vent after a job termination

[rlr260]

I'm new to the forum, so bear with me on this long-winded post. I need to confide in my peers and maybe get some feedback.

I took a hospice (RN) nurse job 6 weeks ago after having worked in the hospital for 5 years. I was on a hem/onc unit and burned out on the pace. I have a total of 28 years experience in nursing, with stints on cardiac step-down, pulmonary, home health, and HMO/IPA, so I'm not a new nurse.

The company I worked for is a small one and only about 4 years old, and it seemed like a lot of policies were not written down for a new employee to reference. My orientation consisted of riding with another RN for a week to see what the RN does, and then a week with the LPN on my team to meet the patients I would work with. The home visits were pretty routine, with assessments, medication review, etc. The patients on my team were pretty stable, and more like long-term care patients than actively dying hospice patients, but that was OK since I had had home health experience. I think I worked well with the patients and with other staff as a new employee.

My problem was with the paperwork and charting, verbal orders, knowing what I could do with autonomy in the field versus calling to the office for my supervisor to handle.I was never clearly instructed in a lot of issues. It was more like I would get an explanation and correction after I had already made a mistake. I thought the mistakes I made were in the vein of a new employee learning the ropes, and these would resolve as I became more proficient in the position.

Friday, the supervisor called me in to the office after I had seen my patients. She referred to the fact that I was in the 90 day probationary period, said I was not working out, and let me go. I was stunned. I did not see this coming at all. When I asked for details of why I didn't fit in, she just referenced the probationary policy again, and said to turn in my badge, bag, and supplies.She would not give me any specifics. I have to go back Monday to turn in charting.

I interviewed with this woman, and I thought we got along OK, but when I started working, I got a cold vibe from her, like she just didn't like me. I found her intimidating, but I thought it was because of my new employee status, and her position in a stressful job. Let me say, I'm a grown-up, and I realize that I will work with people I will never be friends with, but I thought we had a good professional relationship.

I'm hurt and angry at how this all panned out, but I don't think I have any recourse in this situation, since I was in the probationary period, and my state is an employeement at-will state. I am not in a union. Anyway, I don't want to work where I'm not wanted. I guess I will just chalk this up to experience, and go on with life.

My more immediate problem is that there aren't that many jobs out there. I was looking for a job 2 months ago, before I got the hospice job, and this was the only job I was offered. The hospitals in my area are all pretty much 100% staffed, except for very specific positions that I am not qualified for. I did get 2 hospital interviews that didn't lead to a job. The hospice/home health agencies either did not call me for an interview, or didn't call back after an interview.

I guess I'm writing to vent more than anything else, but if anyone has any suggestions for where to go next, I would really appreciate it.

[David13, MSN, RN]

I am so sorry to read your description regarding the manner of your termination. In my opinion, if you were doing something incorrectly, you should at least have been given an explanation and an opportunity to then do it correctly.

This does not sound like a professionally managed organization. As much as it might hurt now, in the long run I think you will be better off not working in this type of atmosphere.

[WittleOnesRN]

I am so terribly sorry!!! This is awful. Can you maybe work with an registry in the mean time? Or maybe a travel position?

[Di Deanna]

I'm sorry for what happened. RIDICULOUS if you ask me.

Don't fret. If it comes down to it...take a travel job. You can choose your location and the length of your assignments. I know this may not be ideal...but

it's something. *hugs*

[caliotter3]

Sorry to hear this has happened to you. Maybe you will have to go out of your comfort zone to find a job. Try broadening your geographic circle when you start looking. Hope you are successful.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

It is obvious that your supervisor just wanted to get rid of an employee. Perhaps they needed to downsize and of course, as the newest employee you would be the first to go.

By firing you they may save themselves the unemployment.

If they had legitimate complaints against you then they should have discussed them with you and discussed ways for you to change whatever you were doing wrong.

This whole affair was simply bogus.

It is always painful to learn that you are not wanted/needed in a unit, but it has happened to all of us. Sometimes more than once.

You should have been allowed to resign, but at least it was within the 90 days so technically you can always say that it turned out to be a bad fit, and not the type of work that you felt you wanted to do (I'm not wording that very well I know)

How about doing some agency/per diem, or travel for a bit. I like Cross Country travel a lot.

Be greatful that you are not working for that unprofessional whack job.

[Midwest4me]

I, too, am so sorry that this happened to you.:icon_hug:(hugs to you) You were wronged in my opinion...and if you ask me, since you were there only 6 weeks, I would not include it on my job application(for the travel job everyone is suggesting). If you do include this job, file for unemployment (in my state you are able to file for unemployment if fired, NOT if you quit a job) so at least you have some income in the interim.

[afranklin]

I feel so bad for you. But, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and, start over:)

You'll look back on this and smile; I promise! This, from someone who's been

through it, too, but life does go on:)