Let go during orientation, what to say at interviews?

[RNSteph75]

I was just let go this week a the end of my orientation in an intensive care unit. This was my first nursing job. I am devastated. I truly loved this field and felt like I was ready to go on my own. Sure I had a disorganized day here and there, I'm a new nurse! But I was gaining confidence exponentially day by day. I had ONE manager that seemed to want to get rid of me, and for what I do not know. I was always friendly, responsible, respectful, diligent, and eager to learn. I even volunteered for things on the unit. But I could sense a negative vibe from her and sure enough she started pressing my preceptors for any little mistake.

She started counseling me for things like a math error on a med calculation sheet the very first time I did one while trying to figure it out on my own. All of our sheets require 2 RNs to check calculations so they are MEANT to help catch human error. After the first one where I made the error, I did the next and subsequent one's without error. I NEVER made a med-error, or put a patient in harms way. I was actually handling a full patient load completely with no or VERY minimal involvement from my preceptors at the end of orientation.

I have sat down and tried to carefully soul search, I have discussed the examples that were given to me with some of my preceptors and experienced nurse friends. All of them have said they were things that even experienced nurses do, and even do far worse. People gave me feedback that my competency is exactly how any new nurse is when orienting to ICU. Several people have said, "there wouldn't be any nurses left on this unit if they penalized everyone for those things" However, none of that can change the fact that I was excused from the unit as "not ready for the ICU"

I know there is always something to be learned, please be kind as I am sure experience is what I am lacking.

At any rate, it is what it is and I need to focus on what is before me. I am very concerned about my hire-ability and what to say when asked about my short four month nursing employment. So do I dare apply to the same field in a different hospital (I really loved it) or do I apply for something less acute?

I would love to hear from those who hire nurses, and/or who have hired nurses with a similar situation.

I certainly know not to say anything negative about my previous manager, or to have a victim mentality. Is it appropriate to say that it was just not a good fit? Any insight is much appreciated!

[Cat365]

There isn't any harm in applying to similar positions. What's the worst that can happen? They might not hire you but they might.

Yeah, the best you could likely say is that it wasn't a good fit.

It sounds like you have a good attitude so I wish you the best. I wouldn't hang all of your hopes on another position just like you had though consider and apply to other areas that interest you or that you think will help you hone skills.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

So sorry this happened to you. Transitioning from student to clinical practice is hard enough without this type of situation. Poor & incompetent management strikes again.

First things first. Find out your termination status. If you are listed as "not eligible for rehire", it is a significant red flag for any prospective employer. If you're eligible for rehire, it's pretty much a non-issue. So you really need to know this information.

Even though it's tempting, don't omit this job from your resume or applications. When anyone runs a background check (as mandated by Federal law for nursing positions), it will turn up. If you leave it off, you'll have some 'splaining to do and it may look as though you were trying to hide something. If you're asked about it, you can truthfully reply that "it wasn't a good fit for me". This is not uncommon for new grads who are trying to find their place in the work world. Be prepared to discuss what you learned from the experience and how you will apply that knowledge to any future jobs.

You may not believe it right now, but in a couple of years this will not be such a big thing for you. Everything's going to work out OK. Don't give up - success is always just around the corner.

[RNSteph75]

Thank you Cat365. I am hoping I can project my passion and eagerness for critical care and possibly earn the opportunity of being worth a chance at another hospital. Like you said however, I am open to other areas. I'm also realistic that the likelihood might not be high that a manager would be willing to hire me to the same area I just essentially "failed" in. I also want to be wise in the aspect of placing myself in a good environment for the development of my own nursing skills and most importantly to provide safe care to my patients.

Thanks for your encouragement and feedback!

[RNSteph75]

HouTx thank you so much for your response. I truly want to learn all that I can from the experience and use it to make me an even better nurse. I agree wholeheartedly that honesty is the best policy. I believe somehow this will come through for my best and the best for my nursing career, despite how painful and confusing it is right now.

Human Resources did tell me that I am eligible for rehire, so that is at least to my benefit.

Again thanks for your reply and encouragement!

[CelticGoddess, BSN, RN]

When you are asked, just tell them it wasn't a good fit. Don't offer any more info than that unless they ask you and if they do, keep it short, simple and to the point.

As far as applying: Go ahead and reapply to there facilities for the ICU, but you might want to think about step down, tele, or med-surg. You can always transfer or try for ICU later on. Don't give u, you might just need a bit more experience first.

[SentinelTruth]

I was pushed into resignation this Tuesday at my first hospital job as a Med-Surg nurse (still on orientation)... applied for positions on Wednesday, had an interview on Thursday and got a job at a Rehab facility.... for a lot more pay too :)