SweenyG

I've been told that if they do a background check, they can determine where you worked by your SS#.

I did not say anything to HR. I guess I was scared silent. Also, I felt if they would never really trust me. I am working in home card, but would very much like to do acute care. Having a hard time getting another hospital job.

Three weeks before I started my first nursing job, I had a retinal detachment and emergency surgery in my left eye. I had to get special permission from the surgeon to start, as part of the requirements of the job was lifting 50 lbs, but since the first two weeks were orientation, I was allowed. But, even in recovery, I had a "ripple" in my eyesight, which was hardly noticeable in regular sight, but really made it difficult to pass an eye chart exam. Over the next few months, I developed a cataract, which is expected after the procedure. However, in my case, due to preexisting "severe" myopia, it happened more quickly than usual. It made it more difficult for me to see unless right up close to something and contributed to my appearing unsure or having problems reading instruments or setting up IVs or tube fittings. I didn't want to say anything, because I was already an older new grad. I was let go after a 10 week orientation-- and really feel the eye issues contributed to my perceived inability to improve (that and they never told me where I had to improve). I had cataract surgery a few weeks later, and now see better out of that eye than the right.

I applied for a job with them and felt the same way, but did end up doing the site visit-- they are legit. I think they need all this stuff because of the nature of the job. I untimately did not get the job, as I am a fairly new nurse, but it seemed like a good opportunity that paid very well.

It wasn't done as much in the 1980s when I first graduated, but I did decorate the hell out of it for my BSN last year. I have also been to four college graduations of my sons where the kids decorated their mortar boards. IMHO--graduations are joyous celebrations and should include a little silliness and humor just expresses that so well!

Thanks for all your input and a lively discussion!

Thanks!

Has anyone personally or known someone who went to NP school after the age of 55?

I'm picturing some guy putting his head in a bra...tee hee

The hospital I used to work at posted a video on FB with the headline "Our nurses sing to patients!" showing two nurses with guitars singing for an elderly patient and his wife in his room. Now, I know it's a nice thing to do. I take care of elderly patients and sing to and with them informally while performing ADLs, but my first reaction was that it made it seem like nurses performing and entertain was part of their job. The way it was presented--it just rubbed me the wrong way--like they were saying choose our hospital and be serenaded.

Esme- Your words of wisdom helped me--prayers to you for healing!

Good for you Newboy--now you can sleep better...

Is your employer paying for this education in anyway--this makes it their business. Also, I know a lot of ADNs think doing papers for the BSN is just busy work, but doing the research, etc. is part of the learning process and helps you learn critical thinking and other important skills. This speaks a lot to her character. I do sympathize with you--she has put you in a difficult spot, as she has power over your career. Good luck!

The total was five weeks extension. What you say makes sense--my beef is that I feel they could have been clearer on what I needed to work on and make sure that I knew that, rather than assume that I was being told. I think a lot of it had to do with others' perceptions that I look frazzled or confused when in fact I am dealing with it well and just concentrating. That is something I need to work on. I KNOW I was improving, because I know how it felt --but obviously they can only go on observations.

I am sending them a letter, not with any excuses, but with the feedback that to help other nurses in the future, they might want to make certain that everyone is on the same page as to the nurse's progress and formalize the expectations and timeline that progress should be made.

It's been a little over 2 weeks since I posted about being fired at the end of my orientation. I have a new resume and new job search. I also have three interviews this week, none for acute hospital care, but I am more open to these than before. However, the emotional anguish has been long lasting. I still can't talk about it w/o tearing up. To compound this, I ran out of my antidepressant at the same time as the firing and can't get a refill until nearly three weeks later (The reason is complicated.) My sleep has been severely affected. One night I had a severe anxiety attack, and the only thing keeping me from going to the ED was the fear that I would be hospitalized and it would kill my chances to be hired in that hospital system. Despite my fears, my husband has actually not been bad--not actively supportive--but not abusive, but somewhat passive aggressive--ie, doing laundry, but leaving most of mine undone and not telling me. The main reason I'm writing is that any of the healing I was doing was ripped open when I received a copy of the "Disciplinary" notice I received and signed the day I was fired. On that day, I was so overwhelmed, I could hardly read it, and could not bring myself to make a comment. So, when I got it in the mail--a full 2 weeks later--I really read it and got very angry. They wrote that despite "counseling" and 5 weeks' extension on my orientation, I did not improve my performance. This is so untrue! Basically,when my initial orientation was up and would be extended and was vaguely told there were "concerns." The nurse educator said, "and these have been discussed with you." Ah, no they hadn't--this was the first time I heard this. We discussed that it probably had to do with organization and time management. We did come up with a remedy, which I followed up on. I did much better with time management over the next few weeks and this was noted by my preceptors. After that, when I was told they were extending my orientation, NEVER were any reasons or "concerns" cited, only assuring looks and "we want you to succeed." When I asked about losing my job I was assured that I was far from that bar. Even when I had the final two week extension, I was told not to be concerned, that they just wanted to make sure I succeeded. Did I make mistakes and need improvement--sure--but looking back, I feel they could have done more to specify what "concerns" were. I feel that they should have told me if I don't do XYZ by this date, yes, I will be let go--perhaps in the form of a meeting with the nurse manager, educator, and preceptors. Maybe something written--yes, it would have upset me--but not nearly as much as being fired. Did I just hear what I wanted? Maybe, but I am not an idiot. I am still seeking a counselor--which I think will be helpful in many ways, including how I present myself and/or are perceived by others--which I think could have contributed to my dismissal.

It would probably happen more often if amniotomy wasn't as common.

I went back to school 30 years later and my school accepted all my credits up to a certain number. I did have to take statistics, but did not have to retake Psych 101, which I had taken so many years ago.

Whoniverse--Thanks for all your advice. I was told by my employer that my strengths are my bedside manner with patients and families and that they were complimenting me. I guess they just gave up on trying to teach me the other stuff. And, I honestly feel I was doing better, I know I felt more competent! I made some missteps in front of preceptors--before the pt was involved--and they corrected me and apparently noted it--most times before I had a chance to correct it myself. I know that I do checks and would have corrected my errors before going to pt., or was getting ready to ask a question (ie, is this the right size syringe for this med?). I know the preceptors can't read minds, but even when I explained myself, it obviously didn't matter. Now, I understand they have to look out for pt safety and were concerned, but, I learn from my mistakes and once pointed out to me, I remember. I spent yesterday talking to a favorite professor who helped me see how I present myself can influence how others perceive me and how I can deal with the negativity at home. I also went to career services at my college and revamped my resume and got more advice on how to deal with interview questions relating to my experience. I told my husband last nite and it wasn't too awful. He didn't talk to me this am while getting ready for work, but that really isn't new. I am waiting for some fallout to come out sideways, but after talking to my prof., have learned more to deal with it in a manner that doesn't feed my insecurities or his desire to control or shame me. I am printing out resumes, filling out applications, and networking. I also called the home health company I worked for previously (and they love me), and they have a long term job coming up that I can have--just name the hours. This isn't something that I make a lot of money at, but it's something and shows my family i am keeping on. I still feel awful about this and it's a physical sensation...I know this will go away with time, but for right now, it sucks! Thanks everyone for your support and stories!

Esme, Trinitymaster and others: Thanks for the info on Kindred an LTAC, but unfortunately there are no such facilities in my area. However, it could be an option in the future if I can ever relocate,

I do worry mostly if it turns into a custody fight, but right now, my son and I do have a good relationship.

Yes! That is what I tried to tell them. At times, one of the preceptors (two were in their 20s), said to me, "I've explained that to you a few times." And I told her I learned best by doing....

He has tried to get ME to leave several times, but 1) I won't leave my son and 2) I can't afford it. I also feel if I leave, then divorce, I will be at disadvantage with custody and property issues. I told him that I'm not going anywhere unless he buys me out. He told me all I care about is money. My son is a generally sweet , sensitive boy who does very well in school and we get along well when together alone. But at dinner times, but he also will make jokes about something I said, then high five his dad.

Exactly! I actually brought this up to the manager. I said "I've improved so much, I know I will get there with a little more time. You have already invested so much in me." She said I had not improved in the areas they had cited and they felt they had extended my orientation as long as they could. Actually, we hardly ever discussed those areas except in vague terms and not at all the last time my orientation was extended.

Thanks everyone for all the support and hugs! It really helps to know I'm not alone. I did call the career center at my college this afternoon and made an appointment to get my resume in order--something I should have done on my original job search. I still can't make myself tell my husband. I got my car stuck in the driveway tonight and it took us 20 minutes to get it out. He was angry about that. He didn't say it, but I could only think, "This is one more thing I suck at!" I appreciate the kind words--I thought I was a smart person--I have another BS from 1981. I went to nursing school part time for three straight years (through summers) and was inducted into the nursing honor society. But, I know that graduating and passing NCLEX is only the very beginning. I just thought I would have more time to get up to speed. But, I feel I can't fault the hospital, they were really very nice, I just wish I had better feedback and they had let me out on my own sooner--I feel they were watching me almost too much (sigh). The Nurse manager mentioned that she had gotten compliments on me from the patients and families when she did her rounds. Anyway, I really, really hear you and it does help.