"failed orientation" without warning? hmmmm

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 9, 2009

I am very sorry this has happened to you. However, it sounds to me as if you are simply going to have to learn from this experience and move on. Talk with the Human Resources Department to arrange to see a copy of your file and your Union Representative to ask any questions the pertain to them. Find out about arranging to continue your health insurance coverage if need be and other such matters. Find out what information they will give out should a future prospective employer call to verify your employment, ask for a reference, etc. In other words, take care of all the "business" issues that need to be taken care of. Take a couple of days to cry and be miserable. Then pick yourself up and start hunting for a new job -- any job if necessary to keep a paycheck coming in. Keep moving forward.

As you look back on this, you may begin to realize that the termination was not "without warning." Several statements in your post stand out as red flags to me. I suspect that your employers feel they gave you plenty of warning, but that you did not pick up on their efforts to warn you and help you.

For example: You say, "once they learned I would learn better with 1 preceptor." That suggests to me that you were struggling at the beginning of your orientation with the standard number of preceptors and that they made an effort to accommodate your special learning needs. You also say they gave you "one more month of orientation," suggesting that once again you had some special or extra learning needs that were not fulfilled by the standard orientation plans. Your manager told you that you were having problems with time management and not seeing the big picture. She even asked if you wanted to orient to another position. That suggests that she DID give you feedback that things were not going well and was hoping to find a different position for you -- as things were not working out well in the position your currently had.

I suspect that "their side of the story" is that you struggled since the beginning ... they provided you with extra support and tried to meet your special learning needs ... told you what the main issues were ... suggested that perhaps you should seek another positon ... and only fired you after they had done all of those things.

I don't write this to hurt you in any way -- but rather to help you see the situation from their point of view. That greater understanding might help you succeed at your next job. You can recover from this as have many others in the past. It's just going to be harder than usual now because of the economy. I wish you the best of luck in your efforts.

elprup, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2009

Thank you for your thoughts and help. It helps alot.

Maybe I did not see the red flags for what they were, and confused when I was asked to orientate to another dept where there is usually only one RN on shift unless there's more than one active labor pt - which I was really not ready for. So, I am sure there were several factors attributing to this - and some I am not even aware of at the moment. Thanks for helping me see the bigger picture.

Ya know, I never really enjoyed med surg during my clincals...this was definitely a learning experience.

Take care,

grangevillewife · Apr 28, 2011

i too am feeling like a failure, worked one job for 8 years. and then i cant seem to hold another in nursing homes, want to transfer to hosptial. will try again and put my application on line again. i only put in last couuple of jobs not all the way back to 1987 when started as CNA. Took much time off to raise my son and be at home for hubby. so i have so much gaps . is there hope dont feel like it at moment. any suggestions im in nampa idaho at [email protected]

Harrychandler · Apr 28, 2011

I think med surg is the hardest field of nursing to work in. Too many patients, too many discharges and admissions. Too high paced. But what do I know I work as private duty peds nurse where I am likely to die of extreme bordom:)

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2011

I do agree with the first poster- it appears that there were some warning signs, extra time was given, etc. I am very sorry you had to go through this, especially with a family. Unfortunately, hospitals are about money in the end, and your floor needed a nurse who was ready to take an assignment independently.

Maybe your preceptor recognized that you were having trouble managing five patients and wanted to direct you toward a position that would allow you to focus on a fewer number of patients. When you pursue a new job, maybe that's something to keep in mind. Positions like a doctor's office, home health, PACU, OR, etc, that have a lower nurse to patient ratio might better suit your skills at this time. Since you mentioned you have kids, a doctor's office or ambulatory surgery center might give you hours that more closely match their school schedules.

1. when one is on orientation/probation, can one get fired without warning? We are union also, is this the way things are done? Of course I will call them later today, just curious if I have a valid question to bring to them.

One can be fired at any time during employment. Most jobs are "at will" meaning you can leave and can be let go at any time. Even unions don't prevent hospitals from firing employees.

2. shouldn't I get a detailed list of what I did wrong and why they are firing me? so I can learn from this instead of just feeling like a failure?

You don't usually get a list of reasons why you were fired- being verbally told is enough for most people. However, you can ask for a list, or better yet, ask for things you can improve for your next job.

3. can I look at my employee file? Do I have to ask and set up a time, or just walk in and ask to see it?

You should be able to look at any time, but it's more polite to set up a time through HR.

4. So, I moved my kids out of our hometown for this job.....and now here we are unemployed in a tiny town. Any ideas to get me started in a positive direction.

Start applying at other facilities, dr. offices, schools, home health, etc. Be prepared to explain why your other job didn't work out and what you have done to improve (if you want a reference). You might also want to leave the old job off your resume entirely. It's not uncommon for new grads to go several months before working.

Also, file for unemployment. You never know how long you will be out of work.

5. I have to go clean out my work locker....that otta be real big fun seeing everybody.

Sorry. Try to go at a busy time of day when the most employees are out of the locker room.

6. Oh, So I did a total of 3 night shifts in a row....got the call the following day to see the manager. Saw lots of new hires, exp nurses on the floor the past few days. I think they did not want to "teach" me anymore. Stated "if I haven't learned it by now I will not be able to learn it anytime soon". Real self esteem downer.

Sounds like those three night shifts were your last chance and the management decided you were not right for the position. Orienting new employees is expensive, and I'm sure financial concerns played a part.

This is a downer, but it can also be a learning experience and a new opportunity. If this job wasn't for you, it's good that you got out now, rather than struggling or getting burnt out for the next few months. `I'm sure what you learned there the past few months has helped develop your skills for your next job, so it's not a total loss

Good luck,

Ashley

caryrey02 · Apr 28, 2011

so very sorry to hear your story. I am also a new grad about to go off orientation next week, I can imagine what you feel but something out there will be right for you. Please let us know when the situation gets better for you ;-) craiglist post a lot of home health positions, you might want to look into that. Best of luck!!

And Keep you head up please, you are a licensed health care provider and this is just a matter of time !!

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Apr 28, 2011

i "failed my orientation".
questions:
1. when one is on orientation/probation, can one get fired without warning? we are union also, is this the way things are done? of course i will call them later today, just curious if i have a valid question to bring to them.

generally speaking, union contracts provide for a probationary period that is clearly stated, and the time frame is typically about 3 months worth of full time hours. at any time in this probationary period, either side may choose to end the employment without cause. it works for the employer in the case of employees who are not suited to the particular area and who are struggling with getting up to speed. it works for the employee who may not like the work, the hours, the unit's management style, the commute, because they miss their old job... actually for any reason.

2. shouldn't i get a detailed list of what i did wrong and why they are firing me? so i can learn from this instead of just feeling like a failure?

if the unit has a checklist of expectations to be met by orientees, then yes, you should be given a copy of it. but in my experience, only critical care areas have these, and not even many of those do. orientations should include regularly scheduled evaluations with the manager and specific examples of problem areas should be provided. and the information provided in these evaluations should not come as a surprise to the person being evaluated; issues should be discussed and corrected as they arise. but this isn't a perfect world. from your description, i would say, as did llg, that you were given concrete examples of areas of concern.

3. can i look at my employee file? do i have to ask and set up a time, or just walk in and ask to see it?

most hr departments prefer that an appointment be made for viewing one's personnel file. you are entitled to see your file, and they are entitled to make rules about when and how.

this experience doesn't have to ruin your life. max lerner said, "the turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt." there's a good message there. you will survive this and you will succeed... just not on this unit. best wishes to you.

treatmeright · Apr 28, 2011

sounds to me the hospital failed , orientation.

just ignore them and move on, you wouldnt want to work there.