@Dances with Wool
I'll address a few things:
ACLS and PALS are probably 2 day classes anywhere, but that's still 2/3 of a week where I'm not expected to do anything outside my restrictions.
My hospital is particular about the meds. I might be allowed to give meds I was able to give on the floor, but from talking with current workers on that floor, it's generally not done. New orientees just watch for a couple of weeks. They get the med education about drips and differences in floor med uses vs critical care uses, then at the 2 week point they take a med test to ensure they've grasped the education, and then they're allowed to start giving meds. It was the same way when I started on the floor; technically I was only restricted (by hospital policy) in giving IV medicines. In reality, my preceptors did not allow me to give any meds at all until I passed the basic med exam.
I asked in the interview about the code stuff because I've never even seen a code on my med-surg floor (lucky me!). They basically told me that until I have ACLS under my belt, I will not be participating in a code. Even after that, they'd prefer I be there observing but let the experienced nurses handle the codes until I get a familiarity with them, and then get into helping with the codes as I felt comfortable. They have a code team and a rapid response team, and they're very good. They're not understaffed the way that my med-surg floor constantly is, and the manager is very supportive of her staff.
I am familiar with what orienting is like. I did a lot of research before ever applying for the critical care position, especially regarding orientation. It's a huge part of having a successful move to a new floor, especially one at a higher acuity level. That's why I know that the first half of the orientation contains a lot of classroom education. It just so happens that ACLS and PALS were being taught toward the beginning of my orientation.. That would've been fortuitous had I been allowed to start. With all of that in mind, I didn't think it would be perfect, but I did think I could be accommodated without too much trouble. And I've already said I understand fully why the CC NM didn't want to take the risk with that. It turns out she was right not to.
I don't like the replies accusing me of lying to manipulate others and cheat my workplace, because they aren't true. Even in your post, you accuse me of embellishing. Embellishment is defined as, "making (a statement or story) more interesting or entertaining by adding extra details, especially ones that are not true." I'm not adding details that aren't true. I'm clarifying. I have reasons for the thoughts I've expressed here, and I'm giving them. Helpful is, "I know you're trying to do x but it's coming across as y for z reasons", not "You're lying about things and making excuses and your employer is right to fire you".
I was given the opportunity to do desk work and then took it upon myself not to show up one day because I was told I could pick whatever schedule I wanted. It was a situation where I could've done better, and I have acknowledged that. It is not a situation where I blatantly skipped work as a no-call no-show when I had been told to be there, which is what so many here are making it out to be.
I'm not concerned about the critical care manager rescinding the job offer. Even if that were to happen, I have numerous contacts throughout the hospital and could find a department to join once I'm healed, and I'm confident I could once again get on the path to becoming a critical care nurse. I am concerned that I'm now on administration's cost-cutting radar because injuries cost a hospital money and mine is being slow to heal, and like others said, there is a possibility that I could be reinjured more easily.
I don't think anyone is out to get me, but I also don't think everyone believes what I'm saying, and if that's the case, it's fine. I don't believe everything I read on the internet. I took the insinuations and accusations with a grain of salt at first. I've seen what you guys do to people who get emotional and upset when they get bad responses to their threads. Truthfully though, I don't need people in my thread accusing me of manipulating my workplace to get out of things or into things or whatever. It's not helpful. If users really believe I'm not being honest, the interaction is probably not going to be beneficial for either of us.
As said above, I did not think I'd have 6 weeks of lighter duty. I thought I'd have at least two, maybe three, and potentially even four, and there was a good chance they could be grouped. It's not so far-fetched if you read what I've written about the orientation for a new critical care nurse. In fact, I got the idea when I read a post online about a nurse who managed to do exactly what I tried to do.
I'm absolutely going to contact the CC NM and talk with her about the plan going forward. I think it'll be a salvage-able situation, and I'm pretty sure she'll accept my apology and understand.