Fired and Devastated

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. 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.

((((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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!!!!!!!

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.

Nobody is perfect, far from it. You "sound" like you've been beaten down into a pulp of no confidence. There may be areas of nursing that you need more coaching in, but it should be given in an atmosphere of patience and humor, encouragement and reward. I encourage you to seek counseling to build yourself up from the inside out. There is no shame in that. When you endure years of lack of respect and love from your spouse, you begin to BELIEVE IT. My friend, you must love yourself first, even if your spouse doesn't love you like you deserve to be. Then, you can go on to give to others and be more open and relaxed to learn. If you are not fitting in well with acute care, RN's can specialize in all kinds of areas - find out what you love and what you are good at and zoom in on that field. For example, are you really good at starting IV's? Join or start up an IV therapy team in your facility. Are you good at wound care? Join or start up a Wound Care Team - all requiring further studies, but hey, make yourself a specialist in an area you love. What about working in a physician's office? You could become the right hand nurse for a really good physician in an area of medicine you love - cardiac, respiratory, gastro, OB/GYN - you name it, be creative. But please remember to heal yourself as soon as possible. Having the right kind of love and respect for yourself is the foundation of a good nurse and human being. You deserve that for yourself.