Successful Orientees Vs Unsuccessful Orientees

amoLucia · Feb 20, 2016

Schmoozability.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2016

Personality can absolutely determine your success. Not implying that this was the reason you were terminated, but personality is important.

Are you able to be objective about your performance? Do you see yourself the way others might? I've worked with people who lack insight into their work habits, and this is another factor.

Do you take initiative? Are you open to feedback? This will determine your success as well.

And sometimes, the culture/ unit is not a good fit. You will eventually find your way.

TriciaJ, RN · Feb 20, 2016

One thing that's obvious: you already have insight and are receptive to feedback. That gives you lots of potential. You could be absolutely right about everything you mentioned.

The Golden Boy might just be a great schmoozer and manipulator. I've seen it more than once. Comparing you to him is very poor form unless they can provide you with specific examples that you can use.

Having a consistent preceptor is usually a lot better than getting passed around. The type of nursing done on that floor just might not suit your temperament and you will find a much better fit elsewhere.

Critical thinking is easier learned than taught. What that means is you have to be self-directed in developing your own skills. Ask questions any time you're not sure; beef up on theory on your own time; write things down that you need to remember. Develop a worksheet that works for you and make copies of it. Rely on it to help you stay current with your patients' needs, organize and prioritize your care and use as a running to-do list.

Not doing well on a particular unit may turn out to be a dodged bullet. Take whatever you have learned and move on. Your post is well-written and thought out. I think you have the makings of a competent nurse that many people would want for a coworker. Hang in there and good luck.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2016

Factors such as personality, overall fit, and ability to learn/adapt are important. What I'm about to say next might ruffle some feathers...

New nurses who are extremely idealistic and ethical to a fault are sometimes singled out and let go at the end of their probationary periods. In the real world of nursing, realism is preferred over idealism. Thus, a new nurse who simply sucks it up and takes 5 telemetry patients without a tech will be admired over a new nurse who whines about 'patient endangerment' all night. Realism prevails. Idealism wails.

A new nurse was being interviewed by a panel at my former workplace. The panel consisted of the administrator, director of nursing, and staff development coordinator. Once the new grad started mentioning ethical issues, all three panel members secretly made the decision to not hire. The sentiment was along the lines of "we do not need another Nancy Nurse."

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 20, 2016

I think personality and overall fit makes a difference, as well as ability to learn/adapt.

I wasn't a "fit" for PICU, however, I ended up being a "fit" for a Pedi ER.

It also plays in part developmentally career-wise, along with the facility; I felt MORE support at this position than I was in my PICU position; both units have high turnover, but I'm thriving, partially because I feel more supported (and this was without a staff educator-I have one now, but didn't when I first started out and educational opportunities were presented during orientation v. a new grad residency and small classes here and there; the classes I needed were AFTER orientation clearance, not during in the PICU) which can included suggested reading, and a lot of self-study on my part to understand the specialty that I'm working in; I tried to get suggestions during my PICU orientation for self-study and it was more of "sink or swim", and "not necessary"; I felt how I learn was not always respected, and they were trying to fit me into their system their way and if I didn't fit, then there was someone else, meaning, their system of "fitting" people was more at creating an image instead of helping cultivate talent and expertise first, then image; at this position I feel my personality, how I learn and who I am is respected, and the desire is to cultivate expertise, and I "fit" into the culture more appropriately.

Hollybobs · Feb 20, 2016

I think all the factors you and the other posters have listed come into play and depending on the job, some will apply more than others, it's pretty impossible for you, from the outside, to tell which applied in your case. You could drive yourself bonkers trying to second-guess why you didn't pass orientation, it could have been something or nothing.

One way to improve your performance as an orientee is to look at what others are doing right and if there is anything you want to do differently next time. Maybe get feedback from those with opinions that you value. I found when I started teaching new nurses I realised how to be a better orientee in my next job.

I learnt that personality was a huge factor but if you aren't blessed with tons of charisma and 'schmoozeability' (!!) then hard work and competence were a good way to win good-will. And I suffered from too much idealism when i first started, I had to balance that out with the practical challenges of the role. I found other staff responded much better to me then. But that's me.

You come across very well in your post and you might not need to change anything but I would focus on constructive reflection rather than worrying that others are "better" in some unidentifiable way. You may have done nothing wrong whatsoever.

I am waffling but to summarise: Chalk it up to fit, check there isn't anything you'd do differently next time, put it behind you and enjoy the next steps in your nursing career :).

TriciaJ, RN · Feb 20, 2016

I think all the factors you and the other posters have listed come into play and depending on the job, some will apply more than others, it's pretty impossible for you, from the outside, to tell which applied in your case. You could drive yourself bonkers trying to second-guess why you didn't pass orientation, it could have been something or nothing.
One way to improve your performance as an orientee is to look at what others are doing right and if there is anything you want to do differently next time. Maybe get feedback from those with opinions that you value. I found when I started teaching new nurses I realised how to be a better orientee in my next job.
I learnt that personality was a huge factor but if you aren't blessed with tons of charisma and 'schmoozeability' (!!) then hard work and competence were a good way to win good-will. And I suffered from too much idealism when i first started, I had to balance that out with the practical challenges of the role. I found other staff responded much better to me then. But that's me.
You come across very well in your post and you might not need to change anything but I would focus on constructive reflection rather than worrying that others are "better" in some unidentifiable way. You may have done nothing wrong whatsoever.
I am waffling but to summarise: Chalk it up to fit, check there isn't anything you'd do differently next time, put it behind you and enjoy the next steps in your nursing career :).

Yup. What she said.

nutella, MSN, RN · Feb 20, 2016

I remember you writing about it some while ago.

It is definitely about being the right "fit", personality, how you come across, and ability as well.

And as commuter pointed out - they do not like complainers or nurses who make "things difficult" or "discover problems".

You can do everything right, have a great attitude but if you are not the right personality for that team you will probably still fail.

Of course it is hurtful to be compared to another person who was apparently well liked and successful while you got booted out.

I think it will be important to move on for you and to realize that this was just not a good fit. Avoid talking about it in your next job (just a suggestion) and do not mention it in your interview.

The way healthcare is going in the hospital, they want nurses who can pull their weight, do not cause any trouble, and are in general likable. Find a different job and try to overcome your anxiety of failing.

Libby1987 · Feb 20, 2016

I heard an analogy recently and wonder how it may apply to you..

Going through orientation is like a wheel rolling down a path littered with the skills and knowledge needed to perform the job. Everyone has a different amount of skills that stick as the wheel rolls through. For some, the wheel can move quickly and pick up everything, for others it may need to slow down, maybe pause, in order to pick up everything. And finally for some, even with slowing down, pausing and possibly backing up, not enough sticks particularly in comparison to those who reset the new speed and thoroughness bar.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2016

I wanted to comment on the multiple preceptors. While not always ideal, multiple preceptors are very common.

Some people learn effectively with varied approaches, others do not. A preceptor can make or break your experience. Either way, you'll need to adapt to your preceptor. When you're finished orientation, you can do things your way.

It's much easier to just go with the flow. I've had wonderful preceptors and a few that I didn't care for. However, I smiled, kept my mouth shut and adapted to their way of working. My goal was moving forward, rather than creating conflicts with people that I felt might hold me back.

It's just not worth the headache to be "right" sometimes.

dishes, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2016

@purplegal do you have a copy of your performance appraisal and any other documentation that led to your termination? If not, you should ask human resources for a copy, it may give you more insight into how your performance did not meet standards, you seem to have only heard that your performance did not meet that of another new hire's, but it is unlikely that a comparison such as this is written on your employment record.