Sigh... I don't even know where to begin... I've been lucky enough to be able to get another job after I was fired the first time. Am I going to be able to find a second job after the second time?!
When I graduated from school, I couldn't find a job in a hospital so I swallowed my pride and took a position in a LTC facility. Though I absolutely hated it, I knew that it was still experience and I could continue looking for another job while I was there at the LTC facility. After 3 months, I started looking around because I really just couldn't take enough of the stress: 25+ patients, passing meds, dealing with behavioral issues, not to mention the different culture of a LTC facility, and all the charting. I was confident in my knowledge of meds, procedures, treatments, etc. I hated working 5 8-hr shifts, but I have to say that I really benefited from the daily repetition and the daily OT for charting really allowed me to save $.
I was fortunate enough to land a job with my first call-back and first interview in a step-down unit. Orientation went really well for me due to my previous experience, which I hadn't even bothered to list on my application since I wasn't at the LTC facility long enough. I had a great relationship with my preceptor and I had positive feedback from her all throughout. I had some difficulty with my time management skills and there were a few bad days here and there, but I survived. I had a personality conflict with my back-up preceptor, which I *thought* wasn't a big deal since I didn't work with her often. Two nights before my probationary period was over, I had to work with my back-up preceptor. Grrr... The night went well until just before shift chage. My preceptor noticed that my post-op patient had an air leak- she was furious, but she told me that she would take care of it. I didn't cry, or have much of a reaction, but I offered my help, asked what I could do, etc. She huffed away in disgust and as soon as day shift arrived, she rushed off to tell our supervisors of the event. I humbly agreed that she should ask our supervisors to extend my orientation. I was embarrassed and horrified that I should have caught the air leak myself. My back-up preceptor was still in the office, even after I gave report on our patients. I waited around a little bit to try to say goodbye, but she never came out so I went home. The next time I arrive for my shift, I look for my name on the assignment board and I didn't see it. Oh no... I asked the charge nurse about my assignment. It was supposed to have been my last day on orientation. The charge nurse arbitrarily assigned me to one of the more senior nurses, knowing that I was about to be off orientation the next day. My morning went well until one of my patients fell because he was trying to wiggle to the edge of his seat d/t his swollen scrotum. I called for help, but no one came... (Way to go team! ) The only person that came to help me was one of our supervisors. Oh no again... I got hauled away to her office to discuss the air leak event, nothing was mentioned about the fall. I ended up getting canned the day before my probationary period was over. I was mortified and heartbroken. My badge was taken away and I had to beg security to let me out of the parking lot. I was distraught and angry at what had happened in the last few days. I wondered if these events had happened after the probationary period was over, would things have been different. In any case, I didn't have too much time to get depressed. I didn't look for a job until well over a week later. Lucky enough, I scored another position with my first interview!
My second position didn't begin until the following month. One month wasn't a horrible amount of time to wait and I was able to make some extra cash with the flu clinics in the meantime. I was grateful that luck had come my way. This time I was skeptical about my new position because of the higher acuity level and general awkwardness with a different patient population. After a few weeks time, I got over it. I really didn't have a choice. I made one huge med error where I was about to put the wrong medication in the wrong port. Oh crap! It was the middle of the night. I was tired. And I guess I was confused because the medications came in similar syringes. I had other med errors along the way: I gave an extra dose of IV lasix after it was changed to PO lasix because I missed the change; I was about to give 0.4 mg of a medication versus 0.04 mg, but it was caught because I had my preceptor check before I gave it. These med errors are inexcusable. I understand. The remainder of my orientation went well and I was sure to ask for help whenever I wasn't sure about something. Unfortunately, the med errors stuck out in my preceptor's mind and tarnished my reputation. My orientation was extended, and I was even able to make it through to the end of my probabationary period without too many complaints. I had some rough days too, but I survived. Again, two days before my probationary period, I showed up on my supervisor's radar. This time, an resident had complained about me: there was a whole slew of his orders that I had to work through and he had gotten annoyed that I was being slow. I heard about his complaint through a third party the following day; the resident, himself, never complained to my face, or ever acknowledged my existence for that matter. This complaint got through to my supervisor and I was canned again! Knowing that I had some difficult adjustments to my new unit, it wasn't entirely a surprise... But I was just horrified that I had been fired twice, again right before my probationary period ended.
At this point, I don't even know what to do with myself and I've lost confidence in myself as an RN. How do I go about looking for a job now?! Especially during this tough economic time, I'm falling into an awkward category. Am I still a new grad since I haven't had enough acute care experience or am I considered experienced, and therefore, ineligible for a preceptorship. I still feel like I need some hand holding at this point. Anyone else in a similar boat?
That first 90 day period is when both the hospital and you decide if it is a good fit for you both. That's why you were let go before probation ended. ONce probation ends, then they have to start the "paper trail" to fire anyone. An honest response could be "have have tried two poorly fitting positions and learned very much about my practice and where I don't belong". Just trying here, it's a suggestion anyway. It's a shame that your employers wouldn't have extended orientation for four more weeks to give you more time to acclimate. New grads make many wrong decisions and have many near misses.
It might benefit you to try something less acute, like observation, minor treatment centers? I'm sure others may have some suggestions too. Head high, as long as you learn from each experience you can only improve!
After reading your expirence I feel very blessed to be where I am. I would agree with others on the board, you were not a "right" unit for you. Try a unit with less accuity, or smaller hospital. Also when you do get a job, and you will one day, make sure you feel comfortable with the number and type of patients you have. Don't let them rush you!
I personally have no problems telling my preceptors, I have never had this, I'm not completly comfortable. Ask for help and DEMAND that you get it. If the nurse you are working with can't help in that moment, ask another who can. I lucky on my floor, people want to help, because they know I will never learn if they don't teach me the right way. Finally when you interview again, be honest. Don't hide behind your med errors, let your new employer know what you learned and how will never let it happen again. Ie triple checking Good luck!
Specializes in Plastics. General Surgery. ITU. Oncology.
I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. The UK system is much gentler on new grads or indeed experienced nurses in a new setting and you would never have been fired here, merely assigned to a mentor or preceptor.
You made mistakes. Big deal. The nurse that never made a mistake is a liar. We all do it and learn from it. God knows I've made a few and I've been nursing 20 years.
Well, I had until Saturday...that is when my 90 day probationary period would've been up....but today, I had a meeting with my Managers and I was asked to resign or be terminated....and that I wasn't good fit. Of course, being a new grad, I was fumbling along the past few months....... I was working in rehabilitation, which is a totally different way of nursing from what I was taught in school...I chose the job because I needed to be employed. I worked very hard..I got there early to be prepared and I stayed late. At times the work load would seem to be overwhelming (no different from any other unit lol). This past weekend was extremely busy and I had an older nurse (she works only 4 days a month) snap at me and I chose to snap back... in front of a patient..not a good thing to do while still in my first 90 days and also to a nurse that has been there for 20 years. So I came into work today thinking that I was going to have a meeting about what happened.....and it turned out to be a meeting to let me go. I was not expecting it. I thought that it was to hear my side and to possibly get a warning. But since my 90 mark was less than 5 days away, it was better to let me go. The managers were even upset about . They felt as if I would be better in a differnt unit, and that maybe rehab isn't my calling. I agree. I just wish that I couldv'e made the decision myself. I am eligible for rehire within the hospital.....right now this is just starting to sink in.. I feel inadequate.... I feel for every new grad that has been put in a similiar situation. I have never been fired or "let go" or made to resign before...... .... at least i have 86 days of nursing experience.
Specializes in L&D,surgery,med/surg,ER,alzheimers.
Had I or a co-worker made the med errors you did, I would expect me or them to be fired, to be completely honest. Med errors can harm or kill. Can you take another class on math and meds? or find a job where you do not pass meds? Sorry to sound so critical in your time of distress. But that is how it is were I have worked. If you need the extra help, get it and don't just keep finding more jobs of the same nature and keep expecting different results.
I have felt terrible ever since I wrote this post. I really want you to know that. You came here needing help and I was an old meany. You are full of grace and you will find that job that fits. Keep a smile on your face :) and in your heart :redbeathe
Wow, heartbrokenRN! I'm SO glad you shared your story because I, too, have a similar one of my own. I recently started on a high acuity med surg floor and didn't get along with my preceptor. Evidently some folks referred to her as "Godzilla" behind her back--a fitting moniker. She was not a kind person. Plus, there were many times she was just sitting there on her butt playing solitaire on the computer while I did all the patient care. I mean, isn't she supposed to be looking for things to teach me or something rather than just goofing off and getting paid for it!!?? Whatever. Anyway, the preceptor evidently walks on water as far as the manager is concerned, so after we didn't hit it off my days were numbered. After that, I got the microscope treatment. Everything I did was subject to the utmost scrutiny and nothing I did to try to improve was ever good enough. When I was fired (shortly after the end of floor orientation), no specifics were given as reasons. It was just that they felt that I "wasn't where we need you to be." So I supposedly wasn't making progress like they would like, but they couldn't tell me HOW I wasn't making progress. It was just a bunch of baloney. Bottom line is that I rubbed them the wrong way. I worked as hard as I could to satisfy them, always in a professional manner, but I still felt like the object detested. I am buoyed by your post. Now I feel like I'm not the only one. Thank you so much for sharing and good luck to you! :)
I tried to message you personally but, it wouldn't allow me to since I am not that active on this site. I know this thread is old but, it inspired me as I recently dealt with a very similar situation as you and gosh is it traumatizing. I gave myself about 2 weeks to be sad, angry, and now I am going to get back in it and be productive. I was wondering how you worded these situations into positive learning experiences during interviews. I am now re-applying/sending resumes and I will try again with the new grad programs but, wanted to know how I can justify my (week short of 3 month) critical care experience :/ . I would appreciate any tips you have for me.
Medication errors are a huge deal because they can kill a patient. I struggled my first unit as a LPN. Those nurses were catty and tried to teach me all those things I New were wrong or did not make sense. Fortunately I moved to another ward and was very successful. So I feel your pain in being fired. I was technically reassigned. But still a blow to my ego. You need to develop habits to the point of OCD especially with meds so that you don’t make mistakes. It will be time consuming at first. Repetition is key. If something seems strange, STOP! Reassess. Don’t ignore a gut feeling. In time, you will learn how to effectively cluster your care while making most patients think they are the only one you are caring for. Be friendly with the staff but don’t share too much. Some of them are only looking for ammo to take you down. Once you got a year in, you will know your job and your audience and can navigate the patient’s and your coworkers better. I am a RN now and working PRN in a LTC facility (never did LTC before) My first two weeks felt like I had never been a nurse before even though I was doing exact same stuff with no real change in scope(military LPNs do a lot). I was very slow but my caution and methodical nature were pointed out. Not to mention I only got maybe 5 days orientation on the unit. I did learn a lesson though that I should have known better. Don’t trust another nurse. If it seems funny, read the policy. If different charge nurses give you different answers, definitely find the policy. They are not experts just because they are a charge nurse, though they should be.
Zookeeper3
1,361 Posts
That first 90 day period is when both the hospital and you decide if it is a good fit for you both. That's why you were let go before probation ended. ONce probation ends, then they have to start the "paper trail" to fire anyone. An honest response could be "have have tried two poorly fitting positions and learned very much about my practice and where I don't belong". Just trying here, it's a suggestion anyway. It's a shame that your employers wouldn't have extended orientation for four more weeks to give you more time to acclimate. New grads make many wrong decisions and have many near misses.
It might benefit you to try something less acute, like observation, minor treatment centers? I'm sure others may have some suggestions too. Head high, as long as you learn from each experience you can only improve!