Forced to resign after 7 weeks

[porkdumpling]

I desperately need advice. I was forced to resign my first new grad RN position after 7 weeks, and it's been almost Impossible getting another position. I've used sources on now to articulating my failed experience in a positive light. How I have grown from it, and why I am a better candidate because of it. I used the whole the whole positive, negative, positive formula.

I've even been told by recruiters that I interviewed so well, but the manager probably won't hire me because of it... and I've not gotten a call back yet.

Do I actually NEED to disclose this at all?!

But here is why I was forced to resign:

I was hired as a new grad RN to a med/surg unit. Orientation was 4 weeks in class, and 4 weeks bedside. Week 5, my first week bedside I was not precepted on the unit I was hired for. When I got to my unit I had a different preceptor every day, and it became evident that I did not fit in with the culture of the unit.

How I learn, is by asking (appropriate) questions. I always understood that it was good to ask questions (appropriate), it shows you are interested and actively engaged. Unfortunately on this unit, my inquisitive learning style was constantly misinterpreted as a potential error/mistake and NOT a method learning.

Some examples of my "potential errors" are:

A) Bringing an order for 75 units of lantus to my preceptors attention, (THAT'S A LOT!) questioning the order, and asking her what 75 units of lantus looked like.

-I have never seen 75 units of insulin, and an insulin syringe only holds 30 units of humalog. I couldn't fathom what 75 units of lantus looked like.

**viewed as potential medication error

B) I was in the process hanging Zosyn when my patient told me he was in pain. He had an order for prn dilaudid he could get now.

I know Zosyn runs for 4 hours. I also know give the dilaudid I needed to document a pain assessment, go to the Pyxis, get a vitals machine, document vitals, flush, push over 2-3mins,and flush. All that could take me 15mins.

I know some meds can't be given close together, So I asked my preceptor if I should stop hanging the zosyn and get the dilaudid. She didn't answer me, so I just finished hanging the zosyn then took care of the dilaudid. I did not want to make a medication error by stopping the zosyn in 15 mins to give the dilaudid, but since she didn't answer me I just finished what I was already doing.

******My preceptor told my manager I WAS NOT ASSESSING MY PATIENTS PAIN!!! I NEVER intended on holding the dilaudid for 4 hours, and that is NOT what I DID. I just wanted to know if the zosyn drip could be stopped to give the dilaudid.

When being forced to resign, what the had documented as "ISSUES" were my situation appropriate learning questions. I never DID anything wrong or made ANY errors!! I was beyond floored while being confronted with LEARNING as reason for me being forced to resign.

So- once again, here are my question.. any anyone could answer them:

A) do I need to disclose this 7 week employment on my best job interview(s)?

B) will this job show up on a background check?

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Hi Porkdumpling,

The only reason I say this, and I know i will offend many, is that I used to get into trouble constantly for asking questions like you did! You were musing about "how insulin might look". Just in sort of a dreamy creative way probably.

Asking a question "in a dreamy creative way"? That makes no sense in the context described.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

There is such a thing as a stupid question. Asking what 75U of Lantus looks like qualifies.

We've all done it. I once asked a doctor the most stupid question in the history of nursing. I learned my lesson about doing some homework before asking questions so you don't look like a total idiot.

I agree with everyone who says the OP should have looked up the patient's history related to her insulin doses, and if still not clear, looking up Lantus in her drug book or computer program before asking her questions would have been the proper action.

[Jules A, MSN]

We've all done it. I once asked a doctor the most stupid question in the history of nursing. I learned my lesson about doing some homework before asking questions so you don't look like a total idiot.

This! Yes! Its not about trying to be harsh. I'd dare say we have all been there/done that and are hoping to share our experiences in an effort to assist a colleague avoid repeating the same.

[Kuriin, BSN, RN]

Zosyn runs for 4 hours? What? Our facility, it is 30 minutes.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

lol. gotcha on this....30 years and counting in the wrong profession, but too good at it, to find anything else to make as much money

[unknownjulie]

By 'Dreamy creative" I meant that the OP's mind might have been picturing things, and running ahead of the actual task at hand. For instance, in that situation, as a new nurse- I would have been imagining 2 insulin syringes, worrying about "did I already learn this and I forgot", that seems like a lot, do you use two different injection sites?, realizing in that split second that I'd never heard of this, etc. But mainly, I'd be searching for a picture in my mind, and not finding it. So, that's why I was saying to "just deal with the reality at hand", and not voice questions or speculations to other nurses. They will not understand and might think you are incompetent. The work environment right now is highly stressed and rushed, and there is not adequate time for learning, and in that environment, sometimes you just have to take things at face value, keep your mouth shut, and follow directions without thinking. Unfortunately, that is also how mistakes are made, so it's pretty bad out there right now! I also had the good fortune to work at a hospital in the middle of nowhere for one of my early jobs, and I learned a lot there in a less harried way.

[porkdumpling]

Zosyn runs for 4 hours? What? Our facility, it is 30 minutes.

3.375 g on extended infusion runs for 4 hours

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Some wonderful advice and support from PPs.

Just wanted OP to be fully informed about whether to leave this job off the resume. Since the employment was 7 weeks, FICA deductions were most certainly processed. This means that that job WILL show up on the background check because it is now connected to OP's SSN. Failure to list it could be interpreted as falsification of information on the employment app.... could be an automatic termination in many organizations. Second issue is termination status which is commonly checked by as part of the employment process. If OP is listed as "not eligible for rehire", that means involuntary termination.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

Asking a question "in a dreamy creative way"? That makes no sense in the context described.

that you don't get it, says more about you...

[morte, LPN, LVN]

This is excellent advice and yet another area our schools are severely deficient in now, don't even get me started on the NP fiasco. It seems all the new nurses were taught ad nauseum how important nurses are with extra special alphabet soup after their names and the ability to immediately delegate the heck out of an extremely competent LPN who will always run circles around them clinically but they can't accurately draw up an injection?

Seriously nurses need to collectively ban together and demand adequate education from nursing schools. While no one expects a new grad to be an expert why is it unreasonable to expect a basic level of competence without a 3 month orientation? I'm sure this is similar to walking 5 miles to school with snow up to my knees but legit we got a few days and were cut loose.

part of the problem is that there is no such thing as graduate nurse pay level any more, in most places. nurses are started at the bottom level RN pay. this is where those nurse internship programs come in, i think.

[chare]

Zosyn runs for 4 hours? What? Our facility, it is 30 minutes.

Medscape: Medscape Access

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

that you don't get it, says more about you...

I disagree. Note "in the context described."