just got fired from PACU contract

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I don't have alot of support and need objective answers. Im 44 I applied to a recruiter on linked in, it took 8 month to get me into a military hospital as a contractor RN. I applied to MEDSURG,PREOP, PACU. My first day they placed me in the OR because my only experience is OR and pediatric home health. I never applied to OR. I never wanted OR and pushed for PACU. I wanted to grow and learn something different. I was told after 2 weeks as a contractor I was taking too long to adjust and was removed from the unit. I am left feeling useless, incompetent and just plain sh@@. I am now scared to apply to any job other than home health. Is it too late for me to gain different experience. Where would be a good place for me to start. Should I return to home health? I need the guidance of the nursing angels. My goal is to be a travel nurse and finally start to save. I am behind in that aspect as well. 

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

What were the expectations of the contract? If it was similar to traveling, then a PACU position is not realistic with OR and home health experience. If you want to travel, you need to have the experience to back it up and essentially function on your own after a couple of days. 

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Thank you I appreciate the support and clarification. I have never done contract or travel nursing. It took 8 months and tons of paperwork. I for the most part kept in touch with the recruiter and was upfront with my experience. I was consistent in letting them know and asking will I be OK with my experience. I am in the process of printing the contract now. If that is the case I should not have been allowed to step into the PACU. 

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Specializes in Occupational Health.
On 6/4/2022 at 12:45 PM, 312nurse said:

My first day they placed me in the OR because my only experience is OR and pediatric home health. I never applied to OR. I never wanted OR and pushed for PACU. I wanted to grow and learn something different.

Your only experience is in the OR. Wanting to "grow and learn something different" is admirable but doing so as a traveler is not the time or place. As a traveler you're expected to be proficient in your area and require minimal orientation time as well as minimal guidance and instruction in the performance of your duties.

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There were no clear expectations. I had no idea what the norm for a contractor was now I have a better idea. They pretty much set me up for a bait and switch and thought I would be quiet. My first day was in the OR by "accident". I made a fuss and made it clear what I applied for and where I needed to be assigned. Then everything else started to become clear. I did not have the experience to work in the position I applied for and in the 8 months, I communicated with the recruiter not once did I agree to be placed in the OR. That is, however, where they are in the greatest need.  Whatever, when you know better you do better. Lesson learned. The realm of shady business is not my expertise. 

 

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