.

Your last preceptor had it out for male nurses. I will bet the rent on it.

Sadly, that has a lot to do with it.

Your last preceptor had it out for male nurses. I will bet the rent on it.

This statement is ridiculous! It could be that the OP overstepped his place and did more than he was supposed to do (which he admitted to). Just because your husband was treated one way doesn't mean that all male nurses are treated at way.

We are hearing only one side of the story. Kind of hard to decide categorically that the OP has been mistreated.

I think there is more to this story. Taking initiative during orientation isn't a bad thing, as long as you're safe and competent to do it. How did you "take" an extra patient without your preceptor realizing it? Why would she have reported you for doing TOO much work? Nothing in this story is adding up to me.

Interesting....you are to take the lead, show confidence and competency, take as many patients as someone would see fit, manage your time...all those things that one is supposed to do. A new grad or student and I would be all over it, a nurse of 5 years, not so much.

Was there some sort of policy that you did not follow?

There are new grad nurses on a few weeks orientation who are given such a hard time when right off the bat they can not handle 5 patients or more.

Just doesn't make sense. Except for the paperwork being late thing. That is an issue.

If I were to email (and I would strongly suggest that you do not) I would ask when you can meet to discuss your career going forward with them. When at said meeting, be concrete--and your love of the facility is a good thing, but not to base a reason not to fire you on. Timelined goals, yes-and the fact that because you are an experienced nurse, that you did not realize (nor were you corrected in) having all skills observed, or that you couldn't take on an assignment if given one (because no one just "takes" an assignment, they are handed out)

I tend to think perhaps it goes to the taking on too much and not getting charting done--or done on time thing. Good words of advice....chart as you go.

Good luck

This statement is ridiculous! It could be that the OP overstepped his place and did more than he was supposed to do (which he admitted to). Just because your husband was treated one way doesn't mean that all male nurses are treated at way.

Yes, that's me... 33 years of ridiculousness:D All that experience, intuition , and observations never happened. Never said ALL male nurses are treated that way, just this guy.

Must change my name to "never been there, never did anything".

It sounds to me like you're coming across a little to ahem "boldly" for their liking. I'm not sure why as an RN of 5 years you can't start an IV without your preceptor standing over your shoulder? And I'm just going to say it, it really sounds like you're holding back some key information.

Based on what you HAVE shared so far though, yes, it sounds like you've been fired if they sent you home in the middle of your shift. Sorry.[

I agree completely. The OP's story doesn't add up. I like this quote, "There are 3 sides to every story... Your side, the other person's side, and the truth".

There are clearly alot of information gaps here and it certainly doesn't sound reasonable for an employer to invest the amount of time and money into someone for orientation and then send them home because they stated that they were going to start an IV. It would be interesting to hear the other 66% of the story...

Regarding that earlier thread about the preceptor of the Orientee from Hell in the ED; yeah, I remember being the one saying "wonder how long before this person comes here complaining about a mean preceptor?" or something to that effect!

That said....I'm not getting the 'vibe' that this OP is purposely not disclosing something, or being disingenuous in any way. I AM getting the feeling that while the OP isn't seeing it.....there really IS more to the story than we are seeing. And I guess more than HE is seeing.

OP, I honestly don't see this panning out for you, based on what's been written here up until now. It seems a bit extreme to pull someone off a shift and send them home, with a vague "we'll call you" at the end. If it were simply a matter of not meshing well with the unit, or an issue with the preceptor, it would make more sense to bring you in at the END of a shift, discuss it, then go from there. Discuss the problem, see if you see the same problems they do....IOW, troubleshoot the situation. Not send you home during it.

I'd be tweaking that resume and calling those PRNs to see what else you can jump to. I would NOT be emailing this new job, IMHO, simply because it's not going to change their perception of you to date. Oh, I suppose you COULD email them, but I honestly don't think it'd make a difference, that's all.

At any rate....good luck to you.

I think it's pretty obvious that the OP doesn't understand what happened and why.

I would advise you to make an appointment with the manager to find out what exactly it was that they think you did wrong. I don't think it will change the course of your employment, but I do think it will help you going forward.

It may be a simple perception issue, or you may have done something that you were unaware of that was viewed by management as a terminable offense.

Like I said, I don't think talking about it will save your job, but it may help your practice.

they highlighted my lack of communication with my preceptor. it rubbed them the wrong way when i said i was gonna start an IV (i can not do so without my preceptor present) but i didn't mean it literally, i meant getting the supplies ready. i did not intend to do anything without her, i gathered supplies and waited for her. but it goes along the lines of not communicating well.

Are you kidding me? You gathered the supplies (which you are supposed to do), followed policy and waited for your preceptor and your preceptor and manager is flipping out over it?

Jeez...that would make me livid.

There must have been complaints you were not aware of.

I would not email them back. I think it's best that you start applying for new jobs.

3-4 patients on dayshift.. Are you on a step down/critical setting?

Is it possible you made an error you're not aware of?

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