Loss of first RN job Today I am so sad

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I have been working in an ICU unit precepting for five months, I just was placed on my RN probation period and was working for one month everyone on the unit starting conversing about how I recieved day shift and other issues related to my position. Next thing I know I am called in the office because on of my coworkers wrote me up. I have tried to be humble through this whole exp. and not complain and then today I recieve a termination letter stating I had made a med error and Icu is not the right fit for me. When up to this six month point all I recieved was good reviews. I don't understand this. I my first year of nursing at that. I am heartbroken has this happened to anyone before?

I really appreciate all the support from you exp. nurses, I am going out today for a couple of interviews. I had been looking because the unit really wasn't a right fit. I know god will walk with me. I passed my boards in August and this job was offered to me by a friend so I took it immediately which I think was a mistake. Any suggestions related to Job hunting? Any red flags to watch out for? Thanks Mar

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Sorry to hear about that. My advice I would offer is check out hiring online indeed.com, monster.com, craigslist.com (under medical), jobs.yahoo.com, and google has their own as well now, and to call the HR for nearby hospitals. Hope this helps some and best of luck, once you get in a supportive work situation this will probably look like a blessing in hindsight.

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Welcome to nursing. This kind of job related behavior is all too common, and at some point we as nurses have to stop this, rather than accept it. Stand up for yourself, and go to your manager and tell her/him that you are going to HR with all your documentation. This includes getting copies of your good reviews. Ask who else on the unit has committed med errors, and ask whether or not they were fired after the first error. A med error is not an acceptable reason to fire someone while they are still in the probationary period, in fact, there are laws against retaliating against someone for a med error, especially since you are new, and learning. New nurses can almost be expected to commit errors, and your hospital has the duty to help you through these errors. There are policies and processes in place to remedy med errors, and you should find out from your manager and HR what that process is, and that you were not entered into this process. If your manager placed you on days, that is the manager's decision, and cannot be used against you later. You have 2 wrongful reasons for termination: being placed on days (out of your control), and retaliation against a med error. I would tell your manager and HR you were wrongfully terminated, and unless you are placed back into work, you will file an EEOC form. It is against the law to retaliate against an individual, and fire that individual, without good cause. You have a case, and I would strongly encourage you to step up to the plate and uphold your employment rights. Yes, the manager was looking for a reason to fire you, but a med error is the wrong reason and will not stand up with the EEOC. While you are in HR, ask for a meeting between your manager and the Chief Nursing Officer to discuss this termination. I imagine if the CNO finds out about this, she/he will be smart enough to know this can't be done. They broke the law - and it is up to you to be the one who is strong enough to go up against them, retain your rights, and demand your job back. Nursing will never change unless we change the way we are treated.

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Specializes in icu/er ccrn.

sometimes it sux to be a nurse and to work with them.

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Thanx again for all the info I am going to contact the EEOC.

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Yeah, you don't need to work in an environment like that. The reason to fire you was made long before this med error, so it sounds like. Unless you made a huge mistake that you should've known not to, but I doubt that's the case since you are still new.

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

What was the specific infraction? Have they counseled you previously for anything? Did they try to work with you by making a plan of corrective action? Did they offer a suspension prior to the termination? Did you do something that was a direct violation of the nurse practice act? Send me a private email and we can discuss this further. Diane

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