I don't have the "initiative"

Nurses New Nurse

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Hi guys. I just kinda wanted to hear opinions on my situation from some other nurses/new grads. So, I got hired to work LDRP as a new grad. The manager seemed really cool. I actually found out later she was the interim manager, and also the educator. I started at the very end of January. At the time, the hospital was just getting ready for a site visit for magnet status. At the beginning of March, the cool educator/manager left for another job, leaving this unit with no one other than an interim manager from ambulatory surgery with no OB experience.

So, about 7 weeks into my orientation, after the original manager had left, I get my first review/meeting with the interim manager and my preceptor. They say they are not sure I have the drive for this type of work, that I only do what I'm told and no more. I tell them that I would like to do more, but I feel pretty overwhelmed just trying to take care of my patients at this point. So they say we will meet again later.

Basically, at the end of 11 weeks of orientation, they feel like I am not prepared to work in such a fast paced unit. I disagree, feeling like I never got a really good orientation, with the magnet preparations and the nurse educator leaving so soon after I started. I mean, obviously I don't have any kind of nursing experience, I am a new grad. So they want to transfer me to another unit, like med surg. This hospital doesn't have any openings, and although they own about 7 others, none of them have been very helpful so far.

I just feel like kind of a failure. I don't know, maybe nursing is not the right career for me. I guess I don't really know what I'm looking for here, just thought I'd share my crappy first job experience. So, now I'm not quite a new grad, but don't really have any experience either, and now all the May grads are applying for jobs too, so I don't know how easy it will be to find another job. Blah. Its been a bad week. Thanks for reading, let me know if you have any opinions :)

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Honey, I got fired from my first nursing job and the creeps went after my license.

I've discovered that the culture varies place to place. Where I was they expected a brand new grad to have 20 years of experiential knowledge and instincts and in my new job they expect me to pass meds and ask questions.

You will find your niche. And take comfort in the number of threads here from people who didn't do well in their first spot - I will NOT say failed - and emerged triumphant, with a much better situation.

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Thanks Sue, that does make me feel better, knowing that I am not the only one who doesn't fit well at their first job. It just sucks to be fired for doing nothing wrong other than not having enough experience. Lol, but, I have enjoyed my week off, except for the knowing that now I have no more paychecks coming :)

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Lol, but, I have enjoyed my week off, except for the knowing that now I have no more paychecks coming :)

You know how fast nurses find jobs? In a heartbeat.

You won't be out of work long. Really.

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If they are offering to transfer you to another unit, then I would probably take that in lieu of losing your job, especially if you don't have to take a pay cut.

You never know, you might find that you like another area of the hospital better....stay for a year, see how it goes, and if you still hate it, then look for something else.

A system that owns 7 hospitals is pretty important...do what you can to make it work...walk in every day like Mary Sunshine, ask alot of questions, and you'll find your way!

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Well, they wanted to transfer me, but my hospital doesn't have any openings for me on another unit. The HR lady referred me to another facility's HR, but they are kinda like, well, our hospital is pretty busy, maybe a smaller place would be a better place for you to learn. I would get to keep my benefits if I can find a job within the system, but they just don't seem to be very happy to help me find one. I'm applying outside of my hospital too, and if I don't get a new job pretty quick, I will be moving back in with my parents till I do find a job. It seems like an RN shouldn't have much trouble finding a job, but so far I've had no luck, although it has only been a week and a half.

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You're definitely not alone in your situation. And it doesn't mean you won't be a good nurse. You can't do more than you can do. If you know you did your best, then give yourself a big pat on the back. Really! There are a lot of folks out there who do half a$$ jobs or try to cover up their shortcomings by taking shortcuts or faking it and hoping for the best. Hold your head up and high and be proud of all that you did learn and accomplish during your first job - which I'm sure is a lot! I had a similar experience and had a little mantra when I started to panic and think negatively. I'd repeat to myself "I did my best. I'm proud of my efforts. I'm responsible and personable and do a good job." Then, I'd think of a couple of specific incidents where I did a really good job (eg caught a mistake from pharmacy, explained something to an appreciative patient, etc).

I wish you the best as you seek a new and better position!

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Have you told them you feel that the orientation was substandard?

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I quit my first job as a GN after 3 mos. I was "charge" on a 55 bed surgical unit, nights- huge teaching hospital. Talk about a nightmare!!! Looking back, I don't know how I survived 3 mos!! The docs were great, the nurses -most of them- were very UNhelpful!! (I was surprised- after all it was a 'teaching' hospital) I took a few months off, worked in a lab for a while, which I enjoyed & was good for me to learn. After about 9 or 10 mos (I forget how long actually) I was ready to return to nursing. I took another job, 3-11, charge again, but on a smaller med-surg unit at another hospital. I started on days for 6 wks orientation. The staff was wonderful, a couple older nurses mentored me- it was a very positive experience & reinforced that I HAD chosen the right profession. Don't give up- as another poster said, you will find your niche. ;)

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Specializes in ICU/PCU/Infusion.

i'm sorry for your trouble. it does sound as if you were a victim of circumstance!

i'll be thinking of you, and hoping that a BETTER opportunity is just around the corner!

trust it. you will be better off for this experience, no matter how it turns out.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

It seems like an RN shouldn't have much trouble finding a job, but so far I've had no luck, although it has only been a week and a half.

How do you present yourself when applying elsewhere?

Attitude is everything

Be as positive as you can actually be.

"I really liked what I was doing, but I don't feel I got everything I could have out of my orientation due to internal factors going on there at the time. That's why I'm exploring other opportunities at this time."

FYI, there's a job fair in Oakbrook Terrace on Friday. Put on your game face, be prepared to chat yourself up & bring plenty of resumes.

Good Luck

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How do you present yourself when applying elsewhere?

Attitude is everything

Be as positive as you can actually be.

"I really liked what I was doing, but I don't feel I got everything I could have out of my orientation due to internal factors going on there at the time. That's why I'm exploring other opportunities at this time."

FYI, there's a job fair in Oakbrook Terrace on Friday. Put on your game face, be prepared to chat yourself up & bring plenty of resumes.

Good Luck

Well, I haven't been presenting myself at all yet, because I haven't heard from anywhere except the one other hospital associated with my hospital. But, when I thought about what I would say, I did plan to say something along the lines of your idea, about how I really enjoyed the work, but that at the time I was there, this particular unit just was not a good environment for me to learn.

While I was there, the other nurses were so short staffed and overworked that they just barely wanted to talk to me at all, but I did still enjoy working with my patients so much, and I know that my patients liked me and thought I did a good job too, which is the only thing that kept me going while I was there. Its kinda hard to remember that part now, especially with the thought of not being able to find another women's health job and having to take whatever I can get. I'm not totally opposed to working med/surg or another area, but I truly loved my patients in LDRP.

Anyway, thanks for the tip on the job fair, maybe I'll see if I can make it out there. I'm thinking about moving in with my parents in Rockford for the summer and looking for a part time job at a nursing home there so I can help them at home, because my mom had a stroke two weeks ago, and when she comes home will probably need a lot of help for a while.

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