Fired after 3 weeks!!!

[leelee85]

I started my nursing career in a 24 bed pediatric CVICU and I loved it. Unfortunately my husband is in the military so I had to leave after being there for just over a year. Finding a job in our new locale was tough, so I took the first offer- Adult ICU at a small 8 bed community hospital. I was excited to learn a different aspect of nursing and to become a more well rounded nurse. My orientation was 8 days long. I asked for a longer orientation and other than that, I felt as if things were going well. I go in this morning for a meeting with the manager and he says, "I'm sorry to say, but we have to terminate your employment." After being caught COMPLETELY off guard, I ask why. His response was, "I made the mistake when hiring you of not realizing that coming from a specialized pediatric unit that you would be lacking such a broad adult care knowledge base." Dumbfound and on the verge of tears I said ok and left. I had NO feedback whatsoever about my performance from preceptors other than a nurse being rude and saying she couldn't believe I didn't know what Iodoform was and that I had never packed a wound. I know that I don't know much about adult ICU nursing, but I'm a fast learner, I helped other nurses on the floor and I was really looking forward to learning more. I learned so much in CVICU and the acuity of pt's there was WAY higher that this adult ICU floor. To make matters worse, the Holidays are just around the corner and now I'm jobless. I was told to get my ACLS cert before the end of my orientation so I forked out cash that I didn't have and now this! I feel as if my termination is unfounded and unjust. I had no idea my 8 days on the floor were not up to par and that it was a test to see if I was suitable. My resume said I had 1 yr. PEDS CVICU experience and I made that clear during my interview. My question is, should I try to appeal the decision? Contact a union rep? How do I now explain getting fired to future employers? I feel like my career is ruined, I'm frustrated, depressed, broke and i'm bitter that I left a job I loved to follow my husbands career. Thanks for listening to me rant any input is appreciated.

[nursel56]

Just want to say I'm sorry this happened. S-U-C-K-S. In addition to what everyone else has said, you need to fight off those mental demons that tell you it's you. It's a break in your stride that you will overcome.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Just want to say I'm sorry this happened. S-U-C-K-S. In addition to what everyone else has said, you need to fight off those mental demons that tell you it's you. It's a break in your stride that you will overcome.

THIS.

Dust yourself off, keep looking.

That unit did you a favor; you are a far better nurse to be on that unit.

Best wishes.

[Sugarcoma, RN]

I would most definitely leave this off your resume. This was not your fault. A manager hired you knowing full well what your experience was and then expected you to transition smoothly to a new specialty with only 8 days of orientation? The failure in this scenario was his and his alone. Sounds like they needed a fully functioning Adult generalist ICU RN ASAP (probably short staffed) and when he realized how specialized your knowledge base was decided to cut you loose and start over. Crappy thing to do right before the holidays.

I would be angry for sure, they treated you poorly, but your ego should remain intact! He hired the wrong person given what his needs were. I am sure if they were better prepared to train you properly you would have no doubt excelled in this position as it sounds you had in your previous position. Their loss.

If you are interested in other positions at this facility or this is a small town, few opportunities etc. I would contact the manager either by phone or email and make sure I was eligible for re-hire. If he says no you could then contact HR and see what type of recourse you have in order to be eligible for re-hire. Or if this is a union facility I would contact them first.