New Rn Fired For Bgl Issues

[shouldhavebeenanunRN]

i had problems with bgm during my shift. i recalibrated a couple of times to verify accuracy & changed batteries (which resulted in loss of recorded bgls). one particular pt. who bottoms out & has extremes of hyper/hypoglycemia consistently had a fall after a change from a private room to a semiprivate room without injury & occuring several hours after my shift. however, during falls assessment of vs, his bgl was 55; an ir was done, md notified, etc. however, on call was on duty and questioned why i gave 20u novolog/rather than 10u to the resident @hs. my handwriting was misinterpreted by oncoming lpn as 400 but i wrote 408 on mar (but i was accused of lying as a result-and bgm #s did not match 400 or 408 either due to bgm calibration issues; and i was subsequently fired for a med documentation error because state was in house and my 408 could not be verified against bgm. i have been a sterling rn til now & would take a lie detector test to affect that i gave appropriate insulin per bgl result. i'm devastated!! threats of being reported to state to boot! how do i salvage my new career & stellar reputation? i gained monumentous experience in last 3 months, how can i claim now without looking incompetent. am i doomed before i ever get started?

[Babs0512]

Dear Shouldhavebeen:

From what you've written, it seems to me that management is trying to save face and use you as an example because the state was in house.

You have two choices. Go above the person who fired you and plead your case, OR my personal favorite, FIND ANOTHER POSITION IN A PLACE THAT ISN'T SO QUICK TO THROW THEIR STAFF TO THE WOLVES.

Please remember, we've all made errors, it DOES NOT MEAN YOUR A BAD NURSE, DON'T LET IT EAT AWAY AT YOUR CONFIDENCE. Take what you can from this experience and learn from it. Always make sure your documentation is legible and if a piece of equipment breaks down, put in a work order right away, call the lab to report loss of results due to battery failure and document it.

Keep us posted, and keep your chin up!

I would write up your version of what happen and ask that a copy be placed in your personal file.

Good luck, God Bless

[Babs0512]

Foot note: You haven't been working there very long, I'd like to hear others opinions on what you should say at the next job interview when asked "why did you leave your current position" I would probably say "personality conflict with my manger" if pressed for details, simply say, "I cannot in good consciousness badmouth a former employer." You were only there three months, you can always say "The job wasn't for me, I'm looking for something more challenging." Anyhow, like to hear what others have to say.

[spaniel]

It has been thirty years since I've graduated (RN). I am ever so grateful that I had the opportunity to have a supportive management and orientation for my first job. This was at a mjaor medical center in NYC. With that said, they ran us ragged too, but at least there was support. Yes, a mistake was a mistake, but we dealt with it in a positive way.Had everyone been fired for a mistake (or lack of working equipment), there would have been no one left to care for patients.

With that said, try to find the very very best place to work . Don't try to find the "first job" that will "take" you. As a new nurse you want the best in mentorship.

Do you still have a good relationship with anyone ( a former professor) at your nursing school? They may be able to help you through this time. I hate, hate seeing this type of thing happening to decent folk. But frankly, I would stay away from LTC. Get yourself into a teaching hospital with decent mentorship and leadership.

[shouldhavebeenanunRN]

Thanks much for the feedback. I really appreciate idea for the my version for my personnel file. Now, I gotta figure out how to approach my termination with a potential new employer. I would not go back to other job anyway. They fired 3 DONs, 2 DCDs quit, 5 RNs, 2 LPNs, the administrator and the human resources director were all fired in the past month too r/t to State being in house. Funny thing is... they never fire the aides.. LOL! Talk about throwing away their investment in a quality workforce. I'll move on as you also suggested. Thanks again.

[shouldhavebeenanunRN]

You are 100% correct! It is apparent to me as well that I need a supportive environment to learn in & get the opportunity to learn to do things the right way and not the wrong way. I will choose "for me" next time. Had to make a few bucks to get caught up on bills past few months, so that job was taken simply because it was close to home and it was first thing that came along! However, I am in a much better position to pick & choose according to my learning needs & desires this round & will not take it for granted again! So will pursue as a career this time not as a job per se. Thanks for feedback!

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

You know...the CNAs never do get fired...heads roll from the top down. I just can't beleive that they would base it all on a meter. I would document what you did to the meter (changed batteries, re calibrated it) and what else you said and have it put in your file.

[bluegeegoo2, LPN]

Thanks much for the feedback. I really appreciate idea for the my version for my personnel file. Now, I gotta figure out how to approach my termination with a potential new employer. I would not go back to other job anyway. They fired 3 DONs, 2 DCDs quit, 5 RNs, 2 LPNs, the administrator and the human resources director were all fired in the past month too r/t to State being in house. Funny thing is... they never fire the aides.. LOL! Talk about throwing away their investment in a quality workforce. I'll move on as you also suggested. Thanks again.

I would definitely use the fact that they fired 12 other people and 2 quit r/t state being in. Most hiring managers are sympathetic to situations such as that, and realize if circumstances had been different you would likely still be employed. I would probably be honest about why I was fired. It was an honest mistake not taking (or knowing) the proper action with the Bgl monitor. We are all human and will make mistakes. Give yourself a break!

[CHATSDALE]

as was stated in previous post, heads roll down hill

they believe that a cna does not have the authority to make any changes and unless there is proof of one particular cna doing abuse the state is not likely to recommend termination, even if aids are lazy the state will place the blame on poor leadership

if they have a bad report from the state then the ownership of ltc will state during f/u survey 'we have fired don, adon and administrator and some nurses and now there will a change of focus'

you should do a job hunt as soon as possible. when you fill out a resume/application sheet [ohh i hate to hunt for a job, working don't bother me but looking is a royal pain] put down an generic reply push that you are a new grad and looking for a place to learn new skills

while they are in turmoil in the first employement they will probably not do too much to run you down

a lot of people get fired and go on to have good productive jobs

learn from this

[achot chavi]

This sounds like such a nightmare- but as they say- tomorrow is another day. we ALL (and I mean ALL) make mistakes- perhaps there was another nurse or aid on duty who could back up your side of things? Trust me, if they fired you over that, you're better off. Please report back in a year and tell us how much better off you are- find a better class of people to work with and learn from. Take good care of yourself:hrnsmlys:

[3Angels]

Sorry to hear they threw you to the wolves, but you are probably better off if this is how they are treating their staff members. As for the job hunt, just take a deep breath and know that you have learned from past experience (neatness counts, computer charting is better) As a new nurse you might consider a teaching facility if there is one near you, medical units are great for obtaining skills and learning with lower pt to nurse ratio's than LTC. GOOD LUCK!!!

:saint:

[Atheos]

Foot note: You haven't been working there very long, I'd like to hear others opinions on what you should say at the next job interview when asked "why did you leave your current position" I would probably say "personality conflict with my manger" if pressed for details, simply say, "I cannot in good consciousness badmouth a former employer." You were only there three months, you can always say "The job wasn't for me, I'm looking for something more challenging." Anyhow, like to hear what others have to say.

As someone that interviews prospective employees I would say avoid both statements.

Personality conflicts are sometimes 2 sided and/or sometimes this is used to hide something else that I probably won't be able to verify. Saying you can't bad mouth you previous employer is basically bad mouthing them. It's like pointing out that there was something wrong with them but you won't lower yourself to mentioning it. :chuckle

Just tell them that either you decided a change of employer would be better for you or that you weren't a good fit for that workplace. I also prefer honesty. When people tell me reasons why they left another employer it looks good for them. I am more willing to give them a chance and the benefit of the doubt.

The first two statements basically amount to evasion and evasion is not a good thing in an interview.