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!
A lot of the things you mentioned sound like newbie "mistakes" I guess you could say... It takes time to learn how to properly delegate and I dont think it should be something mastered when you are not even off of orientation. If the pt was not harmed by being off of his suction in the time frame they were off of it, that should be taken as a learning experience and you should be able to move on from it. The trendelenberg thing is just stupid...I have also heard it has been disproven to be more effective for hypotension than simply lying flat. I think it sounds like some of the staff just don't like you for whatever reason and you should not take it to mean that you are a failure or incompetent. I went to nursing school in CT and I also remember hearing that you cannot legally work as an aide with a nursing license, so for them to offer that is weird. If you are still on orientation, I would apply to another nursing job and not mention your employment at this hospital and then when you are in your next orientation, you will be a lot better prepared and look awesome to that staff. I quit my first nursing job while I was on orientation because I felt like I was not fitting in and was being bullied by a few people. I got another job and did not experience the same things as before because it was just a different environment, different group of people. I also did not mention the other hospital when applying for the next job because I was still on orientation.
After I graduated college, I took a job on the other side of the country, in a state where I didn't know a single person. Just short of 3 months in to my orientation at the childrens hospital (it was a 3 month probationary period for all new hires), I was brought into the educators office and told that I wasn' a good fit. When I asked what the problem was, I was told that I didn't seem like I wanted to learn and I didn't help others. Neither of those were true, honestly....but I did know that my preceptor didn't love me. They didn't have any concrete examples of things that I had done wrong. They said I just wasnt a good fit and that they were sending me back to the adult/main hospital educator. So I met with THAT educator and he said that he didn't have anything for me and that perhaps I should look for a job elsewhere. I was so frustrated because I had worked hard and been very frustrated for the last three months, trying to make it in a place that I didn't feel welcomed. And benefits didn't start till the 3 month mark, so I felt like I was cheated to be told to resign just a week before I became a benefitted employee. The only option I was offered was to try to apply for the PICU or NICU internships, but it was a long shot since I had already been "fired" by the peds floor. Or apply to a different hospital.
But then.....two days later, the PICU in that same hospital called me and offered me a chance to interview for their internship. And then the NICU called. I interviewed for both and was offered both positions! I took PICU, and it has been a perfect fit for me, and I am so thankful that they took a chance on me because yes, they were 'warned' about hiring a 'problem employee'. I worked there for 8 years and then became a travel nurse in pediatric critical care.
Just wanted to send you a virtual hug and let you know that this doesnt have to mean that your nursing career is over. You just haven't found the right spot yet :)
You are not a failure. You raised two kids on your own while completing nursing school, that in of itself speaks to your ability. The unit or even acute care in general may not be your fit but you're probably naturally inclined and a real talent in a different field.
And FWIW, I don't think I could succeed on the floor even with my experience despite being successful in my area of nursing.
"Telling you if you don't take a tech job when you are an RN they will report you?
What's missing from this story?"
I agree Farawyn. There has got to be something missing. I've never heard of such. An RN being told you have to take a tech (what kind of a tech?? tele? med tech?) or sitter job or you'll be reported to the license commission!? I would not wait for any more offers from them if I didn't have to. I'd get out of there!!
They probably backtracked on their initial demand because HR warned them that they might be setting themselves up for a legal problem. Another vote for getting another job. Your days here are numbered. If you wanted to work as a tech or sitter, you could do so elsewhere, where your name is not tainted. Good luck.
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....
It had happened to the best of us...
The beauty about nursing is there are many avenues to take.
I was "not a good fit" at one hospital in critical care, I accepted other positions, used the experience and within 3 years from my initial first RN position in a hospital, I am a great fit at another-in another specialty-Emergency Nursing.
It's not the end of the world-take what you have learned and use it to build the foundation to your nursing practice-let your skills and knowledge to help transcend your nursing practice. It will help you become a better nurse.
I am very surprised the Board of Nursing in your state would give you any reassurances without knowing the particulars of your case. Not to scare you, but the hospital in which you are currently working for could have a list of mistakes they are keeping track of. These mistakes could constitute violations of the nurse practice act in your state. In my opinion, I would lay low and get into better standing with your hospital and then resign in good standing. That way you don't have to worry about the board of nursing, because trust me you don't want to go that route.
I just want to add another quick piece of advice....In some states (Virginia being one) it is a violation of the nurse practice act to leave an employer off of an application. It is also a violation to misrepresent why you were terminated. This violation will institute disciplinary action that may then become part of your permanent record. Not good. An application for a job is a legal document. It is best to write that you were terminated and then write "willing to discuss at interview" for reason. Just some thoughts....
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....
Agonizing and disheartening, most certainly. You ran across a nasty group.
Please re-read the comments. You will realize you did not fail, they did.
Best of luck in your new position.. that takes a special kind of nurse.
Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.
I don't think someone can be reported to the board for "not being a good fit". I'd ask for specifics on your performance and what they meant by that. Usually legit issues arise from specific instances of things. I'd start looking for another job if I were you. I wouldn't want to work for a place that threatened me.
Am I the only one who sees a silver lining because the DON wants to try the OP in a different department? The DON must see something good about you, and may see from his/her broader perspective that you will fit better in another unit. If you are offered a nursing job in another department, consider that a good thing. I hope all goes well tomorrow.
For what it's worth, in NY, you can't work as a tech with the RN license as it's considered working "below your scope". Once most places find out you have an RN license, they won't let you tech or sit. Sounds like someone spoke out of turn to you and now the CNO might be trying to fix it.
ontheway2crna
69 Posts
A lot of the things you mentioned sound like newbie "mistakes" I guess you could say... It takes time to learn how to properly delegate and I dont think it should be something mastered when you are not even off of orientation. If the pt was not harmed by being off of his suction in the time frame they were off of it, that should be taken as a learning experience and you should be able to move on from it. The trendelenberg thing is just stupid...I have also heard it has been disproven to be more effective for hypotension than simply lying flat. I think it sounds like some of the staff just don't like you for whatever reason and you should not take it to mean that you are a failure or incompetent. I went to nursing school in CT and I also remember hearing that you cannot legally work as an aide with a nursing license, so for them to offer that is weird. If you are still on orientation, I would apply to another nursing job and not mention your employment at this hospital and then when you are in your next orientation, you will be a lot better prepared and look awesome to that staff. I quit my first nursing job while I was on orientation because I felt like I was not fitting in and was being bullied by a few people. I got another job and did not experience the same things as before because it was just a different environment, different group of people. I also did not mention the other hospital when applying for the next job because I was still on orientation.