Terminated During Probationary Period

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Hi Nurse Beth,

I really got terminated during the probationary period with 4 months of OR nursing experience (both scrubbing and circulating). My preceptor hated me and gave me a bad evaluation. Can I list my working experience with new job application? I heard OR nursing is very high in demand and most places would hire one without much interview process. Is this true?

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Dear Got Termed,

I’m sorry to hear that. It’s a devastating experience to get fired, and more so when it’s unfair. Situations are not always black and white, but mixed, and so do take some time to consider the performance aspects of your bad evaluation that may have a shred of truth in them.

It could be that your preceptor both “hated you” and also used some areas for improvement against you. I just want to set you up to have a successful experience next time, friend.

Your job application will most likely instruct you to list previous work experience. If so, you should list it and then plan how you will speak to a short tenure when asked.

It’s best to be brief and segue positively to the future “It wasn’t a good fit and I look forward to using my skills in an organization that better matches my values”. Avoid saying anything negative about the preceptor or organization.

Experienced OR nurses are in high demand, yes, more so in some areas than others. A hiring manager may well see 4 months of training as a benefit, especially if you make a good impression during your interview.

It’s not necessarily a good thing to be hired “without much interview process” because a good employer will want to select the best applicants to join the team- and you want to work for a good employer.

Don’t be afraid of the interview, or feel “less-than”. You have marketable skills, and you may thrive in your next position. Let’s hope you do!

Warmly,

Nurse Beth

[beachlover]

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[beachlover]

I too was terminated during probation on a Telemetry unit. My preceptor wanted me to do things that were completely unsafe and against regulations and I questioned her on these issues.(i.e., she gave meds to my pt but never clicked off on it and wanted me to, 2 hours late; she gave insulin to my pt being transferred to another unit without my knowledge or without them getting their meal and wanted me to give report saying I gave the insulin; asking me to leave a pts room while I was in the middle of drawing up a med so she could show me how to discharge a pt- just in case that came up today..... weird!) I never once lost my cool or said anything rude to her, just asked her how I should go about these things for future reference. Then I was terminated for "being disrespectful". There was no discussion or write up. I had worked as a nursing asst while in school for the same hospital for 3 1/2 years with No issues/writeups. So this, of course, goes on my resume. In this day of online applications, what do I write as my "reason for leaving" this job? I do know that I am eligible for rehire if anyone calls the hospital. I hate saying "I was let go, but am eligible for rehire". Since then I have been working as a Nursing Supervisor/unit nurse at a rehab/LTC center. But for future applications, can you advise me on any better way of explaining it online? Thanks!

[Macedonia9]

Hi do you guys have a resume review service?

Thanks..