Got fired

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

On May 21st, the assistant DON called me and told me that on Monday 25th I am going to do everything by myself, she told that they wanted to speed me up a little bit. My story I am a new nurse, I've found a job on April the 16th, working M-F 7-3 shift. On May 5th I took one week off my job for court duty, I came back to work on Monday 11th. Okay, after the ADON, talked to me on 21st of May, she called me to her office at the end of the shift on Friday May 22nd, she told me that the DON and her want to talk to me after I am done with whatever I was doing. I went to them and ADON told "I am afraid, you are not going to make it, because you work to slow and you are asking a lot of questions about the meds" the questions about the meds was reported to them by a nurse that precept me for one day. I was in shock, I am a single mother and after passing my board, it took me almost 4 months to find a job. I got fired because after about one month from my job, I finished after about 15 to 30 minutes after my time. The weird part is that day I've finished at 2:30 pm. I have to mention that I was doing treatment for about 59 patients that they asked me to do without getting any training. I did because where I am living it's very hard to find a job. I took my time to read everything very good to avoid mistake, because I didn't want to lose my license. Now I am back where I was, I have to start looking for a new job. It is wrong to ask question about a med that I am not familiar with before I give it to the patient? I was asking that nurse the instruction, how to give it to the patient because I wasn't familiar with that med. I know my story is too long; please I need some advice, what impact that being fired will have on my next job search?

Thank you any advice will be appreciated.

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I would request an appointment with whomever is in charge of hiring/firing. Go in and explain that you are new and would like another chance. Offer yourself as part time until they feel you are ready to take on more responsibility.

What were they expecting of you? You're not a magical little pony that can just absorb information straight away!

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When it comes to meds, first make an effort to look the med up in the med reference book that is on the cart. Anytime that you can answer your own question by looking something up in a med book, a reference book, or the floor policy and procedures manual, do so, before asking a colleague. You never know when a coworker has sized you up and is just waiting to complain about you. "Asking too many questions" is an easy criticism to make against someone who is new.

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I'm sorry this happened to you. And it won't affect your job search if you don't mention it. I wouldn't.

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Oh...I am so sorry to read this.:o I've been an LPN 13 & 1/2 years and if I had FIFTY NINE residents to take care of I would CRY! Literally! I would NOT go back to that facility, it appears they were biased against you and took the word of the staff member who trained you before even taking you aside to talk to you. Do they not have a training protocol in place? They simply dismissed you? Horrible! Do yourself a favor. Obviously you are a diligent nurse who cares about the welfare of the people she is in charge of. Keep your head up, get that resume out there and you will find something! Not all LPN jobs come under the heading of LPN. Some are cloaked under "Opthalmic Tech"..they will train you to utilize your skills in their office. Or a "Utilization Review Clerk"...insurance companies sometimes employ LPN's to review their charts. Same with Lawyers, employing RN's and LPN's. Pharmaceutical companies employ LPN's in varying capacities. It depends what you are willing to do. Please don't limit yourself. You have to look under broader headings! Good luck honey! Keep your head up!

~From a fellow single Mom~:loveya:

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Thank you everybody for your advice and support. I started my job's search already. If I cannot find anything where I am now I will relocated to another city, specially the one where I went to school. I believe that God will give me something better, where they will pay much better.

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Specializes in Onco, palliative care, PCU, HH, hospice.

I am so sorry for what happened to you! I agree, try to look up the drugs when you're unsure, but whenever in doubt ASK QUESTIONS!! Even your wisest most experienced nurses will tell you that when in doubt just ask someone else, a lot of times it will save a patient from having a bad outcome. I think it's really crappy that your DON fired you for something as trivial as that. I'd rather be training a new grad with a thousand questions for everything we do as opposed to one that never has any questions and believes they already have "all" the knowledge there is to know. Don't be hard on yourself, I know the economy is crap right now but I wish you luck in your job search just keep alternative settings in mind as you search, home health, prisons, private duty, hospice, LTC/ALF (I assume that's the type of facility you were in), clinics, even try the American Red Cross a lot of times they're actively recruiting people for their blood mobiles. Best of luck to you hon!

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I think it is disgusting that a facility that decides to hire a new grad will not take the time to allow them to ask questions. Sometimes, it is not about the drugs per say, but you start learning that the way you learned about the drugs in school are suddenly utilized in a different manner once you are in the real world. I am so sorry this happened, but I would do as others mentioned and try to spread your wings in different directions that are hopefully more nurturing.

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Don't feel bad this is type of facility that wants nurses to cut corners while they look the other way. They know that it's impossible to take care of 59 residents and do things by the book. They can't come out and say it directly but they are looking for a nurse who is wiling to play their game and since you are actually concerned about providing decent care you don't fit in. So now they have made up an excuse to make it seem as if it's your fault that you can't take care of 59 people. Move on and find someplace decent to work.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Don't feel bad this is type of facility that wants nurses to cut corners while they look the other way. They know that it's impossible to take care of 59 residents and do things by the book. They can't come out and say it directly but they are looking for a nurse who is wiling to play their game and since you are actually concerned about providing decent care you don't fit in. So now they have made up an excuse to make it seem as if it's your fault that you can't take care of 59 people. Move on and find someplace decent to work.

And, if these animals are doing this to you, a person who walked into this caring, what do can they possibly think of those poor patients? I'd want a nurse that is asking about the meds, clarifying BEFORE I give, than guessing AFTERWARDS and wondering if you did the right thing after the fact...

Makes me think about the nurse that reported you were asking too many questions, also. If I were percepting a newbie, I would be happy to report in a positive manner that you are inquiring about your work..."She shows concern about her practice; this is someone that is a keeper" type comments.

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There should be drug guide books in every med-room. At least all the facilities I have been at, there were. Also, never give a med to a patient that you don't know what it is for.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Progressive Tele.

Sorry to hear this, but some people are not cut out for LTC. It's a tough place to work, and yes, they want speed in people. So who knows maybe this was a blessing for you. But like what others have said in other post, always look meds up yourself, that is how you learn about them...

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