New Grad Resigned from 2 jobs within last 8 months

[buckheimer]

Hello all,

I am an silent avid reader of allnurses.com and fully appreciate all the tips and sage advices that you all have given to one another.

This time--Im the one who has a problem and would like your thoughts about it.

I became an RN last Oct following an accelerated program. Being an RN is my 2nd profession as has been doing my own gigs during the past 16+ years. I was hired as an ER nurse on my first job. I passed the orientation program which lasted for 8 weeks but was forced to resign after 4.5 months otj due to "lacking of assessment skills."

I reapplied and this time got into another ED department. I worked hard and really did my best on this one but apparently after several times of being "passed" around by different preceptors I was let go before my 3rd month. It was a tough pill to swallow because not only did I do my best, I believe I was not given enough time to blossom into a full fledge nurse. In my weekly evaluation, there were good eval with the same ongoing project, type. but was surprised on my final day when they forced me to resign--they list all the "bad stuff" that I've had for which some were unknown to me or not shown on the weekly eval report or if its known, basically ive improved on the next ones.

I felt betrayed because I am new and I need to learn and I was given the impression that if a newbie is not ready by the 12th week of orientation, it will be extended to 16 weeks, etc. The reality is I did not made the cut and I dont blame them because a lot of new hires here have years and years of ED experience for which I dont have.

I feel I did good but apparently, my colleagues dont think so. Of course, compared to other RN colleagues who's had 10+ years of ER experience, I am a neophyte. Whats the point of training a newbie where you can hire an "oldie" who's got experience.

My question now is--how do I get hired on a med-surg or other units with 2 jobs within 8 month period ? How do I explain the reason for leaving ? Am I considered a bad applicant for not holding a job longer than 5 months ?

Would appreciate your thoughts on this matter. Im a newbie and it just feels so discouraging to know that you cannot trust your colleagues because of the backbiting and stuff going around this profession. Sorry for the rant but thats the way I feel right now. :confused:

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I'm sorry to hear you are having a rough start. The ER is a very fast paced environment where they need people that can assess and learn quickly. Have you considered maybe going to a med-surg floor and working their for a year to improve your skills, and then transferring to an ER?

[Scrubmouse RN]

I would tell the truth as to why you needed to resign. Something to the effect of " As a new graduate, I don't think I was ready to jump into the fast paced world of the ER and I've come to realize that as a new grad I will flourish and learn more by working in a med surg unit with supportive colleagues and managers...." Be truthful. Honesty can come a long way. Good luck to you!

[Ruthfarmer]

Get out and interview. Be frank when asked about your RN work experience. There's no shame in saying that a job was not a good fit.

It's a bit unrealistic to expect a new graduate to be immediately proficient and successful in an ER setting. During your first year out of school, you are still trying to develop your hands on skills and become proficient with basic routines. Once you have a good handle on basic skills, procedures, and policies, you would be better able to work proficiently at the accelerated pace required in a busy ER.

There are lots of other settings besides the ER. Keep looking until you find a better fit. Don't be discouraged if it takes a while to find another position. Don't take it personally. The economy is circling the bowl and in many locales there are plenty of nurses standing in line for a job.

[skylark, BSN, RN]

To be honest, I've never supported having new grad nurses in the ER. We have had them of course, and one or two have flourished, but many have just sunk, ovewhelmed by the assessing skills and initiative they need.

Like others have said, maybe get experience elsewhere, and then return in a year or two. Buy a study guide to the CEN and see what you are letting yourself in for : )

[carene]

I had a similiar experience in a different department. The preceptor was the Manager's sister-in-law and they were very good friends. My preceptor was, I guess, a good nurse, but a lousy trainer. After every shift I went home and cried because all she did was criticize; I NEVER did anything right. I didn't want to complain at my weekly evals, obviously - manager's friend and sis-in-law, but when I lost it and cried it came out. I refused to put anything in writing or repeat my statements, but she got transferred and my manager was never nice to me again.

After I had been on this floor (Tele) for about 6 months, during which my Manager refused to send me to EKG training or ACLS training, I was in an auto accident which damaged my neck and back and I had to take medical leave for treatment. When I was permitted to return to work I hoped I would be assigned to another floor, but no, I had to go back to having a preceptor which was ok with me. Too bad they only gave me that for one week, then I went back to night shift (which I like btw). But they kept giving me more and more patients who much sicker than usual. One night I had 2 discharges, 4 admissions and 2 of them were transfers from ICU and Step Down. I was so naive; amazing considering my experience in owning my own business for 10+ years. Somehow I expected better from Nursing. I was also in a 2nd degree Accelerated Program. I worked in Politics for 10 yrs prior to owning a business, and the backstabbing and lying and manipulation in the field of Nursing can definitely give politicians a run for their money.

Don't get me wrong, some of the finest professionals I've ever met were Nurses. It's a shame that some nurses do their best to drive new nurses out of the profession. I was told by my attorney I had an excellent case for inappropriate dismissal but I didn't want to go through the nightmare of a lawsuit.

I hope things work out for you. I've continued nursing, but only part time private duty, and feel I really need more experience in a hospital setting to be excellent. But I know now that's not likely to happen. I'm in debt up to my neck due to getting this BSN, and mostly wish I hadn't done it. The saddest thing to me is, I really loved what I was doing, and wanted very much to dedicate myself to this new career.

[caliotter3]

I would tell the truth as to why you needed to resign. Something to the effect of " As a new graduate, I don't think I was ready to jump into the fast paced world of the ER and I've come to realize that as a new grad I will flourish and learn more by working in a med surg unit with supportive colleagues and managers...." Be truthful. Honesty can come a long way. Good luck to you!

This is how I would approach it.

[Nov2010]

So sorry for everything you've been through. It's a shame how some nurses eat their young. Even doctors look out for each other. Don't give up. Start with smaller hospitals (med-surg) or if you like long-term care, work in subacute/skilled units. I wish you the best

[ChuckeRN, BSN, RN]

I'm curious as to know what made you think ER was for you and that you could handle it? Did you spend any time in the ER during your preceprotship/externship? If so, were you allowed to do things on your own?

I admit I'm ticked off every time I read about a new grad going into ER, ICU, etc., and can't handle it. It just makes all new grads seems like idiots.

And I agree with scrubmouse - be honest.

[tma0312]

I think some new grad RN's are exceptional and can excel at an ICU or ED position if given proper training. Where I started, new grads in those units got 6 months minimum of orientation before they were reassessed to see if they needed longer, and sometimes they did, but they were not forced to resign if they needed longer. We had an awesome new grad program in which all new RN's were closely managed for 12 months following their start date. The support was amazing and we all felt extremely competent after finishing the program.

But, since this is not your case, I would definitely try a slower pace environment where you can really work on just "being a nurse" without all the chaos of the ED. Being forced to resign once might be a fluke, but twice...it should make you reconsider your "best fit."

Good luck!!

[juliemjkim]

Here in NYS, there is a law put in place that states that in order to have a position as an ER nurse, a minimum of 1 year medsurg is required....and I completely agree. ER nurses are on a completely different playing field and the job is tough. You've got to know what you're doing and you've got to do it fast. I think it's pretty much close to crazy that your orientation was only 8 weeks. How could they expect you to be ready and go out on your own in just 8 weeks??!!

I'm a medsurg float nurse and my orientation was 8 weeks!

When you go for a medsurg position, make sure that you tell the manager that you were only on an 8 week orientation and even though you learned a lot in those 8 weeks, there was just no possible way that you could be held to the standard of a skilled ER nurse. Point out your weaknesses, but emphasize on your strenghs and capabilities!

I'm sure that you've learned an abundance of information and skills through working in the ER and show those managers just that!

Good luck :)

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

I'm sorry you had those bad experiences. It's hard to be in an unsupportive environment as a new grad.

In the future though, never let anyone "force you to resign." There is a huge difference between resigning and being fired- mainly that you can't collect unemployment if you resign. While you might think resigning looks better than being let go, it also makes you look like a job-hopper and an employment risk. I think you were taken advantage of because of your inexperience in that aspect.

But now, what's done it done. There is nothing you can do to change it, so don't worry about how facilities will view your application. They will see what they want to see. Keep applying and interviewing. The advice about saying that you weren't ready for ER but think you will do well in Med Surg is very good.

Good luck to you.