Advice on peer feedback

[BobtheNurse]

Hi. I need some advice. I'm a relatively new nurse with about 3 years experience as an ED nurse. I recently left my first hospital in order to work with an agency. I completed two contracts with that hospital and was told at the end that they wouldn't hire me because of complaints about me from other nursing staff.

I got a position as a staff nurse in another hospital, and today I was told they were firing me because of complaints about me from the nursing staff -- while I was still in orientation.

The first one I was willing to chalk up to being an outsider, or getting on somebody's bad side. But now that it has happened twice I am rather worried. In both of these instances, the nurses I actually worked with on the floor gave me excellent feedback face to face, and in the first instance all I spoke with were actually shocked that I was leaving. In both instances, I never had negative feedback until the manager called me into the office to tell me they were letting me go because of negative feedback.

That worries me because I never was told of the negative feedback, if for nothing else than to know about it so I could work on it. And it never involved compromised patient care. The news today, for example, was that one of the nurses had complained "I wasn't excited enough about learning, so I wasn't a good fit for the unit." And that was an excuse to fire me?

After my initial reflection of wondering if I WAS doing something, I have to conclude this is poor management practice. Both of the units I was working for are short nurses, and rather than let me know about the concerns and give me an opportunity to correct them (or even give my side of the story about them...), I was simply let go. No warning. No probation period. Nada. Is there anyone else who has had similar experience?

What I'm really concerned about now is that since I have two hits in a row on my resume, it will get very difficult for me to find a new job if it appears I am a problem waiting to happen, as the original hospital I started at has a hiring freeze supposedly due to the economy. Anyone have any advice on this?

[caliotter3]

I can't say that I have any advice to give you. Whenever management gives negative feedback but refuses to back it up with specific instances that you can follow up on, you have to suspect that the "feedback" was made up. Never be surprised by anything that management does or fails to do.

[NC Girl BSN]

I think it would have been good for them to give your more feedback on your actions. I also think that there may be something about your personality that rubs people the wrong way. If it would have happened at one place, then we can write it off. But for it to have happened at two places then there is a trend. I think you should ask people that are close to you about your personality and if they think that you give the wrong impression to people. The one job said that you did not have enough enthusiasum. I am not saying run around like your happy go lucky but they must sense something in your facial expression or the way you come across when in the public eye. I hope that you can get better feedback in the future but you need to be honest with yourself and figure out what's wrong with your personality that people don't like and try to fix it.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

hi. i need some advice. i'm a relatively new nurse with about 3 years experience as an ed nurse. i recently left my first hospital in order to work with an agency. i completed two contracts with that hospital and was told at the end that they wouldn't hire me because of complaints about me from other nursing staff.

relatively new?? maybe your skills are not up to par? i know you said you worked for 3 years in the ed, but 3 years still is not a long time. most agency/traveler nurses i know that do well have 20+ years experience. the ones i know with less tend to struggle.

after my initial reflection of wondering if i was doing something, i have to conclude this is poor management practice. both of the units i was working for are short nurses, and rather than let me know about the concerns and give me an opportunity to correct them (or even give my side of the story about them...), i was simply let go. no warning. no probation period. nada.

unfortunately this might be because the expectation of agency nurses is high! if you are not meeting those high expectations, which is possible since you are relatively new, then this may be the reason that they choose not to renew or hire you on as core. many facilities have very very little tolerance for agency nurses who have areas of weakness. they want perfect and very highly adaptable experienced nurses. thus, they do not want to train them which are why facilities hire agency vs. core.

the news today, for example, was that one of the nurses had complained "i wasn't excited enough about learning, so i wasn't a good fit for the unit." and that was an excuse to fire me?

if you are agency, yep.

btw, i agree with the others some of it may be a personality conflict. on the other hand, even if it may be the perception that you are not willing to learn and that you may not be aware that you have areas where you need to grow, i feel the true reason boils down to the nurses feeling you should know more then you do. at least that is why i have seen nurses non-core nurses have contracts expire, fired, or were not later hired on.

anyone have any advice on this?

is it possible to return to your first employers as a regular staff rn in the ed or on a med surg floor? i think this may be a better fit, but i do not know you or your circumstances.... gl!

[Magsulfate, BSN, RN]

I think it would have been good for them to give your more feedback on your actions. I also think that there may be something about your personality that rubs people the wrong way. If it would have happened at one place, then we can write it off. But for it to have happened at two places then there is a trend. I think you should ask people that are close to you about your personality and if they think that you give the wrong impression to people. The one job said that you did not have enough enthusiasum. I am not saying run around like your happy go lucky but they must sense something in your facial expression or the way you come across when in the public eye. I hope that you can get better feedback in the future but you need to be honest with yourself and figure out what's wrong with your personality that people don't like and try to fix it.

I agree with this. Ask your close friends/family,, see what they say. I even have to work on the vibes I send out. lol... I can't act totally myself at work, I am too goofy, and that gets on people's nerves. SO, I go into work, I act very professional, smile a lot,,, and ask people about themselves. ANd of course, I kiss everyone's butt... haha not really,, but sometimes you gotta be nice when you're the new person. Not really kissing butt, but being the person they want to work with. Whatever that takes.