This is my first time posting to allnurses, I've been using this site since I started nursing school and has definitely helped me during times I felt I had no one to turn to, but I am now in need of advice! Here is my story...
I graduated from the University of Kansas with my BSN in May!
I graduated in May '14, passed boards in June '14, accepted a medsurg job in July '14...For the most part the good stuff just kept coming one after another! Fast forward 2 months, I was terminated from my first nursing job during orientation due to problems with time management, not seeming to be a "good fit" on the unit, struggling with a 6 patient assignment load, after 6 weeks of orientation.
First of all, I was not aware of how serious my situation was until my manager met with me after my shift (at the end of my 6 week orientation, I work nights btw) to ask me how I felt I was doing on orientation (I did meet with the educator once a week), she then proceeded to discuss a situation that I had with a pt that ended up going to ICU 2 days ago.
My preceptor was concerned that I had some issues handling the situation on my own, it was the first time I had a pt have a sudden decline in pt status, of course I needed her help, but apparently she told my NM that she was very very concerned after that incident. My NM then proceeded to quiz me on clinical scenarios to see how I would hypothetically react in those situations. Of course I gave my best answer but I didn't have the perfect answer that she was looking for, keep in mind I work nights and this was the morning of my 4th 12 hr shift in a row, I was not in the right mind, I was too exhausted and tired to be answering these questions to the best of my ability.
If I was given the opportunity to meet with my manager at a more appropriate time that was not after my shift, I know I could have given a better answer. In conclusion she said she would extend orientation another week to see how I did, discreetly adding that the unit does have a budget so she would not extend my orientation on light terms. The following day on my day off, I get a call from her saying that she doesn't think that the unit is a good fit, that extending my orientation another week wouldn't make a difference, and that she would have to terminate my position.
I was of course flustered and confused, and I replied in hesitancy but within good reason, and she replied by saying I couldn't answer her scenario questions appropriately, which were "classic NCLEX style questions" and that really concerned her and wouldn't think extending orientation could change that. In my mind I was thinking "First of all you asked me theses questions the morning after my 4th shift in a row, I have 2 months of nursing experience, have you ever been a new grad? Do you really expect me to know exactly what to do with what experience I have, knowing that new grads don't truly start to feel comfortable until 6 months into their first job? If so I don't want to work at this type of facility, and your expectations are unrealistic"
I know it may sound like I am spiteful and complaining, this is of course all from my side of the story, but I don't think I was treated fairly at all. But in the end what happened happened, and I am ready to move on keeping in mind what they said I did struggle with. I do agree with all the things they said, I did have trouble with time management and managing a large patient load, but the terms of my termination was not done fairly I feel.
At this point, I just ask for any advice on how to succeed as a new grad, your orientation stories, how you succeeded, what you wish you knew when you started, or anything else, or any comments you have. All I can say is I did not expect this coming out of school, I am still coping with it, I was absolutely devastated and depressed the following weeks after. I felt I had been thrown away, that it was all business and their decision was based on whether I was worth spending more money on...But I have had a good support system and I know I WILL GET THROUGH THIS. I still have my license and passion for nursing, all good things happen to those with patience and willingness to be better.
