I graduated in May and I began working at a LTC in July. I was suspended today because of a mistake I made yesterday when the state surveyors were there. The ADON told me to call her on Monday to make an appointment to meet with her after they finish their investigation.
If I do get fired, how would I address this when looking for a new job? What do I say when hiring managers ask why I left?
I'm sure everyone wants to know what happened. A surveyor came to me and asked what I would do if a CNA told me a resident had a pulse ox of 78%. I said I would put her on O2, check vitals, assess, and try to titrate her back up to 90%. Then the surveyor said she saw the CNA take the pulse ox of the resident and it was 78% and asked if the CNA told me this. I told her the CNA did not tell me, and I looked at the vitals sheet from the CNA and saw that she put down the resident had a pulse ox of 92%. I made an unsafe assumption that the CNA had retaken the pulse ox after it was 78% and it was 92%, so I did not follow up on it and assess the resident.
I accept full responsibility for what happened. It was my responsibility to check vitals and assess the resident myself given the information about the 78%, and I didn't do it. I do feel it was an honest mistake, especially for a new nurse, although I didn't fully think through what was going on and what I was told. But it was a mistake nonetheless, and I accept the consequences of it.
I think the part about being frazzled by the surveyor is very believable. Nurses are human and do make mistakes. You are so new to the profession and I am wondering if your employer had given you any feedback before this? I would stress the positive and get on to some thing else. I do think being fired was rather harsh if they had been pleased with your work so far. They could have used it as a learning experience. :)
I had my 90 day review a couple of weeks prior to this and received "good" and "satisfactory" for everything. They said I was doing well.
I had my 90 day review a couple of weeks prior to this and received "good" and "satisfactory" for everything. They said I was doing well.
Get a copy of that evaluation to take with you to future interviews to support your explanation that your termination was related to a "frazzled" moment with a state surveyor.
My very best to you.
P.S. Did you suffer any injuries from being thrown under the bus by your previous employer?
I got a call back today from an HR manager. She asked why I left and I told her the story and her response was "it was a minor error, I'll tell that to the ADON". So that was encouraging. Her main concern was that it wasn't a med error or something that went against my license.
I haven't heard back on that job, but I had an "interview" for another job this morning. I put the quotes on it because the DON basically gave me the job when I walked in the door. It's just PRN, but it's something. I told her the story of why I got let go from the other job and her response was "that was really crappy" and that was it. So it looks like I have the job pending the background and reference checks.
I haven't heard back on that job, but I had an "interview" for another job this morning. I put the quotes on it because the DON basically gave me the job when I walked in the door. It's just PRN, but it's something. I told her the story of why I got let go from the other job and her response was "that was really crappy" and that was it. So it looks like I have the job pending the background and reference checks.
Best of luck with everything!
And keep this experience in mind for when the inspectors/surveyors come around next time...because unfortunately they will At least you'll be better able to handle it.
At least you'll be better able to handle it.
Izzy11, NP
1 Article; 97 Posts
I had my 90 day review a couple of weeks prior to this and received "good" and "satisfactory" for everything. They said I was doing well.