First Nursing job, and I drowned!

[galenanurse]

Hello everyone,

I am so stressed, I finally was hired as a new nurse, and fired after only 3 months

I have been through hell, I went thru a divorce while in nursing school, chemo & radiation for cancer, and now I am feeling totally worthless, and am not sure if I am cut out to be a nurse?

Here was my situation, please point out where I slipped?

I was hired at a skilled nursing facility/nursing home, and was given 3 days out of an 8 day orientation period and put on the floor early due to shortage. I worked second shift, and had to come in a half an hour early for the weekly mandatory meeting. I was supposed to be on the floor by two, after report, and be ready to pass meds by 2:30. I worked the skilled until dealing with pt's the facility had never taken on before; there were 3 tube feeding, wounds, pt's on rounds the clock narc's, ect ... pt's that needed a lot of time sensitive care.

Our meeting went 3 hrs late, I wasn't allowed to start my shift until 5:30, all my feeding were behind, and when I was finally able to get out on the floor I was told I was the only nurse on both wings, with no med aide, and to top it off I had two new admits! I was very stressed, this was a huge load. I asked the ADON for help, and she said no she had to go pick out her wedding music.

I pulled out both meds carts, and passed meds priority first instead of one hall after another. I know this probably wasn't the best way to handle the shift, but I had tube feeding, and time sensitive meds that were already late, and as a new new nurse w/o experience that's what seemed right to do? I also had skin skeets that had to be done asap on our new admits & they both were on coumadin & covered head to toe with bruises!

Long story short I made a few med errors, and was devastated with myself. I was drowning with out a life boat to save me! I look back at the situation, and did the best I could, but still feel terrible. I was fired for med errors, but the DON said to still use her as a reference, that I was a very compassionate nurse, and every one liked me.

I need to get my confidence back and start applying for new jobs,My question is what to put on my applications now? I only worked there 3 months?

Thank you for listening.....

J

[RyanSofie]

Who has even heard of a weekly meeting running THREE HOURS late? If my med pass/shift started at 2:30 I would have gotten up, excused myself, and got out on the floor.

That place sounds insane. If the meeting ran that late...did the previous shift have to stay on the floor? Most NH facilities (LTC or Skilled) are for profit and cut staff to the marrow . I would have filed a complaint with the area labor board and asked for compensation for being unfairly terminated. I speak from experience as I was in a situation such as yours and terminated ( not due to med errors but due to not "washing out" nebulizer cups for reuse). I was also left with a very unsafe situation. I fought them legally and won. Nurses need to stand UP and stop cowering when faced with these circumstances. If we want to be recognized as essential professionals providing professional medical services we need to STAND up and SPEAK out to those making these decisions that allow organizations to break the law. Nurses need to get into the political forums and start uniting agains't these types of employers.

[annmarie899]

One thing is glaringly certain - this LTC facility took advantage of you, a new nurse, and then made you feel bad about it. It is them that should be reported, because they have broken so many policies and procedures it is not funny. If they had been inspected by JC while one nurse was on duty for ? how many residents - they would have gotten a huge fine. my husband is an attorney for a nursing home, and he is litigating a $50,000 fine they had levied for just such offenses.

When I was a younger nurse, about 15 years ago, I worked per diem in nursing homes. there was one everyone told me 'never go to'. Well, I just had to see for myself. I thought I had gone to hell. The frail, elderly were laying in bed with bedsores so deep you could see their hip bones and sacrums, and my job was to unpack the old dressings, and re pack their wounds. I felt so bad for them, instead of doing my 8 hour shift, I stayed 9, and still wasn't done. I felt that I was going to vomit most of the day. Where was my help? the other nurses were at the nursing station talking most of the day. Since I was an agency nurse, they were going to let me 'do it all' because I made more money.

Consider yourself lucky - you were used and abused, but you got out early, and you learned where NOT to work. You could - really - report this nursing home for so many abuses its not funny. In your spare time, look up some of the nursing home codes. Knowledge is power. Then ask for a good reference, and only accept a good one. Get it in writing, don't accept the statement "have people call me" - that is a red flag. When you interview again, and you will (there are so many jobs out there for nurses!) say, well, I realized the nursing home setting was not for me, and I decided I needed a change. . . people usually understand that. Not all types of nursing is for all nurses. When I left oncology, I simply said, "I realized oncology was not for me" and all recruiters just shook their heads and said, 'yes, I can understand that, I could never do that". Enough said. Never bash your ex employer. Never say too much. Just move on. Better luck next time!

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

YIPES!!! I work long-term care [have for 15 years] and not in my wildest dreams could I even imagine a shift that horrific!

If that place was truly that awful be thankful you were fired. I feel genuinely sorry for every resident there and every staff member trying their best to provide a decent level of care. How can that facility even remain open??? First thing I would do if I were you is call your state agency and report these deplorable conditions, second thing I would do is don't even think of blaming yourself for being put in that situation!! You did the best you could, and it sounds like you did everything possible under those circumstances. Last...get out there and look for a new, better job! Most previous employers can't and don't confirm anything other then the fact that you worked there and when you worked there. You are under no obligation to admit you were terminated, so don't bring it up. If during an interview you are directly asked why you left, don't lie because that probably means somebody at your former facility admitted you were fired, so be honest without thoroughly trashing the place! That does have a way of biting you in the rear. I don't know if the poor standard of care in that place is situation normal, but if it is believe me they have a reputation and every other health care facility around knows it and will take that into consideration so you probably will not be penalized by a prospective employer for being let go. I know that where I work we know the results of every state survey, most major incidents and all the "gossip" for every LTC and hospital in the region, and I am sure they all hear ours!

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

I hope I don't offend anyone, but you asked to point out your mistake.

I'd have to say that your mistake is taking a position at a LTC.

You didn't mention if you're an RN or LPN. If you're an LPN, I can understand why you took a job at a LTC, many hospitals no longer utilize LPNs. But if you're an RN, I would say to stay away from LTC. I wouldn't risk my license working in LTC because of the situation you explained in your post. Over worked, under staffed, too many errors start to happen, and in my opinion, its just not quality care. I know that the nurses that work in LTC provide the best care they can, so if I offend anyone who works in LTC, I'm sorry i'm not trying to. In my opinion, LTC facilities are greedy. They take as many patients as they can, and use as little trained staff as possible.

I think you should be happy that you are no longer in that situation, and that you made it out with your license. Don't worry, you'll find a new job and quickly realize how bad of a situation you were in.

Sorry but I take great offense at that! There are many great nurses working LTC in facilities that provide great care, mine included. I know there are completely crappy facilities in LTC [i am fortunate in my situation, not naive] but there are also many completely crappy hospital situations so don't insult those of us that love our work, after all nobody insulted your choice to work in a hospital.

[cherryames1949]

Gale I am so sorry that you have had such a horrible experience. Everywhere else you work will look good by comparison. Don't give up on nursing. All of the above posts have given you great advice. Live and learn.

[Platypus]

Sounds a little like my LTC job. absolutely no organized orientation, just throw you to the wolves and expect you to perform. Although - a 3 hour meeting seems nuts!! We had a new hire who went to the state with her concerns about the unsafe conditions for residents and nurses in our facility. You did not drown, you were pushed under and held there.

For what its worth, do not be hard on yourself. Your situation was impossible! This is the reason so many are for nurse staffing ratios and limits.

[MARIMA]

hi i am very sorry to hear that you been put thru that being alone with no help at all it sat so much about the place , i am an xperienced nurse and where i work i love it so much they give you so much time as a brand new nurse from 4 to 6 weeks and if you need more just ask, i understand even when we are short we try to manage but it s hard i get it , any how it is not your fault at all no one is perfect god will you will find a place that you will call your second home where u gain experience confidence and you feel being respected and treated well take your time and when you go to any interview please just be honest and explain the situation you been thru and ask for more time like few weeks of orientation and ask god for help god is great be happy you choose one of the best professions where you get to help people make some smile be positive always no matter what s arround you you can do it and am sure you are going to be a great amazing nurse god bless

[SA2009]

Congrats for getting through nursing school! Perhaps you want to look at hospitals that have new grads program with mentorship. I think particularly teaching hospitals will offer this option. It may seem late now as you already had a job, but I think it would show that you are determined to be the nurse and, with the tools provided, will be a great one.

I will start nursing school in a week and I plan to look at hospitals that will offer interships for new grads once I'm done. For me, and that goes for all professions, schools can teach you just so much, but the key is the experience you will get on the job. With our profession being so "error-sensitive," meaning an error could actually cause someone to die, I think mentorships and on the floor training are crucial.

Keep up the search and Good Luck to You!

[Fancylpn]

I love ltc, I went from Pediatric to ltc,,,,,,and wouldn't trade it for the world, I love my residents they are vets,,,,try again nurse,,,,straighten your cap and come out with your chin held high,,,,you'll find your nich:nurse:

[Fancylpn]

I love ltc, I went from Pediatric to ltc,,,,,,and wouldn't trade it for the world, I love my residents they are vets,,,,try again nurse,,,,straighten your cap and come out with your chin held high,,,,you'll find your nich:nurse: Just remember why you wanted to be a nurse......and follow your dream:redbeathe

[sandyteele]

I am very sorry that you experienced such a nightmare work experience while going through such tough personal challenges. You may think you have failed, but you actually succeeded in showing that you had a lot courage under terrible circumstances. I am impressed you forged ahead at work while going through a divorce and chemo. Two already very emotionally draining situations! You are to be admired! As a great human being and as a nurse trying to get her bearings. Good job! You can only do the best you can do, ...and that's all you can do.

When all hell is breaking loose, and you feel overwhelmed. You can start by prioritizing the most important thing , do your ABC's (airway breathing, circulation), check! Next, move to patient safety,... everyone safe...check! Next, ...meds,... dressing changes, check. Its easy to get distracted by so much going on. If you feel you need more practice with nursing skills, let your manager know. You are not expected to know everything immediately as a new nurse, but asking for help is a good first step. And it looked like you did ask for help, and you were being ignored, unfortunately. That is never acceptable. Realize this situation is ridiculous for any nurse, experienced or new, and realize your power as a nurse and take stand for patient safety. (Ears perk up when you mention unsafe conditions).

On a happy note, congratulate yourself, and be kind to yourself. For you sound like a kind and caring person who was tossed into an impossible situation, and you survived! Please don't be discouraged. Surround yourself with loving, supporting, positive people, and veer away from negative, judgmental people. I wish you the best of everything in life! Good Luck!

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

The ADON couldn't help you cos she had to go pick out her wedding music? Sorry, did I misread, was she actually at work??

You were put in a situation like me not long ago; one a new grad should never have been in. You had NIL support, and they have the cheek to fire you for med errors? I would go to any other interviews and tell the new employer EXACTLY what happened. You don't have to tell the new employer re med errors (or alleged med errors) unless you have restrictions on your license.

Be truthful. Tell the new empoyers you were put int a sitation you should never have been in, and when you asked for support you didn't get it. They will take that into consideration.

This situation wasn't your fault. Learn from it and move on. You did good I think and next time you don't get support, leave everything to get behind, and DEMAND support. Sometimes you have to get tough I'm afraid.

Some facilities will just use you I'm afraid, and boy, were you used.

Don't worry about it -just move forward and tell the truth.

And I wouldn't use that DON as a referee either - sounds like she will bad mouth you. Use somone else you worked with and go on with well maybe if you can.