PLEASE HELP! fired/demoted RN still on orientation

[jrobbin44]

I've seen a few threads along these lines which have helped me feel "not alone", but I have a few questions I haven't seen the answers to.

I started out on a cardiac/step down unit and was told if it wasn't a "fit", they would help me find another floor. I anticipated this switch as I was struggling to keep up on some levels... first job outside of home after 15 years, "adult learner", etc. Last week, the charges/acting director met with me, and as I had anticipated, they deemed I wasn't a "good fit". No write ups/med errors, just not catching on quick enough. HOWEVER, instead of the move to another floor, they told me there was no other position available (despite the med-surg floor offering double overtime to nurses because they are so short), and offered me a position as a tech or sitter! You can imagine my complete devastation. It has taken me a good week to even get out of bed.

I was informed by HR that if I didn't accept one of these positions, they would have to report the firing to the licensing commission which would affect future jobs, if any. I'm in NY. Is this true? Is everything ruined now because I didn't fit correctly?

In the meantime, the Chief Nursing Officer called me in to offer me "another chance on a different floor", though I won't know for sure until Friday that that offer still stands and have very quickly put applications into other facilities while I am technically still a "nurse in good standing". I am extremely disheartened. On top of that, I'm a single parent and have no way to pay my bills in the upcoming month without a job.

Definitely on the pity pot, but looking to get off! Any input would be appreciated!

[Altra, BSN, RN]

There are some states where employers are required to report all terminations for performance reasons to the BON. Know your state regs.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

I am a new RN, yes. Graduated in December, passed boards in February. Is "constructive dismissal" a nice term for forced resignation?[/quote

Yes, constructive dismissal is making conditions such that the employee sees resigning as a better option than termination. Hopefully the meeting with the CNO means they are going to extend your probation and offer a RN postion on another floor.

[jrobbin44]

Nothing missing from the story as far as,I know. I was told my ceitical thinking is not where it should be at this point (3 mos), and where I was told originally that if I didn't make it on the tele /step down unit, I would be transferred to another floor, I was presented with tgis step down to sitter ($10/hr) or tech ($14.50/hr). I have put in apps elsewhere, and am waiting to see what the CNO says Friday (who supposedly rescinded the demotion to offer me another position as an RN), but don't trust anything anyone says until I see it on paper. Everything I had been told so far was not true, so I'm feeling a little scared. I have apps in other places... no med errors /write ups, etc. Just not good enough.

[jrobbin44]

Tech is an aide withca pay cut. Sitter is a safety companion, even lower pay cut

[Farawyn]

Tech is an aide withca pay cut. Sitter is a safety companion, even lower pay cut

But you have a license as an RN. No write ups or horrible mistakes, you said, right?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Demoting you to sitter or tech, involves your credentials. You are still an RN in the eyes of the BON. That is a very strange offer.

Can you elaborate on "not a good fit "and inadequate critical thinking skills? You need concrete examples of your performance, in order to improve. THAT is management's responsibility.

[jrobbin44]

So I did call the board of licensing. Since I made no med errors/safety errors, there would be no "mark" so to speak on my license. Thats a relief to start with...

[jrobbin44]

Concrete examples include not rehooking pt returned to unit to NG tube. HOWEVER, no one (per protocol) told me he was back. Another nurse accepted him back, but never told me. She apologized later, but the only thing that was communicated was that I didn't rehook him.

Critical thinking includes things like giving Drs nore info than they need, giving IV vasotec w/out tele certified RN there, though nothing was mentioned by the RN trainjng me on it the week before and i did administer properly. Have had several preceptors throughout due to staffing. No write ups were made about these, so while I admit I should have looked it up, not sure if that counts as a med error. Putying a pt w/low BP flat instead of Trendelenberg. Also, not getting admissions done quickly enough. Worrying about the "little things" like orders for SCDs, not delegating enough. That has been the feedback.

[Caffeine_IV]

Concrete examples include not rehooking pt returned to unit to NG tube. HOWEVER, no one (per protocol) told me he was back. Another nurse accepted him back, but never told me. She apologized later, but the only thing that was communicated was that I didn't rehook him.

Critical thinking includes things like giving Drs nore info than they need, giving IV vasotec w/out tele certified RN there, though nothing was mentioned by the RN trainjng me on it the week before and i did administer properly. Have had several preceptors throughout due to staffing. No write ups were made about these, so while I admit I should have looked it up, not sure if that counts as a med error. Putying a pt w/low BP flat instead of Trendelenberg. Also, not getting admissions done quickly enough. Worrying about the "little things" like orders for SCDs, not delegating enough. That has been the feedback.

Good luck! I hope you get the other offer.

All of those issues are things that can be fixed. Time management will come. It would help to have 1 or 2 preceptors for consistency.

Research doesn't support using trendelenburg for hypotension so I wouldn't be concerned about that bit.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

We stopped using the Trendelenberg position for hypotension years ago. Everything I research about it claims it is really bad to use on anyone with heart problems, and only helps BP temporarily for a minute or so. Causes more harm than good. Also weird about not being able to give IV vasotec without a "certified RN" present. Huh? Sounds to me like someone doesn't like you, and they are determined to find reasons for you to go.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

We stopped using the Trendelenberg position for hypotension years ago. Everything I research about it claims it is really bad to use on anyone with heart problems, and only helps BP temporarily for a minute or so. Causes more harm than good. Also weird about not being able to give IV vasotec without a "certified RN" present. Huh? Sounds to me like someone doesn't like you, and they are determined to find reasons for you to go.

This is my suspicion as well.

These are all small things that most of us have done.

Think about your relationship with your preceptors and your manager.... someone simply wants you out. They have no qualms beating up on you to do it.

Whatever, you are getting off that unit. There is a big lesson here, if you can identify it.

[jrobbin44]

Just agonizing and very disheartening. I worked so hard to get through school- to pass my boards- etc. even to get the job at this particular hospital, and I feel like a complete failure. Being fired/unfired/ unsure within the first 3 months of practice. On the positive, I was offered another FT job working with the Developmentally Disabled today (interview was yesterday). I have 2 developmentally disabled children, so maybe this is the right place for me....