Out of nowhere threatened to be fired?

[Toby1225]

I am in my fourth week of orientation on the unit that I precepted on during school. I basically took the job to get a years experience and then move on into an area that I am very interested in. I haven't had any problems, and my preceptor is giving me great feed back and I am learning a lot. Today I get called into my Unit Directors office and told that she has heard from staff that I am not taking care of my patients and all I do is sit at the computer. I don't understand as I have never heard anyone complain or say anything to me, I answer call bells and help anyone who needs it, even if I am in the middle of charting or getting a discharge ready. She then said if I do not straighten out I will be let go at the end of my orientation. I'm blown away.

i told the other nurses on the unit what she had said to me and they were all shocked as I am always helping and asking questions. I contacted my preceptor and she was shocked as well and had no idea what was going on. The UD changed my preceptor and said that I have to check in with the supervisor after every shift to see if I was up to snuff.

I was not given any examples of these instances that she was speaking of and she is never on the unit to see what I am doing. I don't know what to do and I am off of orientation in two weeks. The only thing I can think of is wear one of the nursing tracker tags to prove when I am in a PT's room. I have a five pt ratio and round at least every hour whenever possible. I am at a loss of what to do and any suggestions would be appreciated! The UD also said that she was letting the educator know and her boss of what was going on, but I STILL don't understand what she is talking about! Please Help!

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Are you getting your work done and if so did you point that out. That is really the the true test here. Are you doing your work and meeting the standards of care and asking for help as you learn or if you do not know the standard? They really need to explain to you concrete instances they are talking about. It is not fair nor can you correct any deficiencies if you do not know what they are! It is just like goal setting....you need to know the problem first so you can take corrective action and have measurable goals. I would insist on another meeting with you..your preceptor (the one that knows you) and the manager and ask for examples and not just vague statements. If she can point those out then you need to set up an action plan for correction with measurable goals.

Is she can't point those out for you and identify your specific deficiencies then I would be very suspicious that something else is going on here. Did something else happen and now they are looking to get rid of you! Is there any talk of budget cuts? Is there one person that may be a backstabber that happens to be buddy buddy with the manager? Something else may be going on here because it does not make any sense based upon what you stated thus far.

I would just stick to taking care of my patients and crossing all my Ts and focusing in on my learning going forward. If asked to help... you can do so but stay focused on what you need to be doing. Do not spend time chit chatting..keep your nose to the grindstone and try to chart in your pt rooms if you can or at an ancillary nursing station. Do not make any medication errors whatever you do! Time will tell what is going on.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Are you getting your work done and if so did you point that out. That is really the the true test here. Are you doing your work and meeting the standards of care and asking for help as you learn or if you do not know the standard? They really need to explain to you concrete instances they are talking about. It is not fair nor can you correct any deficiencies if you do not know what they are! It is just like goal setting....you need to know the problem first so you can take corrective action and have measurable goals. I would insist on another meeting with you..your preceptor (the one that knows you) and the manager and ask for examples and not just vague statements. If she can point those out then you need to set up an action plan for correction with measurable goals.

Is she can't point those out for you and identify your specific deficiencies then I would be very suspicious that something else is going on here. Did something else happen and now they are looking to get rid of you! Is there any talk of budget cuts? Is there one person that may be a backstabber that happens to be buddy buddy with the manager? Something else may be going on here because it does not make any sense based upon what you stated thus far.

I would just stick to taking care of my patients and crossing all my Ts and focusing in on my learning going forward. If asked to help... you can do so but stay focused on what you need to be doing. Do not spend time chit chatting..keep your nose to the grindstone and try to chart in your pt rooms if you can or at an ancillary nursing station. Do not make any medication errors whatever you do! Time will tell what is going on.

THIS.

Also do some self-reflection; is there ANYTHING in your behaviors that may have prompted this discussion?

Sometimes there is one moment that can be shaped and create a perception.

Best wishes.

[klone, MSN, RN]

It seems odd that your manager would have this meeting with you without your preceptor present or even aware.

[laKrugRN]

Toby, I am in the SAME BOAT! However, my preceptor was giving me positive feedback and then lying to management about things I had never done. (Like stating she "saw" me do wrong things on days she wasn't even there.. :facepalm:I know) I begged for another preceptor, my manager wouldn't budge. I finally started having to document EVERY ACTION (other than what I do for charting purposes, like questions I ask my preceptor and snotty answers I would get back) and have witnesses when I saw patients. My boss is still "skeptical" that my preceptor just had it out for me. I had seven nurses go in and stand up for me. I have a sneaking suspicion something else was going on. Even HR was being all hush-hush. Then on a Tuesday my boss told me I was doing GREAT. If I kept up the good work, I'd be fine. I felt better. TWO DAYS LATER on a Thursday, she brought me in and told me I would be terminated if I didn't improve. I was STUNNED. I demanded an explanation. She didn't have one. I went to HR. HR told me to "forget about it, and they probably were intimidated by my BSN" Really? I'm a new nurse! Nothing intimidating there. They gave me some bull list of things to improve on and I threw it back at them by explaining the policy and procedure word for word. I then went back and demonstrated step by step and aced it all. My other manager told me "I wouldn't get fired even though my other manager said I would." This place is seriously awful. I am currently seeking new employment. I truly believe it is budgeting, they want someone else or plain dislike me but they want me gone. I promise I have done nothing to warrant firing. If I had, fine! fire me! But I haven't. And also give me some explanations or examples! I hate sneaky secretive stuff!! I wish I would have listened to past nurses who have worked there when they advised me to not accept the job, but it's been a learning experience!

HUGS TO YOU TOBY! It is awful, but we will prevail and someday look back on this and hopefully laugh! But for now, let's pull out our hair, have a good scream, and maybe a hard drink!

[Toby1225]

All I can do is keep my nose to the grindstone and never leave my new preceptor's side. Right before I was called into her office I was told that the hospital was going to be going through a major renovation where all rooms would become private turning the hospital from a 600+ bed to a 400 inpatient bed hospital. But she hired three more nurses after me so I don't think that is the issue. It is very frustrating. If I made a med error wouldn't she inform me of this? I check each medication with a printed mar and a wow before I give ANY medication and take all the steps I need to to ensure PT safety. I guess only time will tell.

[kiszi, RN]

Just throwing this out there, but you mentioned in the beginning of your post that you plan to get a year's experience at this job before moving on. Could it be that you've said this to someone and your manager overheard or found out somehow? Nobody wants to train someone who is already planning their next move or who doesn't want to be there.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

And because you already have a BSN, you may be able to move on once you have a years worth of experience. And unfortunetely, some managers get a little insulted about that. Doesn't make it right, but it happens.

Tread lightly. You do NOT want your practice to come into question due to some weird culture on the unit. Ask for specifics going forward when receiving your daily feedback. And make sure you can relate these specific goals to your practice by examples.

Additionally, they can see exactly what you are doing on the computer--which I assume is charting--soooo it is not like you are playing some crushing candy game whilst the call bells are going off.....and if you were, they would know it.

And make sure that you are not discussing your ultimate goals--it is none of anyone's business at present. But I would do a little research on what it will take to specialize--some require one to have 2 or 3 or sometimes 5 years of experience. Then only you can decide it your present position is worth putting time into.

Good luck

[suanna]

Stay off the computer for personal use! Turn off/put away your phone when on duty! Spend every minute you are not on break providing patient care, or assisting others in thier patient care. I don't know if this applys to you but I have had new nurses absolutely shocked that they were expected to stay off thier phones/ the internet for personal use for thier entire shift. Once you are established as a dependable nurse who takes good care of your patient, you can consider what the "norm" is on this unit in recreatonal activities while on duty. It isn't enough that you "get your assignment done" or "get your meds out on time"- for the time being you are under the microscope, and if you want to make it on this job, make sure everything you do while at work applies to the job you were hired to do.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

It is shocking to be anonymously accused without any dates, factual information or supporting documentation. Were you given a written warning? If not, take it for what it is, just a lot of trumped up nonsense, - or an attempt to force your resignation.

This happened to me once, long story short, it was a case of mistaken identity and the CM would not admit that she made a mistake. That nonsense about me is still in a file somewhere.

So you have allegedly been neglecting your patients, a very serious and even board reportable accusation, and sitting at a computer. I would ask to meet with the person making these accusations. This is probably someone who has a poor understanding of what the RN duties entail.

If you are on a six week orientation, you should have some sort of weekly progress and goals evaluations. Save those. What is most troubling to me is that she changed your preceptor, and that you have to check in with the nursing supervisor after every shift. What on earth is that about?

What possible reason could they have for such draconian measures? Have you made errors or had a major incident? Have you had any conflicts with your coworkers? Who did you tick off? Family or visitor issues?

There has to be more to the story. Someone wants you gone and has filed a complaint.

This may not end well for you. You want to be eligible for unemployment in the event you are terminated and you won't be eligible if you are terminated for cause, which is poor attendance, neglect, abuse, misconduct etc.

There is a hospital on every corner in Pittsburgh, start looking elsewhere.

[duskyjewel]

The only thing I can think of is wear one of the nursing tracker tags to prove when I am in a PT's room.

Do it! If you have that resource to help you defend yourself, use it! Have you worn them before? If so, ask for your data to be pulled for the next meeting.

If any of your co-workers are willing to defend you and say they haven't seen such behavior from you, ask them to submit it in writing to this manager. Especially your preceptor should carry some weight, I would think.

It's awful be accused like this, but have you been open about your intention only stay a year and then move on? Because I agree with a PP that you could have a target on your back if you have, and this may all be a fancy way of getting rid of you to find someone they think will stay long term.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Just throwing this out there, but you mentioned in the beginning of your post that you plan to get a year's experience at this job before moving on. Could it be that you've said this to someone and your manager overheard or found out somehow? Nobody wants to train someone who is already planning their next move or who doesn't want to be there.

Before I even read beyond that sentence of the OP, that was my first guess about what is going on. I could see how your NM could be a bit turned off if she thought she was getting played.