I’m looking to get advice from nurses this may have happened to because I’m feeling especially blue at the time being. OK, so little backstory - I graduated in December ‘19 with my ADN and got hired at my areas bigger hospital for a new grad position in the mother/baby unit. I was also offered a peds position as well as on oncology. However, I took the MBU because my passion is to be in LDR one day.
The first week went well, it consisted of class time and learning the hospital. The second week consisted of a class and two shifts in which I was placed with a preceptor. This is the where my first bad incident took place - I didn’t make it to the 6:45 huddle because my badge wouldn’t let me in through the employee door by the employee parking lot so I had to walk around the building to get in.
I made it in by 6:55 before report was given on our patients but that was considered late (which at the time they were sympathetic, but later used it against me.) I spent the two days learning my preceptors routine, figuring how to do the charting, and going solo on the steps she had taught me to do on the mommies and newborn babies. This preceptor was awesome and I appreciated how she was patient with me and helped me find my own way while teaching me.
That was about the extent of my “good” experience because the following week, I made the rather unfortunate mistake of oversleeping for a required class. I text a classmate to let her know of my plunder and that I was on the way. The text I received in return stated that they had decided to shorten the class and that the teacher claimed it wouldn’t be an issue for me to reschedule if I so chose to do. I agreed and went about my day until it was time for me to come in to shadow my charge nurse at 4:30.
That’s when I received the call from my clinical coordinator wondering why I wasn’t at the class and why hadn’t I told them about it. My exact words to her was that at the cost of sounding ignorant, I simply wasn’t aware that it was necessary to inform them and that I was told I could reschedule the class within a few weeks. I was told not to come in for the shadow and to expect a call from the clinical coordinator as well as my manager the following day. I get that dreaded call and they proceed to tell me that I cannot come to work till after they speak with HR because 1. I was late the first day, 2. I didn’t let them know I missed the class, 3. I “lied” by telling them I was told I could reschedule the class because it wasn’t the teacher who told me that but rather a fellow friend/co-worker.
It took them a week to get back to me, they ended up telling me I wasn’t a good “fit” for them, and they cut up my badge in front of me. Now, I am well beyond aware of my mishaps and what I should have done differently - I should’ve set aside time to make sure I could get in and out of the building before my scheduled shift, I should’ve set 5 alarms if that was what it would’ve take to ensure I didn’t oversleep, and I should’ve contacted my employer rather than my co-worker about the blunder. I am taking these unfortunate happenings and 100% learning from them so as to be the best nurse I can.
That being said, it’s been a week and I’m terrified I’m blacklisted from this hospital since I have been applying for other positions and have yet to hear anything. Should I wait it out? I was offered interviews at another hospital, however it’s an hour away so I’m hesitant to accept. Do I have to list this on future resumes? I don’t feel as if I got to truly “nurse” and I’m discouraged my skills will atrophy if I don’t use them. I’m also concerned that that was the only time I will ever get to experience my “dream job” as this manager is over both the MBU as well as LDR. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
11 hours ago, HeartbrokenBabyNurse said:
That’s your presumptive opinion, only time will tell though ?
I wouldn’t say you’re never getting hired there, but we are talking years down the road so prepare yourself for that. I say that because IF they wanted to keep you around (aka wanted to make their investment in you work) then they could have and would have found or suggested another department within the hospital system to transfer to, but they didn’t. Look through many past threads where someone wasn’t a fit with a unit but the hospital still kept them and transferred them to another unit. You made such an impression that they decided to cut their financial loses immediately rather than pursuing an alternative option like this. So again take it from the many of us with much more experience than you - don’t expect to be hired at this organization again for some years to come.
^^this is the best advice posted in this whole thread.
It’s the same people over and over. I did not create a negative rapport with anyone. I did not speak to a professional co-worker/higher-up in a negative, condescending, or obnoxious manner. I was professional and polite in all aspects with the exception on what is written on this post. I have no idea why the lady cut up my badge, I was not rude when they fired me, I simply asked if I was allowed to record the termination or if I could have a witness present and they told me I could have someone on the phone but not record and asked if I was deemed ineligible for rehire. I explained to her how deeply sorry I was for what I had done, how embarrassed I was, and that I hoped I could take the experience as a learning tool to be the best I could.
Now. Again. I am NOT required to speak to STRANGERS on the internet in any sort of manner. I feel as if I have been pretty nice compared to how defensive the real world is. Not many people like to sit back and take false accusations from anyone. It’s just getting to the point of ridiculous. I asked for advice. This is beyond the point of advice. When does it stop?
Now. Again. I am NOT required to speak to STRANGERS on the internet in any sort of manner. I feel as if I have been pretty nice compared to how defensive the real world is. Not many people like to sit back and take false accusations from anyone. It’s just getting to the point of ridiculous. I asked for advice. This is beyond the point of advice. When does it stop?
And no one is required to answer in any particular manner or tone to you. On a forum like this, not everyone is going to wrap it up pretty and put a bow on it.
Again, as someone who has been an ICU manager, DoN in a LTC facility, and currently a dialysis clinic manager: to have gotten terminated at 3 weeks in, you did something, whether you choose to acknowledge that fact or not. In 25 or so years, I have only terminated 2 people. They were employed longer than 3 weeks, more like many years. At 3 weeks, unless there was something just so unacceptable or unforgivable, any manager is going to try to salvage a new employee, even if it means transfer to another dept. The hiring process is too time consuming and expensive to just toss out. It's cheaper to counsel and train.
At that, there is either something's you're leaving out or something that you're just not seeing, try self reflection. Many on here have politely tried to steer you that way. Your answer is to state that everyone not giving an answer that you wish to hear are mean or in that line of thought.
That's the way it works on a forum. I've been thrashed if few times here. I choose just to withdraw and not paying any more attention to a thread that has gone awry.
I don't know why you would want to record a termination. You were obviously a probationary employee, which even if you are under a stringent Union contract, you have absolutely no protection. In fact that request makes you look like a litigious troublemaker actually.
If what people are saying here is troubling you, you are perfectly free to not visit this thread anymore. Walk away and carry on. You're under no obligation to keep engaging like this.
Just out of curiosity, why did you want to record it? And I think most posters on here have agreed that cutting the badge was extreme.
My family gave me the advice to do so, I come from a long line of medical professionals. They felt it was in my best interest considering the circumstances I was being terminated instead of reprimanded or placed in another unit.
In 25 or so years, I have only terminated 2 people. They were employed longer than 3 weeks, more like many years. At 3 weeks, unless there was something just so unacceptable or unforgivable, any manager is going to try to salvage a new employee, even if it means transfer to another dept. The hiring process is too time consuming and expensive to just tossout. It's cheaper to counsel and train.
I wish you could’ve been a fly on the all for me then. I don’t know what else to say but that I wasn’t unprofessional with my attitude ?
Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
59 minutes ago, HeartbrokenBabyNurse said:
My family gave me the advice to do so, I come from a long line of medical professionals. They felt it was in my best interest considering the circumstances I was being terminated instead of reprimanded or placed in another unit.
I wouldn’t completely listen to your family in the future. As another poster mentioned, this did nothing to positively increase the view of you and possibly negatively impacted things even more. I hope you humbly self reflect and consider the possibility that your attitude, even non intentionally, came across negatively during your short stent there. People on this forum aren’t saying that repeatedly just to make a random stranger feel bad, we are saying that from personal experiences and hard lessons learned.
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
OK. Take a breath. Now you've had two unpleasant experiences: losing your job and having strangers on the internet try to tell you why they think you lost your job. For what it's worth, I don't think too many people here have responded maliciously.
This whole thing really hinged on your post "Emergent, who hurt you?" You say that was a joke that went awry. Maybe. It struck me as a knee-jerk attempt to strike at someone whose feedback you didn't like. I've seen that tactic many times here, typically by newbies who are bewildered that their lives aren't going as planned.
Being a nurse does change the way you are in the world. Previous coping styles will no longer work for you. You have tune in to behaviours that no longer serve you. Reiterating that you want to learn from your mistakes will only get you so far; it's really just verbage until you actually identify and correct old patterns.
They didn't cut up your ID badge because of two tardies. It was over-the-top unprofessional behaviour on their part and I'm wondering what pushed their buttons that bad. I suspect asking for your termination to be witnessed and recorded was the last straw. There was no benefit to you in requesting this; your family, however well-meaning, gave you bad advice.
I don't agree with the advice to steer clear of LTC. In fact I take umbrage at the notion that it's beneath anyone or that your skills will rot. LTC nursing is an art in itself. It requires a broad range of talents and its patients are no less deserving of exemplary care. And the skills really are transferable. Right now, you might have a problem getting your foot in another door; take whatever job is offered so you can start building your career. You'll be glad you did.
Why do we keep bothering to weigh in? Because we're going to need nurses ourselves one day. You will probably be fantastic once you get your feet under you. It would be a shame to see a solid career scuppered for want of a slight attitude adjustment.
Play your cards right and one day you'll be in our shoes. And I really do mean that to be more of a blessing than a curse.
- Picard style.
CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN
840 Posts
^^this is the best advice posted in this whole thread.