Was I a place holder?

[proud nurse, BSN, RN]

The last job I was hired for was only for 9 months anyway while the hospital converted to computerized charting. If they didn't hire me permanently, I'd be looking for a new job at the end of March. I was terminated in my 12th week of orientation. When I met with my manager, she led me to believe I would be coming off orientation but my 90 day probation would be extended. So when I was called to meet with her and HR, I wasn't too surprised. However, when I went to that meeting I was told they decided I wasn't a good fit and let me go. That was back in Oct.

Now here's the strange part. The same week I was terminated was the same week a nurse returned from maternity leave. Also, another night nurse left nights temporarily to become a trainer for computer system conversion. I think I was hired to be a place holder for these night nurses, one of which happened to be best buddies with my last preceptor. That preceptor threw me so far under the bus, and we did not like each other. She contradicted everything my other preceptor said. Made it sound like I was 2 completely different nurses. I'm thinking her friend's hours weren't guaranteed maybe?

So now we're almost in Feb. I start my new job soon. Needless to say, my spirit is crushed, my confidence is low, and I trust no one. This is my 2nd job since graduating. I didn't tell this job about my prior experience, I was too devastated. I'm feeling a little insecure and the last thing I want is for it to show.

[1983rn4me]

Where ever you go there will others who want to take advantage of you. Don't let others define you. Hold your high and keep moving forward. It is their loss.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Unless you were taking a full load I would not say you were a place holder.

However, every job is different and you do need to throw off the past experience so it doesn't drag you down in the next one. You learned tons in your 12 weeks that will really set you up to be much more successfull this time around, but you have to not psych your self out.

What is the new job?

[Born_2BRN]

My past experience teaches me smile although you don't want too. Trust no one! Believe no one! Take initiation for yourself! Do not relying on other to get the job done. It feels better knowing than knowing. Not many people are trustworthy. Everyone only interest on what will benefit them not yours. Learn how to walk before learn how to run. Good luck in your career path!

[proud nurse, BSN, RN]

Unless you were taking a full load I would not say you were a place holder.

However, every job is different and you do need to throw off the past experience so it doesn't drag you down in the next one. You learned tons in your 12 weeks that will really set you up to be much more successfull this time around, but you have to not psych your self out.

What is the new job?

I was in my resource week. Working independently taking on 4 patients only using the preceptor as a resource, truly was blindsided. And you're right, I am psyching myself out because I used to be confident.

The new job is on medical/oncology. I'm very excited but anxiety is pretty high.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Just remember how much more you know now than when you started the 1st job!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Well, if you learned some valuable lessons, the experience was not wasted.

Make sure you don't repeat the same mistakes. If you aren't 'getting along' with your preceptor, take appropriate actions to repair that relationship ASAP. Never go to war with people who have ultimate power over you - you will not win. Pick your battles wisely. If it's not a matter of personal integrity, violation of policy or contrary to your NPA - - that's not a hill to die on.

Make sure you are absolutely clear about all orientation expectations. Get copies of all the forms and paperwork that will be used to document your progress, including the criteria that is going to be used to determine whether you are 'satisfactory'. Keep your own records, including all the stuff you have 'checked off'. If you have to change or work with a different preceptor, you can produce evidence that you have 'passed' those items and don't necessarily have to be checked off again.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Unless you were taking a full load I would not say you were a place holder.

However, every job is different and you do need to throw off the past experience so it doesn't drag you down in the next one. You learned tons in your 12 weeks that will really set you up to be much more successfull this time around, but you have to not psych your self out.

What is the new job?

I agree with this. When a hospital needs a place holder for a short period of time, they seek out travelers or agency nurses that they don't have to provide benefits to or really train. My hospitals used travelers a lot for this purpose and they never got more than 2 shifts of orientation before they were expected to take a full patient load.

[nurse4sale]

Don't let that experience get you down, proud nurse, **** happens and it happens to the best of us. That episode will make you a stronger person and it will also teach you how ugly some people can be. I believe in Karma, I believe they will pay in some way and hopefully when they do get paid back, they'll remember you and how they treated you so unjust.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

So what if you were? Don't waste time thinking about it anymore. Water under the bridge. Moving forward now.

[proud nurse, BSN, RN]

Everything you all are saying makes so much sense. I'm 43 yrs old, and played the game before so I don't know why this has been so hard for me. Probably because I've never been fired before. Maybe because I grew so comfortable in my role as LPN and was taken out of my comfort zone as a new RN. I don't know.

My biggest mistake was never having formal feedback with my managers and that one preceptor. She would give me criticism/pointers throughout the shift, and when I told her I was looking for feedback, she said that was my feedback. None of my other 5 preceptor delivered my feedback in that format. It was a mismatch.

GrnTea, I want very badly to move forward. Thank you all for listening and helping.