Fired 6 weeks into orientation

[CuddleFox]

I finally landed a job a new grad RN at one of the best hospitals in the state and I was fired after 6 weeks for med errors.

Let me explain. I know med errors are serious business, but my circumstances are complicated.

The first one my preceptor gave me step by step instructions on how to deliver a med that was the wrong route. After we realized, he told the NM he never told me to give it and that I gave it without their knowledge. Meanwhile they was at the bedside with me and told me to give it.

The second error was a drug that the patient was receiving every 4 hrs and then an additional stat dose was prescribed. I checked the 5 rights, everything was identical. However, it was considered a med error because I scanned the regular dose instead of the stat dose when I gave it. Even the doctor said it wasn't a big deal. Both patients were okay with no complications.

I've learned from my mistakes, especially the first time around. I don't need to be lectured on how serious my errors were. My main concern is whether or not I'll ever be able to find another job in nursing after this. Do I put it on my resume and explain to potential employers? Or do I leave it off since it was only 6 weeks?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Those were the only incidents. I got along with the staff, had a great review session, loved the floor in general. The only problems were those errors and the fact that I asked to switch preceptors after the first incident. I feel like they hired a lot of extra people to see who would be the best fit and those issues made their decision easier.

Asking for a different preceptor is a red flag to some nurse managers. They expect you to be able to get along with the preceptor they assign you, and if you cannot, they see it as an indication that you might have difficulty being a team player. You are right about managers looking for the best fit for their unit. There may have been other factors of which you were unaware, and the med errors were listed as the most tangible reason for letting you go.

[nurse3131, RN]

I would not put that job on my resume, it is going to make you look bad..

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

The problem lies with your preceptor. He/She does NOT understand the preceptor role and threw YOU under a bus to save their face.

I am truly sorry for you that this happened during your first orientation.( for what it's worth.. I precepted many, many new grads and would NEVER think of not taking responsibility for my orinentee's actions.)

As far as leaving it off of your resume ... HE*L yes. You do not need to carry this forward into your career.

Good luck, let us know how it is going.

[Rnis, BSN, DNP, APRN, NP]

That isn't why they fired you .......that is just the legal reason they gave. ...................sorry. I would try to figure out what really 'didn't' go right and for sure leave it off your resume.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I think I can shed some light on the whole "background check" thing.

In the US, healthcare employers who receive any type of Federal funding (Medicare, Medicaid, etc) are required to conduct background checks on all employees. One aspect of the background check is to validate the applicants "true identity". They have to make sure you are actually who you claim to be - this involves looking at your SSN history. You would be surprised at how often people are using fake SSNs - sometimes due to a simple 'honest' mistake, but there may be more sinister intentions such as evading child support or other debt (IRS, Child support, student loans, etc), trying to escape the Federal 'do not hire' list or even trying to work with fake credentials as an impostor. According to my HR colleagues, it is not uncommon to uncover this during the hiring process.

I know of one instance in which a background check uncovered the fact that a person had been innocently using the wrong SSN for years!!! He wasn't trying anything sneaky - just started with an honest mistake transposing numbers that hadn't been carefully checked by previous (non-healthcare) employers. He did get the job, but it was a mess that took quite a while to straighten out.

This situation may be unpleasant for those of us who are a bit paranoid, but it is our reality, and is very unlikely to change.

[Lolo1]

First thing first, never trust anyone with Ur license ever. Second when u want to give med always check route & if confused look it up. Both of them denied u because they were protecting their own license. If possible tell them to help u do the med so u can observe first and go home & look up if their did it right, Carry drug book or Ur phone Be careful with that license is a gold & treat it like one. Good luck on Ur next job. Ppl can b mean!!!!

[MBrickle]

HR departments will do a search to determine whether you had Social Security payments and other indications of whether you received a paycheck. This will show up, assuming you weren't working for free for six weeks.

Agree that there may have been other reasons, and the med errors were just the proximate cause. Better luck next time.

And .. "they was"? The NM was at the bedside with you and the preceptor? or you had more than one preceptor? or he was there, but someone else was too ... ? Help me out, I'm easily confused. :)

I'm going to pop in and say that "they was" not doing anything, but "they WERE doing something." Grammar issues like this drive me batty!

[llg, PhD, RN]

That isn't why they fired you .......that is just the legal reason they gave.

This is probably true. I see a lot of people on allnurses confusing the two. The reasons for "firing" someone are often different that the legal justification written in the records.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

First thing first, never trust anyone with Ur license ever. Second when u want to give med always check route & if confused look it up. Both of them denied u because they were protecting their own license. If possible tell them to help u do the med so u can observe first and go home & look up if their did it right, Carry drug book or Ur phone Be careful with that license is a gold & treat it like one. Good luck on Ur next job. Ppl can b mean!!!!

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[Lolo1]

Really !!! thanks for the update.

[Curious1alwys, BSN, RN]

Hey,

So sorry this happened to you. Devastating. Being a new grad and new on a floor and just trying to fit in is so hard. Good luck on future endeavors, don't let this get you down too much.

Can I ask because I am oh so curious...what was the med given the wrong route?