Advice needed! I think I am being phased out...

Nurses Career Support

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic.

I have had some ongoing troubles during my new grad orientation, that I have previously posted about, regarding lack of guidance and proper training...being put into unstable high acuity patient areas before I am ready, when I was previously told by management no new grads start in those areas straight off orientation...high nurse turnover and constant shortages so that my preceptor takes their own patients rather than support me.... I know the department I am in is not working out on many levels and have started looking for another job. The good news is I have an interview at a different hospital that previously offered me a job after I had accepted at the job I am at now. In the meantime, I am left with a problem that I would love some feedback on.

My orientation was extended, week to week. I was taken off the schedule that came out for when I came off orientation, and told to work what the NM gave me, week to week. I have done this for 2 weeks. On my last day of the week last week, I couldn't find her to ask her when to come in this week--normally she found me and told me the days. I have emailed her twice to ask if I am coming in this week, with no response. I am debating calling her either tonight or tomorrow, but wonder how much should I push this? I feel like she wants me to quit. We have our differences, and I have a preceptor who is argumentative and twists my words to the NM. It has led to miscommunication, and my NM shutting me down when I approach her for any reason at all. My feeling is she is trying to squeeze me out, so she doesn't have to fire me, as she really doesn't have real good reason to fire me. I haven't done anything wrong. It feels to be a personality conflict, along with miscommunication from my preceptor to her, whether deliberate or not. Throughout all this I have maintained tact and professionalism, even when feeling greatly frusterated.

I want to be professional and show I tried contacting her for a schedule, but how far do I go--what is my professional responsibility here? Do I try every day to reach her, or let it lie and wait for a resonse. At this point, if I am not welcome back, it wouldn't be the end of the world, as I am so miserable there, and I can just focus on my interview Wednesday. I just want to know where I stand though as it has my stomach in knots!!

Thanks for any input, it is most appreciated.

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So you are actually in control here. She may want you to leave, but she's not gonna be the one to get rid of you. Awesome. You have the weapons of torture then kiddo (yay \o/). You've got an interview with the other place too! Sit pretty and go to your interview and see what comes of it. Don't let them push you out of the old job before you decide you're leaving. Get that unemployment money. Keep the emails, if it continues, cc it to human resources.

See feels good to be in control.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

Yep, what netglow said. Keep the papertrail and cc it off to HR.

Good luck on your interview!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Be very careful about assuming that you are not supposed to show up for work. That may just be the excuse that this (very bad) manager would use to terminate you for cause due to job abandonment. That would end up as big negative on your job history.

If you cannot communicate with your manager, make an appointment with HR to discuss the situation - in person is better.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
Be very careful about assuming that you are not supposed to show up for work. That may just be the excuse that this (very bad) manager would use to terminate you for cause due to job abandonment. That would end up as big negative on your job history.

If you cannot communicate with your manager, make an appointment with HR to discuss the situation - in person is better.

Definitely agree. Make sure there are well-documented attempts to find out your work schedule. Put your requests in writing -- copy HR -- talk to HR -- etc. Don't assume you are not supposed to go to work. Your NM can say that she told you when to come in and you didn't show up.

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I think you have been given great suggestions. I would definitely include HR closely. Actually I would make it a very friendly note.

I appreciate the extensions of my orientation. While the floor is not what I anticipated when I took this job I am learning and working on fitting in. My NM was presenting me with a schedule and this week I have not been able to get in touch with her. I do not know when I am to report to work. I have left voice mail, email, and notes but have yet to get a response.

I am concerned that something may have happened to her to make my scheduled work time a low priority. I do not want to miss work time and leave the unit poorly staffed. I would appreciate any help you can offer.

Just a suggestion as to push the issue without calling her names while showing yourself to be responsible.

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic.

Hi all~ I just want to update you on what has transpired. I gave my notice a few days after my original post, which my manager readily accepted. I met with her the following day to review what she thought was going poorly and i was pleasantly surprised to say it wasn't anything! She was misinformed on 2 things, and the other had to do with a staffing issue. I was glad I made the decision to go in and review what was to be in my file. So I had some misinformation corrected, left on good terms, eligible for rehire. I felt certain I made the right decision and still have no regrets and love the hands on experience and all the cool things I got to do. I was fortunate to have an interview at another hospital on a cardiac step down unit and was offered the job a week later! I started orientation and am in love with the new facility, and the people are so FRIENDLY and HAPPY--how refreshing! I have heard great reviews about this floor from others and feel so blessed to have followed my instincts in getting myself out of that ER while I had a chance. I feel I will want to do Er again in the future, at my new facility, or elsewhere, but not back where I came from. I have met other Er nurses in my new orientation who had a few stories to share and why they will never go back to my old facility--I have to say that made me feel a little better too. Anyway--feeling great these days and looking forward to better days!! The moral of the story here, trust your instincts :)

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Anyway--feeling great these days and looking forward to better days!! The moral of the story here, trust your instincts :)

Absolutely. ^^ So glad things are working out for you! Thanks for the update.

i_smile.gif

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Hi all~ I just want to update you on what has transpired. I gave my notice a few days after my original post, which my manager readily accepted. I met with her the following day to review what she thought was going poorly and i was pleasantly surprised to say it wasn't anything! She was misinformed on 2 things, and the other had to do with a staffing issue. I was glad I made the decision to go in and review what was to be in my file. So I had some misinformation corrected, left on good terms, eligible for rehire. I felt certain I made the right decision and still have no regrets and love the hands on experience and all the cool things I got to do. I was fortunate to have an interview at another hospital on a cardiac step down unit and was offered the job a week later! I started orientation and am in love with the new facility, and the people are so FRIENDLY and HAPPY--how refreshing! I have heard great reviews about this floor from others and feel so blessed to have followed my instincts in getting myself out of that ER while I had a chance. I feel I will want to do Er again in the future, at my new facility, or elsewhere, but not back where I came from. I have met other Er nurses in my new orientation who had a few stories to share and why they will never go back to my old facility--I have to say that made me feel a little better too. Anyway--feeling great these days and looking forward to better days!! The moral of the story here, trust your instincts :)

So happy for you. :-)

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