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!

[psu_213, 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.

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

I agree that her NM should give her specific incidents/complaints. However, since the OP is a new employee, the organization may not have to go through the entire disciplinary process (for example, write up, verbal warning, probation, double secret probation, etc.) before the let the OP go. Also, speaking from the experience of family, there may be lots of hospitals in Pittsburgh, but not lots of nursing jobs.

To the OP: as said before, never use the computer for anything other than work related activity. Put you phone in your locker at the beginning of your shift and don't bring it out until the end of your shift. I'm not saying you are using either regularly for non-work activities, but it may only take somebody one instance of seeing you "playing" on your phone for them to think that it is all your do. Not fair to make such a jump, but it happens. Stay active in patient care and helping other nurses. Ask your NM (in a non-accusatory, non-confrontational manner) to give specifics of what people are saying about you…in the spirit of becoming a better coworker. Good luck to you!

[libran1984, ASN, RN]

Can u do all ur charting in the pt's room?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Think carefully..." I basically took the job to get a years experience and then move on into an area that I am very interested in."

Who knows this?

UD has been informed. Does not want to spend the $$ orienting you.

[caliotter3]

Only thing I can say is that you have been identified for termination and they are starting the "paper trail" so that you can not fight it. You can do your best to fight back by enlisting the aid of any and all that can help you, but if I were you, I would brace for the worst and I would start to hunt for the next job. Realistically, I think this one is doomed. For what it is worth, my husband was told by his immediate supervisor one time, three weeks before the end of his probationary period, that he wasn't going to make it although there had been no complaints whatsoever for six months. The boss had to get rid of him in order to put his girl friend into the job. You don't know what the reasoning is here, if there even is any, you can only react. I would react by doing my best and starting to look for another job. Best wishes.