Fired from my first RN job after only 2 weeks.

[Mountainrnbsn]

I am a new grad who graduated this summer with my BSN. I was let go from my first nursing job only after 2 weeks. I graduated with honors and had my capstone in a busy Emergency Department. I started my first nursing job on a busy orthopedic floor at a trauma 1 center. It wasn't what I was passionate about but wanted to give it my all. My real passion is ED, but I knew that I needed to get ICU experience before I get to the ED. The orthopedic floor would help me get my foot in the door for a trauma 1 ICU. I was hired along with 5 other new grads. Are orientation was only 5 weeks long but the director told us that if we needed longer that it would be okay. All other new grad started out with taking care of one patient at a time while my preceptor gave me 5 my first day. I found it difficult to find a routine and I was penalized for even asking questions or not knowing the answer to question. One of nurses on the floor noticed that I was being criticized more than the other new grads and that I should request another preceptor. Director told me it wasn't possible and the next thing I know the education department is following me around. They suggested that I spend another week on days, (I was hired on nights) and that I go down to two patients. I agreed, thinking it well help me develop a routine so I can provide safe care for my patients. The whole orthopedic unit moved from 20 bed unit to a 40 bed unit and nurses were taking on 8 patients at a time. They pulled me into the office last week and gave me some recommendation which I truly took to heart and made myself a whole new brain sheet and even came in an hour early to prep for the day with permission from the director. Yesterday they pulled me into the office and said that I have two choices, either I was going to be terminated or I could send her my letter of my resignation. The director told me that didn't have time to teach new grads how to real nurses and that I would never make it any hospital. She said I would be better off in longterm care where there is less critical thinking. She said I shouldn't bother applying to new grad programs because I would fail at those too. I don't feel like 5 weeks of orientation is enough to provide safe care for patients especially for new grads. I don't want to believe her but I feel like a failure and wasted my time becoming a nurse. I really am passionate about being in the ED nurse one day. I was an EMT/firefighter for 6 years before I went to nursing school. I'm not sure where I should go from here. I also moved to the city for this job. Any advice would be appreciated.

[elijahvegas, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

Ill never understand how nurses can say to new nurses "you'll never be cut out for this" or something along those lines. like..who among us knew anything as a new grad, and what gives you the right to predict what type of nurse someone will be in the next 2, 5, 10 years to say that someone will NEVER get the hang of it?

i can understand if we're talking about a nurse thats been working for 5 years and says something like "uh why cant we just fast push lasix?" maybe then ill think something along the lines of "yeah...i dont think you're cut out for this" but come on..statements like that are completely unneccesary and uncalled for

[Racer15, BSN, RN]

I only had 2 weeks of training as a new grad. I think new grads are spoiled nowadays with such legnthy orientations and want their hand held and caudling the entire time. I know I sound mean, but I repeatedly see new grads like you, where your not prepared by the end of orientation, need to extend orientation etc. etc. Nursing is hard, especially acute care, some people just don't cut it. Some new grads don't ever catch on and are so slow about eveything, not just slow with tasks, but slow comprehending and prioririzing and want to take the long methodical way to do everything-ot look like a deer in the head lights when you explain the simplest things. That's great if you have 1 patient, but it will never work on a busy unit. You're not a nursing student anymore!!

And I don't believe you had 5 patients on your first day! Maybe the nurse had you take report on them and you helped, but no way she had you do all the assessments, med administration and care under her license without at least seeing you do an assessment first.

Did you also walk barefoot in the snow, uphill both ways to school each day? Congrats, you were putting your patients at risk with only two weeks of orientation! No new nurse is ready to be on their own after two weeks! It's dangerous in my opinion. No new grad is ready to take their own assignment after two weeks. I don't care how awesome you think you were back in the day, this kind of attitude is dangerous.

[Ben_Dover]

I am a new grad who graduated this summer with my BSN. I was let go from my first nursing job only after 2 weeks. I graduated with honors and had my capstone in a busy Emergency Department....... I really am passionate about being in the ED nurse one day. I was an EMT/firefighter for 6 years before I went to nursing school. I'm not sure where I should go from here. I also moved to the city for this job. Any advice would be appreciated.

I always say this --- that it doesn't really matter if you're a Straight Triple AAA student. Having a great common sense is also a big plus once you get into any field, well most especially "Nursing".

They saw that you weren't a great fit and must have a great reason why they let you go.

Look at it this way, they did you a favor before anything bad happens to your patients and your future. Be thankful and move on.

Wish you the best of luck!

[3ringnursing, BSN]

You had quite the experience from hell. My God ... I'm so sorry for what you must endured.

New grads need to be properly trained in the routine of bedside care - not spanked and told you'll never amount to anything. WTH? Where would we be if no one ever replaced those of us whom retire?

We were taught the basic nuances and principles of nursing in nursing school - the real nursing experience begins on the job, and never ends until you finally retire. To get all that a proper orientation has to occur.

I had 6 weeks of orientation in 1994, but my preceptor was there for me long after that ended. She answered questions, provided basic guidance, and was a sounding board for many of the complexities of the new career I was embarking on. She was wonderful, and she should ascended to sainthood. I loved her with all my heart, and was very grateful for everything she did for me. I still am, and remember her fondly.

Take a deep breath, and start your Job Search afresh. There is a perfect place out there for you.

You WILL learn, and you WILL do well! You will!

Your enthusiasm says a lot. You seem willing to take constructive feed back and reorganize your professional actions accordingly (not everyone is). Bonus points in your favor.

And in 20 years from now, when you are the nurse manager of your own unit, you will never, ever do this to a fresh, nervous new grad.

Don't throw in the towel - who will be my nurse when I am old (older) and sick? We need new grads!

You can, and will succeed. Now go show them all what you are made of my friend.

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One more thing to consider: you made it through a rigorous nursing program, AND passed the NCLEX. Does this sound like someone who won't ever make it in a nursing job?

Also, nursing is like a huge diamond (I've said this an awful lot lately) with many facets comprising the professional nursing field. To say you'll never make it anywhere is absolutely ludicrous. Don't listen to that garbage.

[Reyn04, MSN, RN]

As a new grad in PCU I was given 5 months of orientation but most of my classmates who accepted med surg positions were given 6 weeks.

That being said, it sounds like your preceptor was not meeting your needs. If you were started with 5 patients in week 1, you should have spoken up at the start that the expectations placed on you were unfair especially in light of the other new grads assignments. My problem was the opposite & I was only being given tasks rather than building skills to manage a full assignment. I actually spoke to staff ed via the new grad portion of my orientation (asking who they felt I should address) and they ran with it. By the following weekI was transferred to my night shift preceptor to train with her. MUCH better fit.

In your place, I'd still file a complaint with HR especially if you requested a new preceptor and/or more time and were refused. But beyond that, move on.

On another note, 8th grade I had trouble with science. I failed more than passed (uncommon for me) the teacher told me I should "Stop wasting (my) parents money & get my a** in public school where I belonged!" (Catholic private school). I now hold an ASN, BSN, & MSN all earned with honors. This is why I tell you:

I'm not sure what issues they had with you but the statement the boss made about you're not being sussessful in any position are unprofessional & likely wrong. Personally nothing makes me happier than to prove some idiot like that wrong, so find a job that will help you do that. Even if you never see her again, with each new success you can think of her & think "suck an egg, look at me now!"

8 patient assingments are not appropriate in any hospital I've worked at in 3 states. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise.

[guest52816]

No, she's not.

According to my NM (you cut out the rest of my comment), they are. You should probably check with your facility.

[guest52816]

Did the manager actually specifically say that the orientees are operating under the preceptors license? If so, they either misspoke or misunderstood.

Or, did the manager simply said that the preceptors need to actually participate and not just sit back and let the orientee figure it out themselves?

The preceptor has a responsibility to make sure that their assigned patients are cared for, of course. They also have a responsibility to make sure they are actually teaching the person that they are supposed to be teaching. But everybody works under their own license and is responsible for the care that they provide.

She actually said they operate under preceptor's license. Yeah, as I already said, she wanted preceptors to understand that orientees weren't simply there to pick up the slack, while the preceptor lounged.

Yes, my preceptor actually would put her head down on the desk (I work night shift) and attempt to sleep while I did all the work.

I suggest that if folks have questions regarding this issue, they check with their individual state BON. Perhaps that is the best solution to this vexing question.

Why do you think my preceptor always wrote a patient stating that I was providing care, but under HER supervision?

[Joel001]

Do yourself a favor DO NOT PUT in your application this experience. You were short changed and it wouldn't be fair for you to explain this situation in an interview. There are two sides to a story. It usually takes a new grad to find a job about six months. Don't give up and keep applying.

[new gal]

You seem very passionate...they are lucky to have you. Best of luck

[new gal]

So so so correct. I am not a nurse (nursing student) just started clinicals in our LTC facility. The work load alone blows me away, and the nurses there that know it like the back of their hand is the added bonus. I think they are amazing.

[new gal]

Oh can you feel the burn!

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

I always say this --- that it doesn't really matter if you're a Straight Triple AAA student. Having a great common sense is also a big plus once you get into any field, well most especially "Nursing".

They saw that you weren't a great fit and must have a great reason why they let you go.

Look at it this way, they did you a favor before anything bad happens to your patients and your future. Be thankful and move on.

Wish you the best of luck!

You hear now and then that the nurses who made the best grades in school don't make the best nurses. In some cases, it's true, but I don't really see a correlation. You can make just passing grades and become a great nurse, but there are plenty of excellent nurses who made excellent grades. As for common sense, I am a huge proponent, but it needs to be well-founded in your knowledge base and experience. Virtuoso musicians improvise after they learn the score, not instead of. And any reasonable orientation will avoid putting you in a position to harm your patients or yourself until you have proven your ability. It's just commonsense.