PLEASE HELP! fired/demoted RN still on orientation

Nurses General Nursing

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I've seen a few threads along these lines which have helped me feel "not alone", but I have a few questions I haven't seen the answers to.

I started out on a cardiac/step down unit and was told if it wasn't a "fit", they would help me find another floor. I anticipated this switch as I was struggling to keep up on some levels... first job outside of home after 15 years, "adult learner", etc. Last week, the charges/acting director met with me, and as I had anticipated, they deemed I wasn't a "good fit". No write ups/med errors, just not catching on quick enough. HOWEVER, instead of the move to another floor, they told me there was no other position available (despite the med-surg floor offering double overtime to nurses because they are so short), and offered me a position as a tech or sitter! You can imagine my complete devastation. It has taken me a good week to even get out of bed.

I was informed by HR that if I didn't accept one of these positions, they would have to report the firing to the licensing commission which would affect future jobs, if any. I'm in NY. Is this true? Is everything ruined now because I didn't fit correctly?

In the meantime, the Chief Nursing Officer called me in to offer me "another chance on a different floor", though I won't know for sure until Friday that that offer still stands and have very quickly put applications into other facilities while I am technically still a "nurse in good standing". I am extremely disheartened. On top of that, I'm a single parent and have no way to pay my bills in the upcoming month without a job.

Definitely on the pity pot, but looking to get off! Any input would be appreciated!

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Sounds like it is bordering on constructive dismissal, but it is premature to guess, wait and see what 'another chance on a different floor' turns out to be.

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Are you an RN?

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I am a new RN, yes. Graduated in December, passed boards in February. Is "constructive dismissal" a nice term for forced resignation?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Sounds like it is bordering on constructive dismissal, but it is premature to guess, wait and see what 'another chance on a different floor' turns out to be.

This.

Find out if they are going to offer another nursing position; if not, start looking for your next job.

I was deemed "not a good fit" from my first hospital position; I have yet to be reported to a licensing board about that; I now work at another hospital in another specialty.

I have never heard of being reported for poor performance, nor for med errors, etc to a licensing board; most are reported for diversion, failure to rescue, and if someone was declared mentally incompetent or grossly negligent, which sounds like you were neither of the conditions that I stated above; however, I am in a neighboring state and only know of what my state entails.

Best wishes.

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Replied below... wasn't sure where to reply!

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Thank you. I'm going to check with the Board of Licensing tomorrow, but still kind of in panic mode and completely unsure of what my future holds.... whether I can pay the bills next month, etc. I worked so hard for this (single parent with 2 developmentally disabled children), and to "fail" within the first 3 months is just overwhelming.

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I wish I had some wonderful advice. I can relate to your post in a lot of ways. All I have to offer is your not alone. I am also in orientation and not getting things quick enough. It's really hard making that transition from school to RN. I'll keep you in my prayers.

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I'm slightly confused. By tech sitter do you mean that you'd be a task nurse where you can still check/pass meds etc, or do they mean you'd lose access to everything, become a tech and get paid as one? The second one I don't think is legal. I know when I graduated I had to balance between passing boards and finding an RN job because once I passed boards I'd have one month before I couldn't work as an aide anymore. Once I passed and was transitioning into the new job they only let me work as a telemetry monitor tech. however if you'd be a task nurse id probably jump at the chance. Tasking is great. However, I'd probably just take the move to the new unit. Work there for a year and then find a new hospital if you don't fall in love with the new unit.

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Hang in there! Can you talk to a union rep ?

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If they're paying you the RN wage, take the job as a sitter. You're going to be doing a lot less work and getting paid the same. You can look for another RN job while you're working as a sitter. This way you still have connections and a job.

Hang in there! Can you talk to a union rep ?

Being unionized is not an open invitation to being able to get away with underperforming. If you can't handle the job then management has every right to tell you about it, give you a chance to improve and then terminate when there is no sign of improvement.

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Sounds like threats to me. Telling you if you don't take a tech job when you are an RN they will report you?

What's missing from this story?

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