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?

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I had some tough preceptors when I was a new grad. I learned quickly to use my resources before asking questions. I then taught my orientees the same years later. I told them not to cheat just by going to someone else and asking instead of me. I was probably tough, but they all told me when they were later on their own they appreciated knowing how to use their resources. My hospital has numerous resources- an online library, an online procedural database, all of our policies on our internal website, and Micromedex with IV compatibility and drug info. Not to mention pharmacy, and a decent EMR. We have a library with medical librarians willing to teach new employees how to use these resources. Perhaps ask nursing ed if there is someone you can talk to about learning how to best utilize available resources? The other upside of this is I learned I could get off site access to our library and tools from home which helped emensely when I wrote my thesis.

[Irish_Mist, BSN, RN]

I was once precepting a new nurse who drew up 3 units of regular insulin, in a 5 cc syringe. She obviously didn't know what she was doing, and that is worse than asking a question.

Oh my GOD.

Terrifying.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

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.

I'm curious about the most stupid question in the history of nursing. That would make a great thread, and I'm sure it's a great story.

[softrbreeze]

My first job out of nursing school, I encountered a similar situation. I just didn't fit in with the culture of the unit. In fact, while they were undeniably good nurses, their personalities were awful. They suggested I leave willingly, which I had planned to do anyway, but I wanted to know what their reasons were- their response? Ridiculous things like I called for some fast food to be delivered without asking if they wanted any (I actually did try to hunt them down to see if they wanted to order also but they were off unit), I didn't get up to check out an alarm once (No one did and I had not been told it was my sole duty, which it wasn't), etc. My point is that if it's not a good fit, just be glad you got out before you wasted too much time and energy trying to please people that can't be pleased. You do not need to let a potential employer know about it at all. Just keep marketing yourself to the best of your ability. You will eventually find your niche.

[Jules A, MSN]

I'm curious about the most stupid question in the history of nursing. That would make a great thread, and I'm sure it's a great story.

Not a stupid question but I once had a new CNL orientee who felt she was far superior as compared to my lowly associates degree. When I was showing her how to give her very first injection (note Masters level nurse never gave an injection in school) she attempted to argue with me about where the medication should hit the ticker mark. It was all I could do not to snatch that syringe from her and jam it in her gluteal region.

[Toytoy4u]

I would not mention that experience on my resume or interview. Btw, I would rather have a nurse ask a question than not and then make a critical mistake. Try to research first, if you have time and then ask questions. Preceptors should have patience as well. Too often, nurses are forced to precept and it doesn't turn out good. Lastly, depending on your specialty/type of unit, there are medications, dosages, etc that you may see in one area and not another.

[TriciaJ, RN]

Not a stupid question but I once had a new CNL orientee who felt she was far superior as compared to my lowly associates degree. When I was showing her how to give her very first injection (note Masters level nurse never gave an injection in school) she attempted to argue with me about where the medication should hit the ticker mark. It was all I could do not to snatch that syringe from her and jam it in her gluteal region.

I once oriented with a Masters level nurse who had already had a job teaching nurses. We had to get signed off on tuberculin skin tests. She drew hers up, but we had to wait for the instructor to come around before we could administer them. Because "you never ever recap a needle" she laid the syringe with the uncapped needle down on the table. She looked like a deer in the headlights when I told her that needle was contaminated and couldn't be used. A minute later I had to persuade her to drop it in the sharps box because it wasn't safe to leave like that.

As far as asking dumb questions on orientation: it always worked for me to tell my preceptor my line of thinking and ask if I was missing anything. It showed her that I did have critical thinking skills but gave her opportunity for input. This way I wasn't expecting to be spoonfed and I wasn't making dumb errors from not asking.

[Libby1987]

Not a stupid question but I once had a new CNL orientee who felt she was far superior as compared to my lowly associates degree. When I was showing her how to give her very first injection (note Masters level nurse never gave an injection in school) she attempted to argue with me about where the medication should hit the ticker mark. It was all I could do not to snatch that syringe from her and jam it in her gluteal region.

What the heck is a ticker mark? I tried to search it but coming up with nothing other than a financial symbol. Well then, maybe she meant the money shot

[Jules A, MSN]

What the heck is a ticker mark? I tried to search it but coming up with nothing other than a financial symbol. Well then, maybe she meant the money shot

Sorry about that meant tick mark. An old term indicating the line/dose you are aiming for? Hopefully I'm using it correctly.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

I'd also say your precepter and you were certainly not a good fit. I would think a preceptor should expect "dumb questions" in the beginning, and not go crying to the manager everytime.

The pain thing gets me- you werent assessing their pain??? so why the hell would you be giving them dilaudid? duh.

The insulin thing, well I have seen higher doses.

As a learning point- when you have med questions, it sometimes helps to see what the pt's PTA( prior to admission meds) is- do they take this at home? Or you could always clarify with pharmacist. This stuff may add 5 mins to your work, but it wouldnt involve another nurse.

I really think you had a crappy precepter too. Total conflict.Sorry. some people should not be precepters

How would knowing the home meds have helped in this situation?

It sounds like she had a nasty preceptor who couldn't be bothered to answer a reasonable question. OP, don't mention this job in the next interview or resume. Leaving it off of the resume and then bringing it up in the interview would definitely tell me you are trying to cover it up. Either put it on the resume or don't, but you can't do it both ways and appear trustworthy. Take a job wherever you can get it so you can get in at least a year's experience. Never mind a particular specialty or facility. Get hired and put this behind you.

Some syringes can hold 100 units and Lantus can certainly be ordered higher than 75. I don't know what schools are teaching these days, but they do their students and those who have to train them in the real world no favor.

Try not to think out loud with your next preceptor. Of course, as fate will have it, the next one will think you're unfriendly and a know-it-all for not talking much. Just kidding - you just never know what you will get. It's probably a good thing you didn't stay there. A new preceptor every day? Many of whom probably feel resentful and burdened by preceptees. Insane approach to training, especially having you on other than your home ward. Sounds like a bad place to be a new graduate. Good luck.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

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.

So you are saying that access to one'e entire life is available to a potential employer because of the SSN? Big Brother has certainly become way too big if that is so. I am not sure that is so. Perhaps HR experts or Employment Law attorneys could tell us more.

Not Eligible For Rehire doesn't necessarily mean terminated. Often, they let you resign - probably to avoid paying Unemployment Compensation.

[GM2RN]

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.

I can't say this would happen in every case but I have left TWO jobs off my resume and they never showed up on a background check. I've also read plenty of posts in the past where others testify to the same thing, so it's not a done deal.