New BSN grad fired after 5 weeks of orientation

[Kinar]

Does your work history under your ss# show terminations? I was hired within a teaching hospital as a new grad, during my orientation my preceptor was unorganized and did not have a routine. She often appeared overwhelmed. I tried to understand her frustrations as well as adjust to her routine. I requested another preceptor and I was told there was not any more staff at the time, I was told I needed to remember every thing I was told and I should not still be referring to my notes. I asked to be transferred to another floor instead I was told it's not working out and terminated. Now I'm having a hard time finding a job as a new grad. I feel like I have wasted four years of nursing school because I can't find a job that I would like to work. Does your work history under your ss# show terminations?

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

OK, now you're talking nonsense. EVERYONE knows that the flu shot IS a form of mind control, that's part of it the vax giving you the flu. I've read all about it on the intranet...

People also believe that there is a conspiracy among pharmaceutical manufacturers to experiment on people via dangerous vaccines....and that the flu shot is a form of mind control. Couldn't hope to make this stuff up, it's already 'out there'!

[iPink, BSN, RN]

You asked for a new preceptor then asked to be transferred to a different unit...unfortunately those where reasons enough to let you go.

You worked a little over a month and so I wouldn't list the job on your résumé. New grads being fired during orientation is not unheard of, but you need to grow from the experience.

Sent from iPink's phone via allnurses app

[amoLucia]

Background checks show employment history, but nit reasons for leaving. I've never looked if this is federal law or state soecific, but while working in 2 different states, employers are legally nit aloud to disclose your reason for leaving. The only info aloud to be given for job verification is start/end date and position. Salary and reason for leaving can't be disclosed. This is why employers want letters of rec from previous managers or will ask for contact info from them and ask permission to get employment info from them.

I'm not disputing that MOST employers DO NOT divulge much info upon requests from new prospective employers, but I believe there is some error in this post.

As long as the info to be disclosed is TRUE, then it may be disclosed. Think about it ... if OP were CHRONICALLY big time late, did some no call/no shows, hid in a pt room and was caught sleeping on the job, outright argued an assignment from a superior and got mouthy, or got into a fistfight with a coworker, these would be grounds for dismissal. Since they are usually easily verifiable, they would be considered TRUE and allowed to be disclosed. Agreed that many places would NOT go into detail, but they could as they were honest reasons.

Now I am fuzzy about revealing salary - I think they can check. I HAVE been asked in the past and I usually explain my salary and "my wish not to lose too much depending on job responsibilities and other benefits as I am negotiable". As I say, I may be wrong on this one and I may have been snookered. But again, employers are looking for honesty. (And just for the record, most employers KNOW the going wages among their competitors in order to stay competitive.)

And then there is always the questions - "is employee eligible for rehire? And is that by facility policy or not? They can ask that too.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Background checks show employment history, but nit reasons for leaving. I've never looked if this is federal law or state soecific, but while working in 2 different states, employers are legally nit aloud to disclose your reason for leaving. The only info aloud to be given for job verification is start/end date and position. Salary and reason for leaving can't be disclosed. This is why employers want letters of rec from previous managers or will ask for contact info from them and ask permission to get employment info from them.

I'm not saying to lie, but technically there is no legal way to find out if you were fired and the reason without you disclosing it. This is where you use words and phrases that minimize your faukt without completely laying blame on other people. Things like "it wasnt a good fit because of ABC." " I felt I wasn't given ample learning time, but realize I coukd have done xyz better. I will work harder in the future" and such.

This is untrue. Past employers can divulge any information they choose to about their previous employees, so long as the information is truthful. And it is perfectly legal.

What Can Employers Say About Former Employees?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Maybe not the preceptors, but once you are hired a hospital has invested a decent amount of money into you.

And if you were hired for 5+ weeks like the OP the hospital invested likely over 10,000$ into you.

So either they completely effed up in their hiring/screening/interviewing process, and hired someone who was completely incompetent.

Or they didn't put together a comprehensive organized orientation and training process, which resulted in a new grad failing.

Its certainly possible that a new grad is some combination of lazy and or stupid ( absolutely NOT talking about the OP, but in general). But then that would be on the hospital for doing a terrible job in their hiring process, hiring someone who is completely unqualified for the position.

im a HUGE proponent of personal responsibility.

But I also believe that every time a new grad sizzles and burns out it is ALWAYS at the fault of the hiring organization. And sometimes also at fault of the new grad themselves.

I'm sorry, but I must disagree that it is always the fault of the hiring organization if a new grad fails. Sometimes it's JUST the new grad. Not always. But sometimes.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Not to defend the OP too much, but he was fired 5 weeks in

So unless he was showing up late, leaving early, and drinking on the job

I cant imagine how or why someone would be fired as a new grad that soon.

A new grad failing 3-6 months in id be right with you, saying its likely the new grads fault for not being ambitious or assertive enough taking responsibility for their career

but 5 weeks !? Somethings funky

Either the OP is lying/leaving out key details, or the hospital that hired them screwed something major up

I've seen new grads fail that early: a new grad who takes no ownership of the job, the patients or the work will fail pretty darned quickly. A new grad who spends all of his time in the break room pontifications as how HE's NEVER going to work any night shifts or weekends, even though that was the position he was hired into. A new grad who "misplaced" narcotics twice in her first two weeks. A new grad who argues with the patients' families -- it's all about customer service you know -- or who is disrespectful of his boss. A new grad who has been over the same material daily for three weeks without seeming to retain the majority of it.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

OK, now you're talking nonsense. EVERYONE knows that the flu shot IS a form of mind control, that's part of it the vax giving you the flu. I've read all about it on the intranet...

LOL!!

[amoLucia]

OK, now you're talking nonsense. EVERYONE knows that the flu shot IS a form of mind control, that's part of it the vax giving you the flu. I've read all about it on the intranet...

Hey Bucky - get your facts straight! I think it was an article I saw in the National Enquirer. Or it may have been People magazine. Can't remember. (No offense meant.)

But re OP's post - there's no mention I saw if you were in an at-will state. Makes a difference if they don't like you for whatever reason.

And PP iPinkRN made a good point. Management may have viewed you as a complainer really early in their employ. That is a big red flag waving at them.

I would also suggest you to try & think back if you made any negative comments to co-workers or if somebody else overheard you doing so. It takes a while to learn who can be trusted or NOT trusted in your work unit. And in today's cut-throat work environment, some people just LOVE to run to mgt and tattle on newbies. That old WWII slogan "loose lips sink ships" may be applicable here.

For your sake, I hope it was just some quirk of that facility. But take the experience and learn from it. Good luck.

[caliotter3]

This is untrue. Past employers can divulge any information they choose to about their previous employees, so long as the information is truthful. And it is perfectly legal.

What Can Employers Say About Former Employees?

And as a matter of practicality, if the employer says it, that makes it truthful. I received that tidbit from an employment attorney.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

You asked for a new preceptor then asked to be transferred to a different unit...unfortunately those where reasons enough to let you go.

You worked a little over a month and so I wouldn't list the job on your résumé. New grads being fired during orientation is not unheard of, but you need to grow from the experience.

Most applications require actual application forms to be submitted (along with the resume). It's standard for the form to say "list all places and dates of employment". If the OP fails to include the fact she WAS employed, and is asked about it in an interview, she has to choose either lying in person ("I was looking for a job with a good fit") OR admitting to lying on the form ("oh, yeah, I DID work during that time, but didn't put it down because....").

Lying on an application is grounds for termination if hired, and rejection from application process if discovered prior to hiring. Lose/Lose scenario.

[iPink, BSN, RN]

I said resume for a reason. Submitting an application requires more detail, i.e. supervisor names and phones numbers, etc which would normally not be included on resumes. Still standing by my statement.

Sent from iPink's phone via allnurses app

[TSgtRodrigues, BSN, RN]

A background check with your social shows your criminal background, not your working background! This is why they ask you where you worked, dates, why left etc.

They let a new grad go at 5 weeks in? I feel like something more is missing! If there really is nothing missing, than something's not right & the hospital messed up! It just doesn't seem reasonable that they let a new grad go at 5 weeks because they didn't get along with the preceptor. Was the OP late? Unwilling to work nights/weekends? Were they argumentative? Did they talk bad about the preceptor to other coworkers? But then again, you are a new grad and you ask for a new preceptor & to switch units within 5 weeks? They may have seen the OP as unwilling to change themselves! Ask for a new preceptor....okay, that's cool, but if you are told no, move on and try and MAKE it work, don't try to find another way out!