VENT.....this really sucks

Published

Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

Well, I thought I was doing ok. I thought the only thing I had to work on was time management, which would come with time right? I've been on the NICU less than 4 weeks and I was told this morning I wasn't a good fit. I'm a "very nice person" but my attention to detail isn't good enough right now and it is felt that with time my skills will be good enough...but not right now. Pretty much, I'm a nice person to talk to but I suck as a nurse. I hadn't been written up and as far as I knew from my preceptor I just needed to get used to working with little ones and my time management. My skills were fine. I've been out a few days with a stomach virus, so I get told this over the phone so I didn't have to come in on a off day. Which as of this morning is everyday.

I thought I was doing ok, I had gotten three arterial sticks, two IV starts (actually got one of those), and got to actually hold a feed two little ones last week. Now I find that I am not a good enough fit for them and honestly from my perspective this come out of the blue. No warning that I was doing that poorly. I know my preceptor had to repeat herself on certain things, but I think I'd eventually get it the more I did it.

I am supposed to take my boards next wed. Being told in a nutshell that your skills are lacking as a nurse, that your "really a sweet person" doesn't do much for my confidence.

I'm angry, hurt, humiliated, and wondering if I shouldn't just give up on being an RN since the first job I get doesn't think me much of a nurse anyway.

What I don't understand is why, if I had so many deficiencies, didn't they give me the chance to know about them and fix them?

I still want to work NICU, I actually enjoyed going to work...something that hasn't happened in a very long time. So what do I do now???? :bluecry1:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in pedi, pedi psych,dd, school ,home health.

I would ask the nurse manager to give you specifics about what you need to work on. Maybe another facility will give you more training or you could call your former school and ask for some tutoring and refreshing in that area. Sorry this happened ; but think of it as a learning experience. good luck on your boards!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow. First dont give up on taking your boards. Just because your unit says that you are not a good fit, does not mean that you are going to be a bad nurse.

I would ask your nurse manager why you were not a good fit. And ask for details. It sounds like your first four weeks were going pretty good. I'm sorry this happened. Good luck on boards.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

Maybe you could try an intermediate care nursery to help you develop those instincts that lead to "attention to detail" and then try NICU again. The learning curve in an ICU environment is so steep that even seasoned nurses have difficulty sometimes getting up to speed. It doesn't mean they won't get there with time, but attention to detail is something that HAS to be there early in the game. It could be the difference between happy endings and tragedies. You've worked too hard to get to this point to let it all slip away over something that can be repaired. Don't give up on your dream, just take a different route to making it come true.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

What I don't understand is why they couldn't give me specifics. My last day on the unit was Saturday and I did an admission, complete with blood draws and IV start. Did the care plan and everything, and this was my first complete admit. What details did I miss? What details did I miss that 12hrs with our other 2 babies? What details did I miss last week when I was in the CCN? I thought preceptors were supposed to communicate problems they have with you...WITH you. I asked her from the beginning that if I looked like I was doing bad to let me know. I wasn't even given the option of continuing on and working mainly in the CCN's. I really loved what I was learning and honestly thought I was actually doing well. Yes, my time management needed work but that would have gotten better with time. Safety is better than speed.

There is an opening in the NICU at Kosair's, but its an internal application so I don't know if I can even apply or am I relegated to applying for all external applicant positions.

What makes me so angry about this is the fact that there was no warning what so ever. The explaination given, that my attention to detail is lacking to me isn't good enough to let someone go during orientation....before you've even had all the classes to teach you what your supposed to be doing. I haven't even gotten STABLE yet. Just did NRP 2 weeks ago.

I don't think there are intermediate nurseries around here. Mother/Baby and NICU is all there is. It took me 6 months to get this job and less than a month for them to decided I wasn't good enough. Actually I wasn't even on the actual unit for a month. I started September 15th, had 2 weeks of hospital orientation and computer classes before I went to the unit. So IMO there has to be something else, not just my lacking attention to detail.

I'm not going to give up on working NICU. I'm going to take and pass boards next week and since there were kind enough to let me go after I completed my 120hrs, once I do pass I can go elsewhere if they can't find me something else within the hospital system I was working for.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

Just because this unit is "not a good fit" doesn't mean another unit might not be just perfect.

First things first: NCLEX. Then, request a conference. Go thru your work (as represented by your documentation) with the UM and any other person like educator or preceptor, and try to get them to show you what was wrong. "Please show me what I could have done better." Explain that you need to know what to work on as you move forward from this experience.

After that, put your applications in. I don't know what's available in your area; if you want to start in a level 2, fine; or you can try a different level 3.

It seems to me you genuinely want to do a good job. Don't let this episode put you off. Get what you can from it and move on.

Best of Luck to you!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Very good advice on this thread.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.
Just because this unit is "not a good fit" doesn't mean another unit might not be just perfect.

First things first: NCLEX. Then, request a conference. Go thru your work (as represented by your documentation) with the UM and any other person like educator or preceptor, and try to get them to show you what was wrong. "Please show me what I could have done better." Explain that you need to know what to work on as you move forward from this experience.

After that, put your applications in. I don't know what's available in your area; if you want to start in a level 2, fine; or you can try a different level 3.

It seems to me you genuinely want to do a good job. Don't let this episode put you off. Get what you can from it and move on.

Best of Luck to you!!

The sad part is that my benefits will now stop, just when I need them. Once your let go, your benefits are immediately cancelled.

Oh well, since I have an unexpected , extended time off. I'll do a bit more studying for my exam. I can't afford to screw up now.

I wonder though if I can actually get them to tell me exactly what it is that I have to work on. Attention to detail is awfully vague don't you think?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

That totally sucks! If you were having issues with skills or whatever, your preceptor should ahve told you from the very beginning! It's awful and frightening that they would do this to you and let you go along for 4 weeks and not tell you that there are any issues.

Don't give up on your dream!

But: Focus on your NCLEX right now. THEN, like everyone else was saying, ask for specific details. Do NOT let them give you vague details. Tell them that as a professional, you need to know exactly what was going on so that you can help your career. Do it nicely, but be very firm.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, adult med-tele.
I wonder though if I can actually get them to tell me exactly what it is that I have to work on. Attention to detail is awfully vague don't you think?

Yup I do the whole thing stinks to me. I would demand something, on paper. If your direct supervisor can't provide it I would go above her. I mean you can be professional and courteous about it, but still get your answers.

[i'm not going to give up on working NICU. I'm going to take and pass boards next week and since there were kind enough to let me go after I completed my 120hrs, once I do pass I can go elsewhere if they can't find me something else within the hospital system I was working for.

That's an excellent attitude. I am sure you will find much better opportunities elsewhere.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

I'm still confused how, at only 4 weeks into your NICU career you are let go for not being up to par.... were any of us up to par a month into our NICU experience?

Go into work, ask to speak to the manager that let you go, and find out what happened. You owe it to yourself. How can you improve without feedback?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I have a theory... when I was on orientation, I was told by my NM not to call out sick w/o a death certificate. Cute, huh? You mentioned you'd been out a few days w/ a stomach virus. Now, obviously it's absurd and draconian and WRONG, but I wonder if the NM of your unit has a similar philosophy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion