Fired and Devastated

Nurses General Nursing

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I am in my 50s and and put my heart into getting my BSN. I graduated with honors in May 2014, but it took me 5 months to get a job. I was so happy and loved the hospital. My orientation was extended for 5 weeks, but now, 3 months in, I have been let go due to not improving enough on my weaknesses.

I feel I was improving and would have gotten there, but they felt it wasn't enough. I think I need to work on concentrating more on what I am doing and I think having a preceptor distracted me--which is my failing. The preceptors were good, but I feel at times they jumped on what I was doing rather than let me figure it out for myself.

I accept that I need a lot of improvement, and maybe am not cut out for acute care, but I worry now that without that acute care experience, I will not be able to get a job or if I do, it would be in LTC, which I really don't want, but now feel pressured to apply for.

My home situation isn't good, and one if the reasons I went back to school was to be able to get a good job as a divorce from my husband of 30+ years seems likely. I worked two PT jobs while going to school and told him and my last child at home "to just hold on" till I graduated.

I have been fired from other jobs before, but not within 14 years. I left a job I enjoyed, but did not get paid well, to go to school, something I had wanted to do for a long time. I feel like a failure and can only imagine the emotional abuse I will get from my husband.

I really liked this job and was so proud to be hired, I know in my heart i am a smart, good person, and yes, a good nurse in many aspects, but I need to improve my clinical skills.

Thanks for reading!

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I am so sorry this happened to you.

This is not reflective of you as a person.

This is not reflective of your capabilities as a nurse.

This is not how you are going to feel forever.

This is not the end of your nursing career.

Be tender with yourself.

Get right back up on the horse. Send out resumes tonight/tomorrow.

Figure out what you learned from this so you can answer questions about it. You need to claim this experience on your resume.

If you maintained a good relationship with any of the nurses on your floor, contact them and ask if you can use them as a reference.

Chin up Buttercup. Getting fired feels like a steaming sack of dog poo and it is awful. My heart goes out to you. It will not always feel or be this way.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Look into an LTACH a Long Term Acute Care Hospital. They are willing to train...you will work hard but they will train. ((HUGS))

What is Long-Term Acute Care (LTAC) | Kindred Healthcare

Not all do unfortunately. :no: I worked for one (not part of Kindred) that gave me five days on the floor w/ a preceptor, plus a day shadowing the WOCN and one with an RRT. And those patients were sicker than on any med-surg unit I've ever worked on. And then we had online classes on stuff like chronic critical illness, sepsis, delirium, nutrition/mobility, EKG interpretation, etc. The classes were fine, but not a substitute for time on the floor with a preceptor.

Maybe Kindred hospitals are different, but I would never recommend mine to a new grad with low confidence.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

((((SweenyG)))) I'm so sorry this happened to you, and for how you're being treated at home. Nobody deserves that. I like Nola's suggestion of saying your position was eliminated...I'd hate for his verbal abuse to escalate if he got very angry with you.

Remember this is NOT a reflection on you. This is a reflection of a workplace culture that doesn't give two bits about retention. Months-long orientations used to be common; five weeks in med-surg is nothing.

You graduated nursing school after being out of school how many years (assuming it's been a few, since you're in your 50s)? You did it while working 2 jobs and raising a family? And then studied for and passed your NCLEX? That is NOT an easy feat at all!! You have a good brain in your head and are VERY capable! Remind yourself of that.

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Specializes in Mental Health Nursing.

I just want you to know that you are NOT a failure, and you can still succeed in acute care. There are facilities that have longer orientation periods or a training style that better matches yours. You didn't make it at this facility, but that does not mean that you won't make it at another. Do not be discouraged! If acute care is what you want, keep going for it. In the meantime, evaluate yourself and see how you can improve for the next job. You may not feel like it, but you have experience now and you can use it :yes:.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

I wouldn't advise LTACH as well. Contrary to what many people think, nurses' clinical skills has to be top notch for this type of facility to manage patients who are more like "stable" ICU population and stress level runs just as high or worse because of limited resources.

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

Everybody else has posted excellent advice. I can't add a single thing.

I'm always sorry when I hear someone suffering that indignity of being fired. There are a lot of us here who've been where you are..

I thought I'd never get another nursing job, but I did. You will too.

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Specializes in psychiatric.

Come on over to psych nursing! Your years of experience of dealing with manipulative people can benefit you in psych lol. Best people I've ever worked with in any career.

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

I've been fired before (during orientation as well), it sucks and it's a huge blow to your confidence. I moped for longer than I should have. Get right back in with applying to other facilities. All the best!

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

I've been fired more times than probably most nurses... but I just dust myself off and get back on that horse. Each time is just another learning experience. I've found other jobs. You will find another job. You sound like a good person.

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Specializes in Family Practice.

You are not any of those things your husband has labeled you as. You have done, which many are not doing; seeking an education to better ones self. Being fired from a job in acute care setting is not the barometer of your ability of being a good nurse. It is not the one all be all. You are wounded, and his hurtful words are not helpful. I find when people are verbally abusive they are lashing out about themselves. I love my mother but she would say hurtful things like, "you are a stupid *****!" "you are not smart enough to be a pediatrician!" Those words cut me worse than any physical lashing I would get. It was until I moved away and realize it was not true. I pursued my BSN with honors and I am currently in the FNP with a GPA of 3.92. My mother felt that about herself and attempted to bestow her misery upon me. You are so much more than you realize once you see that you will accomplish far more than you will ever know. I always believe in removing toxic people around me. They are like cancer; they suck the life out of you. Get your peace of mind first and far most and live each day as a gift to your greater destiny.

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Specializes in NICU, Peds, Med-Surg.

I'm so sorry for all you've been through!!! And on top of that, emotional abuse from your husband!!??? I wish I could give you ((( HUGS ))) in person!!!!

Oh, and GOOD FOR YOU for graduating with honors.....be proud of yourself...that is AWESOME!!!!!!!

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Thanks everyone for all the support and hugs! It really helps to know I'm not alone. I did call the career center at my college this afternoon and made an appointment to get my resume in order--something I should have done on my original job search.

I still can't make myself tell my husband. I got my car stuck in the driveway tonight and it took us 20 minutes to get it out. He was angry about that. He didn't say it, but I could only think, "This is one more thing I suck at!"

I appreciate the kind words--I thought I was a smart person--I have another BS from 1981. I went to nursing school part time for three straight years (through summers) and was inducted into the nursing honor society. But, I know that graduating and passing NCLEX is only the very beginning. I just thought I would have more time to get up to speed. But, I feel I can't fault the hospital, they were really very nice, I just wish I had better feedback and they had let me out on my own sooner--I feel they were watching me almost too much (sigh).

The Nurse manager mentioned that she had gotten compliments on me from the patients and families when she did her rounds.

Anyway, I really, really hear you and it does help.

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