Need Advice for New Grad Resigned after 5 months

OldNurseEducator · Mar 9, 2011

Hello All,
Im writing to know your opinion and advice on my situation. I am a new grad and worked at the ER for almost 5 months. I was forced to resign due to "inadequate assessment skills and documenting incorrectly." I was shocked because they did not even tell me or give me time to correct myself.
Anyway, I felt there was not a good support and training system in place for new grads over there (given only 6 weeks with a preceptor in a busy ER dept) and so although I felt it was unfair to treat me that way, I was relieved to leave the place too due to the level of stress, taddling and office politics going through there.
My question is right now: how do I position myself when a new employer interviews and asks me why I left my old job given only 5 months of work ?
Would appreciate any input and advice on how to answer the above question on new job interview.
Thank you and have a great day.
Always tell the truth, because if you don't , it may come back to haunt you in the end. You need to sharpen those skills that were identified as weak. It's an "Employer's Market" out there because there are so many nurses now. They made life miserable for you so they wouldn't have you on their payroll anymore. They can fire most anyone for anything right now because they can fill your job tomorrow. Good luck!

RNKPCE · Mar 9, 2011

Every new grad needs a good orientation with adequate support and constant and structured feedback. This is more so in a specialty area such as an ER. Many hospitals won't even hire a new grad into an ER. When a new grad works on a floor she has a pretty good idea of the diagnosis of her patient but in the ER you never know what's going to walk in the door which makes it a unique place to work. Your patient population is so diverse in the ER as compare to the floors.

Sorry you didn't have a supportive situation. If you apply for another job will it be ER again. I think that is important to know as you can structure your response differently if you are going to try another area. I think if you apply to hospital who doesn't hire new grads into the ER you will have a better shot as they will know how difficult ER can be for a new grad and probably be more understanding to your situation. I think you can be honest without slamming the old work place. Try role playing an interview situation with a friend.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 9, 2011

op: are you a non-rehire? if not, you have better options then you think. if you go the route of working med surg first, then you may easily have a shot. you need only inform them that you wish to gain more experience in med surg for a few years prior to returning to critical or emergency care.

if you wish to try er again, as others have written tell the truth and seek out opportunities that have a very supportive training and work environment. also, you cannot bad mouth your current employer, but you must be able to justify the forced resignation. for instance, "i choose to apply to this er because of your extensive training program. i am a new grad and i understand that i have a lot to learn. in fact, i was not successful in my past job because i did not receive similar orientation or training. however, i know that because i am smart and a hard worker i will be successful and great contributor to your team."

being a new nurse is hard. it is unacceptable that there is no consitancy in trianing for new nurses in the work place, unlike other professions. don't allow this set back to define who you will become as a nurse.

Millerstudentnurse · Mar 9, 2011

Thanks NurseEd and Batmik for your replies.

Yes, I am looking at both ER and non-ER opportunities. For the ER one, how do you say "the situation was not supportive, the supervisor was listening to taddles from LVNs and CNAs and not hearing my side of the story" without slamming the old workplace ?

Once again appreciate any input you may have.

Erclifton85 · Mar 9, 2011

I would tell them exactly what you told us above, inadequate training and no evaluation other than "you're fired" sounds pretty unfair and drastic.

netglow, ASN, RN · Mar 9, 2011

"I am a New Grad and I understand that I have a lot to learn. In fact, I was not successful in my past job because I did not receive similar orientation or training. However, I know that because I am smart and a hard worker I will be successful and great contributor to your team."

Awesome way of explaining it!!!

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 9, 2011

Personally, I wouldn't give any reason other than "it wasn't a good fit." They gave you the option of resigning, so it really is OK for you to not bring up any unpleasantness.I would not complain about a previous employer ("lack of orientation, bad atmosphere" etc.) to a potential new employer.

keepleaRNing · Mar 9, 2011

@ miller: First of all, you were darn brave to take on an ER position as a new grad, so much love to ya! You will continue to gain experience with each job that you get. Your assessment skills will grow, becoming better and better, and that is a daily process. So it's curtains for the first job, who cares. You can get other jobs, so please do not be discouraged! I have found that with every job I have held, there is never an adequate length of training, although most ALL nurse jobs tend to boast that there is! So baby, buck up, go for the next job wherever that may be, and do be honest about the reason for the separation without slamming the former employer. Sell yourself without being cocky; let them know that you ARE competent (you are),and let future employers know that you are willing to learn. Don't launch into the drama about the taddlings from other staff; these employers are very well aware of this behavior. I hope this encourages you...and welcome to nursing! You'll be all right! :yeah:

OldNurseEducator · Mar 9, 2011

Personally, I wouldn't give any reason other than "it wasn't a good fit." They gave you the option of resigning, so it really is OK for you to not bring up any unpleasantness.I would not complain about a previous employer ("lack of orientation, bad atmosphere" etc.) to a potential new employer.

Correct! Don't complain about the previous employer but ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IF YOU WERE LET GO! I know it will be found out anyway. Nurse managers and nurse recruiters talk...Good luck. :nurse:

caliotter3 · Mar 9, 2011

If you mention that CNAs and LVNs tattled on you and that is one of the reasons you left your job, they will think you are unable to cope with supervising others. They will also think that the CNAs and LVNs must have been making valid reports since you are now without the job.

AOx1 · Mar 9, 2011

Thanks NurseEd and Batmik for your replies.
Yes, I am looking at both ER and non-ER opportunities. For the ER one, how do you say "the situation was not supportive, the supervisor was listening to taddles from LVNs and CNAs and not hearing my side of the story" without slamming the old workplace ?
Once again appreciate any input you may have.

You don't say this in this manner without slamming your old work place. Focus on what you need to change. Mention that this position was not a good match for your current skill set, and what you plan to do to advance your skills. I would NOT mention the word tattling or even imply it. You can't control what others do in any situation, and saying "He/she tattled on me for..." does not make you sound like a mature professional. Be assertive and seek opportunities to grow and you will get hired; describe a situation where you are the victim and bear no responsibility and others will be wary of you. Whether this is right or wrong, whether you were targeted or not, this is how it will come across.

I would focus on what you are looking for in a new situation. For example, "I am looking for an orientation program that will give me a chance to systematically learn to be a nurse in area x, with opportunity to further develop my assessment skills."