New grad just got fired

babiesX2 · Sep 15, 2006

I'm not the OP, but I want to thank everyone for sharing their experiences. It is a difficult thing to talk about and share with others. For years now, I've felt like I was the only nurse who has ever been fired.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2006

Wow...hugs and well wishes for the OP...everyone else who posted gave great advice. Firing someone when you shoudl be helping or educating them is just wrong.

Okay...not to play the bad guy, but what were the questions? Were they basic enough that you really should have know the anwers?

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Sep 15, 2006

Oh sweety! I hear you loud and clear...here is my story of my first job, and I did find the way to continue on...and frankly you will not believe that I did!

I was working in med surge at a local and very large/busy hospital. I had a very vast diversity of pts and ailments and I was learning fast as a new grad. NO one was there to help me, so I pretty much had to pull up my own boot straps so to speak and get moving. Therefore I did things MY WAY, and according to protocols (which I found on a dusty shelf).

I was very well liked by the patients and RN staff! I dealt with many ethical delemas that to this day I am very proud of! I thought I was kicking bootie and taking names and was thrilled! It was around Christmas time that I wanted to earn some extra money...so I started working other peoples shifts to earn money for a telescope that my hubby wanted ($700.00).

Well...a week before Christmas I get a call into a Nurse Managers office I had NEVER met. Had no idea why I was being called in, I hadn't done anything wrong...but none the less I came in early for my shift and met with her.

Now to this day I do call her the spawn of satan! This woman didn't even greet me! She just told me to sit down..didn't even look at me. I sat...and got honest to GOD screamed at for a good 5 minutes without time to interup for never showing up for shifts, being difficult to work with, nurse and pt complaints...and much more! I was stunned and was able to get a word in and asked her if she was sure she had the right person!!! I spelled my name out and everything...she couldn't have been talking about me...I had made all my shifts without fail, never late, and working more shifts than normal!

That made her even angrier...and she continued to yell at me. I was shaking like a leaf when I finally said enough is enough or I am going to actually physically jump over that desk and harm her! I slammed my hands on her desk to make her stop...and calmly said...

"I will be going on to my shift now (if I didn't they could get me for neglect), and when I am done, I will be calling security...giving them my badge and keys and having them escort me off the property after proving I have nothing of this facilities property on me...They will take me to my car, I will drive home and never come back." I turned and walked out the door as I heard her yell..."You will never work in nursing again". And I laughed and said...well you better get my name right because you have the wrong person!".

I did exactly what I said (the security head was a friend of mine). That working day was the hardest working day in my life...it was so hard to concentrate on pts under those conditions. But I did it!

I found work easily and have never had too much probelm since (there was a time where I couldn't find work for 3 months..but eventually did).

Now I work in another hospital and LOVING IT!

YOu can make it...stand up for yourself and let those that will belittle you by the wayside! Personally if I had that person talking to me in that way I would have been out the door at end of shift. They need me more than I need them I feel, and that deserves respect..heck..being human deserves more respect than some people give! LOL!

Keep your chin up and keep looking...your real job is out there.

kristen3g3tp8 · Sep 15, 2006

As a new grad, I would be confused about what I did wrong. I would ask for a meeting with preceptor/nurse manager (exit interview) and request a written explanation detailing areas that were lacking. I would explain that I needed this information in order to better prepare myself for my next work experience.
I'd be persistent.

That's scary... I know I bound to screw up something! I mean its human nature isnt it? Itsn't there a nursing shortage? You think they would attempt to teach you from your mistakes, especailly if they arent putting clients in danger. I would attempt to fight it while looking for another job... I mean, I am sure you have already thought about telling your next employer that you've been a nurse for 3 months... and then I got fired. So... talk to them, get the story straight, and see if you get possibilly keep your job at that particular hospital in maybe a different unit. Best of luck... keep in mind that this situation doesnt seem to be your fault. Don't feel like a failure, you're not... they were just expecting something that the new nurse isnt capable of giving. :)

Liddle Noodnik · Sep 15, 2006

OTOH! (On The Other Hand...)

I have read some posts on this board that indicate that some are scared to death to pursue nursing. I guess I would be too if I were reading more of the NEGATIVE posts than the positive ones (and as humans sometimes we sometimes forget to mention the positives). I don't want people to get the impression that ALL RN's are mean, dishonest, or have forgotten where they came from.

When someone new (or a student) is working with a preceptor or an instructor, part of what you must learn is to take advantage of ALL the resources available to him/her. This means their assigned guide of course, but also, other nurses, RT's, PT's, the computer, a textbook, etc. Of course if you are unable to use your preceptor at all - then you need to see if you can be re-assigned.

Tricky business, eh? But it is just like anywhere else. Some coworkers are great to be with, others you have to pray for a lot (LOL).

Good luck to you and to anyone else reading here. Look for the threads that refer to the positive aspects of nursing, and weigh them against the negative. This will help you to make a more informed decision :wink2:

cannoli · Sep 15, 2006

What is your age group? Do you think that might have come into play in some way, particularly if you have a lot of life experience?

Go and apply somewhere else as if that would be your first job.

Good luck!

Todd SPN · Sep 15, 2006

I'm so sorry this happened to you. Gaining confindence and becoming proficient at nursing is hard and takes time. There were many times when I first started that I felt totally inadequate and wondered why I didn't get fired. Lucky I guess. A month after getting my job in LTC the state came in for the yearly inspection. I recall one of the inspectors asking me a question that I should have known about a resident but didn't and she obviously was checking my knowledge. After saying, "I'm sorry, I didn't hear your question" I thought about what she had asked as she repeated it. Took an educated guess and checked it out after the inspector left. I was relieved when it turned out my answer was correct. I certainly hope you overcome this with your self-worth as a nurse intact.

Todd

buddiage · Sep 15, 2006

I am still searching for the strength to move on. I was called in the office yesterday and given the pink slip. I am a new grad, just graduated in May and passed nclex a couple months later and got my first job on a med surg floor.. I started work the end of July and I was on orientation and had three preceptors. The educator dilligently came around and ask me questions about my pts. Basically this lady just hammered on things I told her I needed to look up. She nailed me on things I failed to answered correctly plus exaggerated . And guess what she had it all documented, correct me if i am wrong, am i suppose to answer all her questions correctly? DO all nurses truly and honestly know qthing about their pts? it was the completion of my orientation and they pulled me and said byebye!! Besides, My preceptor just told me how great I was doing the other day.

Just remember, when one door closes, another one opens. Your orientation will enable you to have the experience to know what to expect for your next job. I know it must be difficult to not fret. This pink slip does not equate to your value or worth as a nurse, you must realise that. Find the right environment. You can do it, just keep on plugging away.

Krista

Liddle Noodnik · Sep 16, 2006

Just remember, when one door closes, another one opens. Your orientation will enable you to have the experience to know what to expect for your next job. I know it must be difficult to not fret. This pink slip does not equate to your value or worth as a nurse, you must realise that. Find the right environment. You can do it, just keep on plugging away.
Krista

Are they really still pink? They should be "blue"...

Sorry, I couldn't resist!

snowfreeze, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2006

Sounds like a cheap shot at having worker bees for a short time and never really having to give you benefits. Run to another better environment, don't ever work for that place again. 'At will' states will suffer until they change their ways.

sara marie · Sep 16, 2006

Sorry to hear that happened to you. It was really unfair.I just orientated several nurses with years of experience. I was flabbergasted at how little nursing they knew, basic nursing 101, possibly they had forgotten or just had not been using their skills enough. None of them were fired and most all have worked out fine, just needed time and some help. Nursing can be a really tough field and sounds like you learned that very soon . Hange in there , most hospitals are that cruel.

RebeccaJeanRN · Sep 16, 2006

Wow...what a blow to have that happen- I'm so sorry you are going through this experience. In trying to think positive, I can't help but wonder if maybe its actually a good thing that it happened right NOW, coming right off orientation, than in 6 months...because now you can explain to the next employer whatever you believe to be true (nobody having time to train a new nurse, explain things, whatever) but in 6 months, it will look like you oriented well and THEN started to do poorly. In other words, a new employer may suspect that you slacked off or started getting careless or getting patient complaints once orientation was well behind you...so I'm thinking that the fact that this happened when you were BRAND NEW is better than after many months along. I do hope also that someone will be kind enough to share with you EXACTLy the reasons why it happened, even if confidentially and off-the-record. Everyone deserves to know the 'why' of it.