termination :(

allnurses Guide · Jan 18, 2020

First off, hugs, you've had a big disappointment.

Second, you didn't get fired, you were let go during orientation; big difference on your resume but not emotionally.

Yes, you can go back, she told you to! She likes you, just thinks you aren't ready for her unit. Very specifically told you there would be nothing negative in your file.

So, go get some experience somewhere else, different hospital, type of unit, long term care, hospice, whatever you find. After a year or so, if you don't like where you are, go back and reapply. She left the door wide open for you.

dlee50 · Jan 18, 2020

thank you, but she said that record will be "terminated" ?

JKL33 · Jan 18, 2020

3 minutes ago, dlee50 said:
once somebody got fired, they are not able to return to the same hospital, isn't it?

It may not be completely easy to get re-hired at a place from which you have been previously terminated, but what she was telling you is that she is not going to make a specific official recommendation to HR that you not be eligible for re-hire, which is a status HR would retain in your employee file. So the way she left it is that you could continue to work on gaining experience and skills and be eligible to be re-hired at some later time.

Still not a pleasant experience but it seems like she tried to be somewhat kind about it? Or at least not kick you while you're down, as they say.

How long had you been on orientation?

Take a little time to recover and then get back at it; make a new plan for success. ?

allnurses Guide · Jan 18, 2020

Nevertheless, on any interview, you can clarify that it was during orientation. Makes a difference. Not being ready for a unit is far different than some egregious bad thing that you did or didn't do.

dlee50 · Jan 18, 2020

3 weeks. I was in ICU.

allnurses Guide · Jan 18, 2020

ICU is tough for a new grad.

dlee50 · Jan 18, 2020

I haven't worked as a RN for 7 years and then I got hired ICU. My director also was aware of that. She was right,,I was not ready for the floor and I know I need to practice more. ?.

I was just confused how can I re-apply after being "terminated"

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Jan 18, 2020

So you haven't worked as an RN for 7 years and got hired into ICU and didn't make it through orientation. I'm not all that surprised. The fact that they took a chance on you and said they want you to reapply when your skills have been sharpened, is a very good thing. To me it means that personality-wise, you're a GREAT fit for the unit, they just don't have time time to bring your skills up to where they should be before you're turned loose on the unit.

I'd say to give it a whirl on a Med-Tele floor or something similar for a year or two and then reapply for a spot in the ICU, especially if the same director is there. You're not being listed as "ineligible for rehire" as that's an invite to never return. If you do get a position in the same hospital on a lower acuity floor, see if you can keep in contact with the ICU director. You could find yourself being invited to apply again.

I'm an ED RN, I'd probably initially make a less-than-stellar ICU RN as I got a bit o'Squirrel in me. ? That and I'm very much problem-oriented. Fix the immediate issue and move on. It would take time to retrain my brain back to M/S or M/T type thinking... In a way, I think you're in a better spot than I'm in this. If you start doing M/S or M/T, you'll get your brain into gear in a way that should make it easier for you to transition to an ICU.

It's not going to be easy. Lack of recent experience is going to be your nemesis. However, you might be able to use your ICU orientation (even though you were let-go) to an advantage. You (should) have gotten GREAT feedback as to what you need to work on and what your strengths are.

That's an incredible gift!

dlee50 · Jan 18, 2020

11 hours ago, akulahawkRN said:
So you haven't worked as an RN for 7 years and got hired into ICU and didn't make it through orientation. I'm not all that surprised. The fact that they took a chance on you and said they want you to reapply when your skills have been sharpened, is a very good thing. To me it means that personality-wise, you're a GREAT fit for the unit, they just don't have time time to bring your skills up to where they should be before you're turned loose on the unit.
I'd say to give it a whirl on a Med-Tele floor or something similar for a year or two and then reapply for a spot in the ICU, especially if the same director is there. You're not being listed as "ineligible for rehire" as that's an invite to never return. If you do get a position in the same hospital on a lower acuity floor, see if you can keep in contact with the ICU director. You could find yourself being invited to apply again.
I'm an ED RN, I'd probably initially make a less-than-stellar ICU RN as I got a bit o'Squirrel in me. ? That and I'm very much problem-oriented. Fix the immediate issue and move on. It would take time to retrain my brain back to M/S or M/T type thinking... In a way, I think you're in a better spot than I'm in this. If you start doing M/S or M/T, you'll get your brain into gear in a way that should make it easier for you to transition to an ICU.
It's not going to be easy. Lack of recent experience is going to be your nemesis. However, you might be able to use your ICU orientation (even though you were let-go) to an advantage. You (should) have gotten GREAT feedback as to what you need to work on and what your strengths are.
That's an incredible gift!

I agree. I am grateful that my director stills left door opened for me.

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2020

I would personally not go back. It was a poor decision for them to terminate you and tell you to get experience elsewhere and then reapply. This is just bad leadership.

You should have been transferred somewhere within the system to get your experience.

I would walk away and go somehwere that is willing to give the support needed to be successful.

They don't deserve to have you back.

cardsFNP · Jan 20, 2020

On 1/17/2020 at 10:41 PM, dlee50 said:
I was just confused how can I re-apply after being "terminated"

Like another comment said, regardless of career, whenever someone resigns or is let go, fired, terminated etc., the HR department and/or your boss, determine if you are "eligible for rehire," usually based on company policy or extenuating circumstances. For example, someone let go due to financial constraints will usually be eligible for rehire. It completely varies, case by case. Usually if someone is terminated, they are not eligible for rehire but that is not always the case. Based on what you were told, you would be considered eligible for rehire. This means you are allowed to apply at any point later on.