I was let go from my first new grad job this morning on a busy Med/Surg unit. I was on week 5 of my 12 week orientation and had 4 patients. Most nurses have a normal load of anywhere from 5-6. My manager took me into her office and told me that I am not efficient enough My preceptor even told them that I refused to do a PICC line dressing on a patient. That is NOT true. I had never done one to begin with, and I had asked my preceptor if I could watch the first time and next time I would do it. She said that would not be a problem. I told me manager this and she would not give me a response.
I had also written on my Facebook status that I was stressed out at work trying to get into the swing of things, learning how to organize and pace myself. My manager had a PRINT OUT of this and told me that saying this was unacceptable. I was in no way rude or derogatory. I had even written on there that I was using days off to practice prioritizing my work days.
I tried to tell my manager this and she would in no way listen to me. She told me that I may be a good nurse somewhere else but not there. I dont know what to feel
I honestly feel like I will never be a good nurse. Is it normal to feel this way? Back to the drawing board of applying for jobs. I am guessing I wouldnt even use them for a reference since I wasnt there long enough.
WOW. That facebook thing is so bizarre. What you said isn't even bad, it reflected how you felt which is NORMAL for a new grad in your position. You weren't doing anything unethical or giving away private information. You were simply stating you were overwhelmed, which is expected!
You don't want an unfair nurse manager like that anyway!
well, I know exaclty how you feel! I also had a very "bad" manager, and that's putting it nicely! And I also had a preceptor who would exaggerate the "uneffectiveness" of my skills as a new nurse! I was in a specialty unit, which was a horrible unit for a new nurse to start off, because they didn't usually hire new grads in the first place, why they decided they would? I still don't know! But in the end I saw my manager creating a paper-trail heading towards me being fired, so I quit. I believe in my case it was worse, b/c my manager caught a med error I made on the paper MAR and basically had me reported to peer review! So for 6 months I tired to "roll with the punches" as I thought it was a all part of the new grad experience. But no, I couldn't handle it anymore and I was pregnant as well, and all the stress created by this manager with a vendeta out to get me was not helpful. So now, Im trying looking for a job but really it may have to wait until after I have my baby to be fair.
As for the FB post, that really irritates me! FB is not a place to vent and also keep all your setting to PRIVATE! I have mine that you can't even find my FB page when you search my name on google! But com'on as new nurses we NEED to vent somewhere! All we need is for our jobs to monitor our Allnurses usage and then print those out and say "look what you are saying online!" really? If you don't like what we have to post, then don't take the trouble to look at what we are saying!
They do have software that can trace you in FB. That is why I don't use my FB anymore.
If your privacy settings are all set as viewable by "Friends Only," your statuses won't be visible, and any sort of software used to "mine" a particular user's statuses wouldn't be able to access it (and if they did, that would be akin to hacking into a private account). Either the OP had someone from work added (NEVER add people from work!) and they ratted her out or her Wall is publicly visible. That being said, I think the comment she made was relatively tame. OP, sounds to me like perhaps they didn't like you and were just looking for ANY possible excuse to fire you.
If your privacy settings are all set as viewable by "Friends Only," your statuses won't be visible, and any sort of software used to "mine" a particular user's statuses wouldn't be able to access it (and if they did, that would be akin to hacking into a private account). Either the OP had someone from work added (NEVER add people from work!) and they ratted her out or her Wall is publicly visible. That being said, I think the comment she made was relatively tame. OP, sounds to me like perhaps they didn't like you and were just looking for ANY possible excuse to fire you.
I used to work as a programmer in an e-commerce company and in an anti-virus company before I became an RN and we made a software that can "spider" the internet against our competitors but you could be right.
Not true! Who hasn't been stressed out at work? A lot of people talk about having a bad day at work. It is part of our everyday lives. She didn't say anything wrong on FB in my opinion. The hospital did NOT have a reason to fire you because you did Not do anything wrong!!! Maybe you didn't fit into their little clique. That is probably what happened. Find another job and in the meantime, look up alternative nursing careers or go back to school to become a lawyer like me. I have been a registered nurse for 16 years. No other profession treats people this way. And we call ourselves professionals? I would have gone up the chain of command or followed the grievance procedure while filing for my unemployment! I would have turned the responibility back on the manager since she was supposed to be coaching you and she should have provided feedback on-going with a plan to assist you. I'm just saying!
Never ever let them know any negative or personal information about you, such as going through divorce, private your personal life and never let them see you sweat! Always be professional!
I am so sorry that this has happened to you. FB comments can really bite people. You really didn't say anything negative about the employer. However, lesson learned, never comment about work, ever. for now, I would take your FB page down, as you are looking for work. Potential employers do look at that stuff. Not that you have anything really bad on your page, but complaining about being overwhelmed(normal for new employee BTW) may hurt your chances of getting hired. If it is between you and another candidate, the FB may be a deal breaker.
As others have posted, keep your settings private. And, limit the number of friends. I am amazed at the number of FB friends that people have. I only have close friends and family as friends. Basically, I use it as a means of keeping in touch with long distance friends. I keep it light. Never give TMI for others to view.
I am amazed at the stuff people put on their page. And, the people who talk about having a hangover, or want to go out to party. Or, cry about their love life. Really, stuff should be personal and not shared with everyone who can read it.
I think that FB can be used in a positive aspect, as far as networking for a job.
You have learned a harsh lesson. But, that is how we progress in life, by learning from our mistakes. I will reitrate, I do not think that you said anyting terrible. However, others may view it, differently.
It sucks to be terminated. But, you are not a failure. Pick yourself up, and get back on the horse. Maybe, stay away from FB for awhile.
I am willing to bet that something changed in your census or administratively behind the scenes with the budget and they had to make cuts. Don't take this to heart because it sounds like it had nothing to do with you. It's a sneaky underhanded way to cut the budget and make it look like your fault. More and more employers are using this tactic and taking advantage of good nurses in this downtrodden economy. Put this experience behind you and move forward, there are still some wonderful employers out there.
My preceptor even told them that I refused to do a PICC line dressing on a patient. That is NOT true. I had never done one to begin with, and I had asked my preceptor if I could watch the first time and next time I would do it. She said that would not be a problem. I told me manager this and she would not give me a response. 
TeleMeMore
51 Posts
WOW. That facebook thing is so bizarre. What you said isn't even bad, it reflected how you felt which is NORMAL for a new grad in your position. You weren't doing anything unethical or giving away private information. You were simply stating you were overwhelmed, which is expected!
You don't want an unfair nurse manager like that anyway!
You will do bigger and better things!