Lost my internship!

Published

It seems that when the bad news starts it is all down hill....

I have been in the midst of recovering from failing NCLEX last Thursday by finding out through quick results. I told my manager that I thought I failed but it is not official per the BNE. She said that day that we would work around it until I get official word. The next day they sent me home because I was no longer a GN and to let them know when I can retest. I then found out all the information and the BNE stated that my GN was still valid until I received the paperwork in the mail (14 to 21 days). I then gave her several options such as stay in the classes as a GN or even at tech pay and then work as a nurse tech or monitor tech until I can retest in 50 days if they needed me to. Yesterday, she then told me that if I could not get written proof that I passed by Monday I was no longer employed. There were only four more days left out of a month long internship!

I guess the old saying "Nurses eat their young if definetly true!"

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't know what to tell you except that I am sorry this is happening to you. Most hospitals will keep you until you try the test again. ((hug))

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hang on! Yeah, it IS true. I plan to look into it more for my thesis - nurses eat their young...

but you arent eaten yet. You will find someone who is glad to have you. KNow the rules, retake the test. You will be fine. Dont get bitter... too soon and too many already are...

You will offer tremendous support to someone else down the line in years to come, because you've been there and you understand. :)

Just one more obstacle. Study hard!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You were given the orientation with the idea that you were going to pass NCLEX. They hired you under that assumption. If you are no longer a GN, then you can't keep the position. They will not hold it for you until you pass.

So why is that nurses eat their young? Not in this case. Wrong scenario.

You did it, not them. Start preparing yourslef for when you can retake the exam and go on from there. Things always have a reson for why they happen. We don't always agree with it................. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You were given the orientation with the idea that you were going to pass NCLEX. They hired you under that assumption. If you are no longer a GN, then you can't keep the position. They will not hold it for you until you pass.

So why is that nurses eat their young? Not in this case. Wrong scenario.

You did it, not them. Start preparing yourslef for when you can retake the exam and go on from there. Things always have a reson for why they happen. We don't always agree with it................. :)

While I would agree with Suzanne about this not being a case of "eating their young", it doesn't sound to me like a smart thing to do to let you go. After all, if you're only four days away from finishing internship training, it seems rather silly to waste all of the money they've spent training you when you'll most likely be an RN in 45-90 days (you can do it!!). Perhaps you should try to think of this as their loss and not yours... you've gotten lots of training (and gotten paid to boot!) and they're going to lose out on a great future nurse... Keep your chin up!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I guess when I made the statement about "eating their young" was on the first day they showed great support and was willing to work with me, etc. The next day it was a big turnaround and felt like a big slap on the face. Well I have brushed myself off, bought a Saunders Book to review and I am taking the next month destressing my life and reviewing for the test!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.

it must be very hard to fail the nclex... thats a blow in itself, and then to be treated differently by your new coworkers is very hard.

i guess this should teach all: don't tell your employer you failed until your state board advises you directly!

you'll do great the second time around! good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
While I would agree with Suzanne about this not being a case of "eating their young", it doesn't sound to me like a smart thing to do to let you go. After all, if you're only four days away from finishing internship training, it seems rather silly to waste all of the money they've spent training you when you'll most likely be an RN in 45-90 days (you can do it!!). Perhaps you should try to think of this as their loss and not yours... you've gotten lots of training (and gotten paid to boot!) and they're going to lose out on a great future nurse... Keep your chin up!

Look at it from the other side of the equation. If you were in management, what would you do? Even if the nurse has the time until she receives the letter, how could you let someone function as an RN, when they haven't passed their exam. You have already paid them an RN salary for a month.

Do you have any guarantee that the next exam will be passed? No one can give you that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
it must be very hard to fail the nclex... thats a blow in itself, and then to be treated differently by your new coworkers is very hard.

i guess this should teach all: don't tell your employer you failed until your state board advises you directly!

you'll do great the second time around! good luck!

We won't consider reputations here, will we? How can you do that in good conscience? If you lie over something like this, what else wil the person lie about? The OP was correct in notifying her manager.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Look at it from the other side of the equation. If you were in management, what would you do?

Since you asked, I would have offered her a position which does not require a license until she passed her Boards-----not necessarily on the unit or shift for which she was hired, nor would I guarantee the original position once she passed. But I would not have tossed her out the door like yesterday's garbage.

Does the treatment she received exemplify what is usually meant by the phrase "nurses eat their young"? Perhaps not. But it was needlessly cruel unless there was not a single position to offer, hardly likely in most facilities. And considering the cost of recruiting Registered Nurses and the training already received I believe this management's behavior made no business sense. Further, in most areas the world of nursing is a small one.....when local nursing school graduates learn how GNs who fail the NCLEX are treated at that facility, all things being equal they will avoid that facility in favor of others. Let me assure you that many fine students have doubts about how they will perform on the NCLEX.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Good luck on your retest. Some people do not get to work as GN's. So if you look on the bright side you have had 45 days more training then some people who will retest. Can only help you for NCLEX.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am sorry to hear that this happened to you. I find it odd that they did not offer you a position as a PCA(patient care aide) or nurse tech (whatever they are called where you are.) In my state we do not have GN's so after graduation and before boards we function as interns. Basically we have the same job description as a PCA. Only, we get to do assesments. Somewhere there is a place that will be happy to have you on their staff. Keep looking, who knows the next job may be better than this one! I will keep you in my thoughts, and hope that everything gets better for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion