How often does this happen?

Nurses General Nursing

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I worked with a nurse whom was new to my unit (Critical Care) and she was doing very well. When she had her midpoint evaluation, she stated that she was told that her preceptors said great things about her and that the only things she had to work on were time management and organization which is a given since she is new to the unit and specialty. A month later, I saw this same nurse clocking out early on a 12 hour shift. When I asked her what happen, she told me that management told her that she was not grasping basic concepts and they were terminating her position. Huhn? When I talked to her preceptors (nosey, I know. lol), they said she was great and eager to learn without many mistakes. *****!?! I also talked to other co-workers and they stated the same but she was a little too quiet.

Does this sort of thing happen often? Please do enlighten me because this situation doesn't sound right to me.

Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

If you're asking if people are fired for things other than their work performance, the answer is yes. The "other things" are just not listed as the reason.

However, I doubt either side told you the whole truth.

Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

I have read other posts here on AN where new nurses are let go during probationary period and simply told that they "are not a good fit."

Other times, if NM wants you gone, s/he will go looking for errors, no matter how minor, and blow them out of proportion.

If you're asking if people are fired for things other than their work performance, the answer is yes. The "other things" are just not listed as the reason.

However, I doubt either side told you the whole truth.

I am aware that people are fired for other reasons than performance. My question is if this is something common in nursing. This is true that neither side probably told the whole truth. But the nurses who know all the juicy tidbits of gossip didn't have anything bad to say about her other than being too quiet. In my opinion, that is not a good reason to fire someone.

Is being quiet a crime? Only in nursing!

Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

I knew a CNA who got fired for having "too loud of a voice and disturbing the patients!"

Nursing, in general has high attrition rates, whether that be voluntary or involuntary.

Specializes in Pedi.
I am aware that people are fired for other reasons than performance. My question is if this is something common in nursing. This is true that neither side probably told the whole truth. But the nurses who know all the juicy tidbits of gossip didn't have anything bad to say about her other than being too quiet. In my opinion, that is not a good reason to fire someone.

It's as common in nursing as it is in any other profession.

Specializes in Medical Oncology, Alzheimer/dementia.
I have read other posts here on AN where new nurses are let go during probationary period and simply told that they "are not a good fit."

This is what happened to me about a year ago. My 1st job as a new RN. Was devastated at the time, but ended up being the best thing for me. I've been on my current job for almost 9 months and I love it.

OP, yes I think this happens often. They don't need a good reason at all to terminate someone. They can come up with any stupid little reason and disguise it as "not a good fit."

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