Advice? Disastrous Beginning of Career

Published

I am a new nurse (2nd career, mature) who graduated a year ago. Did well in school/clinical, passed Boards first try, always wanted to be a nurse, thought I'd be great at it.

But my first two jobs have been disasters!! First, was an MS/tele 12 hr night shift at a small community hospital. Had really lousy orientation (a new "preceptor" every night) and a not-so-great relationship with the night charge. At 120 days, I had my first review ever with the charge and she gave me a poor review (not fast enough, lacking tech skills, not quick enough to call doc) and extended my probabtion period. I gave two weeks notice believing I was on the verge of being fired.

Took a couple of months off and decided I definitely wasn't a night person at my age (48 yrs.). Looked for a job in a clinical setting and found a great one!! Loved the job, loved the patients, the technical skills part was less demanding and I was doing great I thought. Yesterday, I was fired after 2-1/2 months. This had been a temp-to-hire job and the clinic (small -- only 8 people, inlcuding the doc) couldn't wait to hire me after the first month. Explanation for firing now was "it just didn't work out." When I asked "can you be a little more specific?" the answer was "you're not confident enough in your abilities." Never mentioned before ... never counseled. I also should mention I had a whopping 2-1/2 days of training for this job (but thought I was doing the job competently). The clinic usually had 3 nurses (1 fulltime and 2 parttime) and I was the only nurse there during the 2-1/2 months. I was wary of this, but took the job anyway and worked my butt off and a lot of unpaid overtime. The agency I came from was stunned when I called them as they had heard nothing negative either.

What am I doing wrong? How can I recover from this disastrous start to my nursing career? How will I ever be able to get another job with these 2 black marks on my resume? I surely can't get references from either the hospital or clinic but the temp agency is willing to give me a reference. Am I setting myself up for failure taking on these jobs with poor training? Did I get taken advantage of? I've been forthcoming in both jobs about my skill level and training needs? I should mention also that previously I worked for 18 years at the same company in another profession. Never was a "problem" employee, hard to get along with, etc. As a nurse, I've been compassionate and caring and competent, while obviously not extremely experienced.

Should I just blow off these first two jobs and position myself as a new grad? Or what? Any advice would be appreciated. I'm crushed and questioning my decision to become a nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If I were you I would look for a hospital position with a new grad program of at least 6 weeks, 12 would be better. You would then have a one on one relationship with one or two preceptors and get intensive training. Don't worry about the first two, just be honest if anyone asks why you left.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case Management.

Why not just stay with the agency and let them help you get a new job

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

lottsa luck

hopefully you will find what suits you soon

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sorry to hear that your nrsg career has started this way. Try to keep your chin up. If I were you I would rely on your agency to find you new work while trying to find a new grad program at another hosp. If other agencies are avail, you might try signing up with another agency so that you have two trying to find you work. Otherwise, you might try LTC facilities. If you get employed at one of these, you really should try night shift again. The reason I say this, is it is easier to stay out of people's radar if you are on nights. Often, it is like you don't exist when you work nights. Your chances of surviving long enough to have a work history would be better. Just a thought. Good luck. Don't give up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i would suggest some one on one counseliong with a job coach or some similar professional.....even a psychologist may be able to help.....i would hazard a bet that they see your age and dont "hear" you new grad status....and then wonder why you may be unsure of yourself on occassion...and mayber you come off as less knowledgable than you actually are......tone of voice and body language are very important..good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Lie detection.
i would suggest some one on one counseliong with a job coach or some similar professional.....even a psychologist may be able to help.....i would hazard a bet that they see your age and dont "hear" you new grad status....and then wonder why you may be unsure of yourself on occassion...and mayber you come off as less knowledgable than you actually are......tone of voice and body language are very important..good luck

this sounds like great advice to the op. definitely sit down with a job coach and work on what's "not right". we all have flaws and this will give you a head start when you go for your next job.

[color=#483d8b]

[color=#483d8b]i would not go to an ltc. just from what i've read here, it seems very overwhelming, not good for a newbie.

[color=#483d8b]

[color=#483d8b]i understand you don;t want to work nights, that shift can be hard. the pros are that it is quieter and easier to learn how to be a nurse.

[color=#483d8b]

[color=#483d8b]but on days, you have more people around to guide, ask questions and such, and you can stay awake.

[color=#483d8b]so you will first have to weight that decision.

[color=#483d8b]then i think that yes, a new grad position might be the best way to go. a nice long orientation will probably do you good.

[color=#483d8b]

[color=#483d8b]good luck, don't give up..

[color=#483d8b]

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, L&D, Home Health.

I would suggest a hospital with a new grad residency program or internship. At several of our local hospitals these programs can last up to 6 months.

I myself just left a job in L & D after orientation (not a good match) then lasted 4 months at a new company that went under. Since there is some animosity at the last place (they owe me money) I chose not to place that on my resume, and instead emphasized my previous 15 months nursing experience and the projects I had been doing at home. No one really asked about that 4 month gap. Since your agency is giving you a good reference, it might not be that bad to use. For me, I used references from my previous line of work and 1st nursing position, and my current employer (I just got hired to the ICU) readily accepted copies of my previous performance evals that I had kept.

I was really freaked out about my resume myself, and everyone told me that in nursing, it was par for the course to try a few places before finding your niche. They were right! When I applied to the hospital they called me the next day, interviewed me a few days after that, and hired me at the interview...You just need to find a place that supports new grads well! Can you ask former classmates whether they like their units?

Good Luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi! I am 41 yrs old and have been a nurse (LPN) for 18 years. I am now a night-shift supervisor in a LTC/ Rehab facility. It takes a long time to develop all the skills required to be nurse. You learn basic skills in school and the rest you learn on-the-job. It really sounds to me like you worked in 2 positions where you were not given the support and back-up you needed to gain skills and confidence. They definately did you wrong by not communicating any concerns that they had about your performance---that really was unprofessional and unkind. That being said, it's time to move on. There are many areas of nursing! Step back and look into a few different ones, home care, school nursing, clinic nursing, etc. When you pick an area you want to pursue, be honest with them at the interview. Tell them you realize you don't have much experience but that you will do what it takes to learn the job! Request frequent feed-back, such as a one-on-one conference every week or two to gage your areas of strength and areas you need to improve. That way, no surprises and they will see your comitment. I think it will work out for you. We need good nurses and you have the drive and ambition to be one! Hope that helps you! Good luck! Sincerely, DeAnn

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You need some place where there can be more structured learning, like a hospital or ambulatory surgery center, till you are more confident with skills. You just have not found your niche yet. Hang in there!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is not that uncommon, the fact is you will have to work with alot of, well lets just say personalities, in nursing. Try another job, you will find one that fits.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks to everyone who replied to me ... all of your advice was right-on and gives me a measure of hope.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion