New grad just got fired

[rn2day]

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.

[babalou58]

Hi Girl,

don't worry ,you'll always find a job....so sorry that your facility lost a good ,efficient RN.

BABALOU58

[lannisz]

See? You are not the only new nurse this has ever happened to my dear...look at all the responses to your post! I can assure you, from experience, not only will you find another job, you will learn from this experience and someday look back and be glad it happened!

[csiln]

I wasn't fired but asked to transfer to another unit on nights, I went one night and decided I didn't want to work there. I'm "gun shy" now and after 6 weeks still have not actively looked for another job.

I'm on this website everyday, and if I've learned anything from what I've read, your time with your preceptor and the sincerity of your preceptor to see that you orientate to your position and the others you work with (whether they're supportive or mean) will decide if you stay where you're at.

The nicest nurses I worked with went through hell on the same floor by some of the same nurses, but I had to ask myself if this is why I went into nursing. The answer was no!! I don't want nursing to be my life and that's what it became -- always wondering what I did wrong, why were the other nurses so mean, etc. ,etc. and only having a preceptor 5 days . . . . anyway, you get the point.

I sincerely hope you get past this and move on to a place that appreciates a person who wants to be a good nurse if given the opportunity.

[Liddle Noodnik]

... I am being put on administrative leave because I didn't follow procedure properly! I didn't know what that meant and since I got that news, (on my answering machine yesterday) they haven't called me back to tell me what I did wrong???........I feel like they are sabbotaging me and I am scared...I have always felt very unsafe there and meant to find another job earlier and now I hope it is not too late! I don't drink and have only taken 2 narcotics in my whole life and that was for my tonsillectomy!

Long term care is hard when you are the RN Supervisor, not to mention one who only got 3 days of shabby training as a brand new nurse....Any advice?? Prayers???

I agree that 3 days of training as a new nurse is ridiculous! So how are you supposed to know policy about EVERYTHING - the nurse you signed off to on the next shift should have TOLD YOU you couldn't leave.

I have always felt uncomfortable with that "leaving the narcs in the med room til we can put them away" thing. That used to happen in some places I've worked and it is an accident waiting to happen.

I think too, that if you were put on leave, everyone should have been, until the situation was totally evaluated. INCLUDING the guy who delivered the meds.

God bless, and hope everything works out ok!

[ilnurse35]

I was fired from a job shortly after I got my RN licence. I had a 1 month eval and was graded above average on everything. Then, when they did a 2 month eval, I was marked below average on everything. I worked so hard at that job and was devistated at the 2 month evaluation. I couldn't figure out why I would get such a bad evaluation only 1 month after I got a good one. That has been 10 years ago, and I have successfully moved on. But the thing that I found difficult was how to tell a prospective employer why I was fired without sounding like I was bashing my previous employer. What I did, and I'm sure it wasn't right, was left them out of my previous employers section on applications. I was only there 2 months, and it did make it easier. I suppose my point is, there is life after being fired, and you'll be wiser the next time, and there are wonderful places to work where the more seasoned nurses will take you under their wing and teach you rather than make you feel stupid.

[ipdegirl]

If you have no idea that you were about to be fired, something is wrong with the management. You should always know how you stand. Same kind of thing happened to me. Pulled into the office with NO IDEA how 'badly' my NM thought I was performing. Don't blame yourself! In my case, and I'm guessing in yours, you weren't given the right support (not enough education during orientation, not enough HONEST feedback, co-workers who didn't let on to what was going on or weren't honest enough to tell you what was going on), probably weren't told how 'terrible' your mistakes were until it was too late, if at all and maybe just didn't fit in with the rest of the crew. I was SO ANGRY after it happened to me! Right after I was asked to resign I marched myself right down to the Nurse Recruiter's office and scheduled an interview with another department. The interview, 2 weeks later (went to the beach, reflected and tried not to stress during that period of time) went well. I was completely honest with the NM and told her how I worked my butt off but was still railroaded. Got the job and fit in MUCH better, had a very honest relationship with my NM and was very relieved to be working there and not on the other unit. Keep your chin up and interview for another position ASAP!! Get right back in there!! Good Luck!

[bmh-lpn]

I completely understand. I was fired back in my earlier days as a new grad for saying the word "ain't" in front of a patient. She also hated my accent. The Dr. had an accent herself from the State she was from! Did not know I had one? Guess I do ;'D Most people who know me, including my instructors at the college couldn't believe it! I was fired on my 89th day of employment! If I was able to work 90 days I could have claimed UE! Well, later I found out from the Receptionist that I was only hired to get her office set up and organized so that the Dr's Sister-n-law (not a nurse) would be able to step right in and not be bothered with the new move. (The Dr. was new and just moved in from out of state). I was hired as a permanent employee. Never was I told or aware it was a temp. job. The receptionist lost her job after the Dr was able to get some great deals on landscaping her newly built mansion from her and hired another family member to take her place. ( Receptionist Husband owned a landscaping biz) Anyway... looking back now I am glad it happened and went on to much better jobs with much better pay where I was much better appreciated!

Things happen sometimes for a reason as Mom always said.

[silverdollar]

hey, sounds to me the nurse educator and preceptor was not doing there job. the educators job is to help you learn what you need to know to take care of your pt's. am i right? this being your first njob out of school you probably felt a bit timid and intemidated. afraid to speak up much. all the books and learning you do in school really does not pepare someone for the floor of nursing, can't compare to hands on . :wink2: :wink2: :wink2:

[lpn2a]

I am so sorry this happened to you. Take time to get past it emotionally. Realize you are smart enough to get through the RN program and you remembered enough of what you were taught in school to pass your boards. You met the NCLEX criteria to be an RN. A job well done. So you can't remember every detail about each patient. Big deal. That is what charts are for. How many times have we had to remind the MD about which pt. he is about to see or talk to. We don't know what is happenening behind the scenes at your previous place of employment. There could be politics involved that have nothing to do with you. I am one of those that believe that things like this happen for a reason and that there is a better job for you. At some point you will be able to look back at this and have a better understanding of the situation. There may be someone in you future that will need you support after going through a similar situation. Keep you head up. I don't know if you are a Christian, but I am and I will lift you up to my Heavenly Father. I pray that he will give you wisdom and guide you through and open door to the perfect job for you.

[heartbeat2]

I hate that things went the way they did for you. You have the right to know what made them come to their decision. I was almost in your shoes when I began my nursing career. The times I was "counseled" was during general conversations with everyone around and I didn't have a clue I was being counseled,..just like you..."how's everything going" kind of questions.

This had happened 3 times and I had no idea it was being written up. I was called to the office of the director and was told " lacking general skills", and vague things like this. Boy was I hot under the collar, but I was able to maintain my composure. It was just me and the director. I asked what "general" skills, when was I spoken to and when was this written up, that I was not aware I was being reprimanded. I was told that the charge nurse and the supervisor wasn't available at this time. I asked when could we get together and set up a meeting, that THIS was my first clue that there was a problem!!!! The next day, one of my co-workers came to me and asked if she could help. We went into a room and she talked to me very open and honestly. NOT ONE PERSON had ever said anything to me at all, come to find out...if anyone other than my charge nurse had said anything to me, I could have gotten them in trouble as they were not my superiors.

My co-worker said she could tell a very big change ( that was needed) on the very next day. It was simple things but when added together, I wasn't as productive as I should've been. This was 25 years ago and I was scared to death. We didn't have mentors or anything like they do today. I graduated nursing school and went to work. Simple as that.

Most of all, hang in there. It's depressing to hear your story, but it will get better. Be one to ask ?'s and seek out "what can I do better" from those above you (sounds like that's what you were doing though). We do eat our young many times, and there are times when it's not noticed.

I will be forever grateful to my co-worker that spoke to me, and it's made me speak up when others would repeat what was done to me. It's always been positively received, when it's been constructive and not just bashing and the person is asking for guidance.

Some people just can't confront even on the simplest things and when being asked for guidance. Don't give up.

[melpn]

Sorry this happened to you. Keep good notes on your pts., using a form is best w/ spaces to fill in, then you are less likely to forget. If the facility doesn't provide one, make one up on the computer. Remember, it's okay to smile and say "let me consult my sheet". After being questioned so many times, I'm sure you looked a bit flustered and that can translate into " I can't keep up" or something similar in her mind. You'll be fine. You're new. You will find your rhythm and become a smoother, more efficient worker. Give yourself a chance even if they didn't. Good luck to you in your career!

[tkane]

I also graduated in May, altho my experience has been positive it reminds of the reputation nurses have about eating their young. Hang in there & try not to let this influence you to much. Good luck.