On Friday, I was let go 8 weeks into my orientation for a new grad rn med/surg position. The nurse manager stated that I was not a good fit for the unit.
Background: I graduated December 2008. Took my NCLEX March 23, 2009 and started orientation on the 30th of March.
At my 6 week review (12 week orientation), I was told that I was on target with everything and that I was doing a very good job. The next day at lunch, I heard that a CNA that worked on the floor was not going to be hired on the unit as an RN because there were no open positions. This CNA had done her practicum on the floor and my preceptor had been her preceptor during this time. Everyone was commiserating with this CNA and I overheard one of the nurses state "Don't worry, you never know what may happen."
The very next day, everything I did was the wrong way. Long story short at the end of the week I was called into the nurse managers office and she stated that my preceptor did not think that my critical thinking skills were up to par and my time management was lacking and that I needed to develop a plan to address theses issues. End of the following week, I was called back in and told that i was not meeting the objectives and that i was not working out on the unit and that I was being terminated. I was told in the middle of the day, while I was taking care of patients- told to turn in everything- badge, parking, keys and told to leave.
I know this is a long post, but my question is this- should I include this position on my resume - because it is experience or should I leave it off completely?
Thanks for the input and for letting me vent my frustration, grief and disappointment.
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June 5th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
First of all, I would include that experience on my resume. Second, did something occur between the 6th and 8th week for your manager to tell you that you are doing well and then turn around and tell you that you are not up to par? Did you ask your manager or preceptor to explain the areas that you need to work on and how you can achieve success? It seems that they expect a new grad to come out of orientation and have everything together.Is this also a sign of how this floor runs? I once worked at a facility that I really enjoyed and made me who I am today. I was the one who stayed late to help out, was assigned multiple jobs and was paid the least. They knew that they could count on me. But the problems was they were always accusing me of not working enough or this or that but had nothing to back it up with. I decided it was time to move on and I did. I can’t tell you how many times I have been asked to come back. I don’t regret working there and I miss it at times but I think I’m in a better place.
I work on a very hard floor and I’ve seen alot of new grads come to our floor and I’ve also seen the issues that some of them have. Some I thought would never make it past orientation and wondered why they were still there. But, after a few months on the job and on their own, they began to pick up and learn organization, prioritizing, and critical thinking. It takes time and it can’t be rushed. I myself had problems with prioritizing and time management and it took me a while to get that down pat. I think you should talk with your manager and preceptor and discuss the issues that they saw and work on these areas for your next job. If you think that there may be underlying issues such as them giving you the boot for the CNA to come in, then I would possibly follow the chain of command. Don’t let them walk all over you because you are a new grad. Don’t feel down about the situation, use it as a learning source. Things happen for a reason and it may open a door for a better opportunity. You can’t expect to know everything and be a perfect nurse upon graduation. They say it usually takes a year to feel comfortable and that’s usually true. I wish you luck and keep me updated.
June 9th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Wow, 12 week orientation, what the heck is that? I was given 2 weeks and practically had to beg for more!
I think I’ve said this before, maybe in another post, but the best line I could quote had to come from the very first episode of SCRUBS. This brand new physician entering the hospital for the first time with all his education and training and supposed “know how”, he said on his first day on the job, “I don’t know jack!”
Same rule applies to nursing! You don’t know anything when you first start out as a nurse, even with all of the schooling. As CardiacRN suggests and what I also heard from my aunt who was an RN at the time of almost 39 years experience back then, it does take a year to get comfortable (really with any job, not just nursing!). Any job that you can rush into like a bull in a china shop means one of two things, 1) it’s really easy or 2) you and the job are very overrated! You see this happen in sports and the entertainment industry A LOT!
I agree again with CardiacRN, further investigation of this is needed. For one, if they did give this CNA the position you were training for and essentially were going to receive, that is against the law (which it’s pretty obvious they went from telling you how good you were doing to nothing you were doing was right, very fishy and I would want an answer). I can’t say I’ve ever seen an action of discrimination as it pertains to hiring someone for a job because in nursing you are supposedly just happy to have a new staff member.
But, as CardiacRN pointed out too, you really need to examine was there anything you did differently? I know myself that sometimes complacency would set in when I heard how well I was doing at something, particularly when performing a job. Whether intentionally or not, you start believing the praise and slack off because you think that you are doing what you need to be doing, all the while others are hoping you’ll show the ability to do more.
Definitely, if you’re so inclined, look into it more. I know that’s easier said than done when you’re young and trying to get started; don’t want to rock the boat or create waves right out of the gates, but you’re entitled to know what you’re doing wrong as well, that’s only fair. But a self-eval is also important in finding your own flaws that might have contributed.
Hope that helps…
June 11th, 2009 at 9:25 am
The big picture perhaps is this is a blessing in disguise. Perhaps you were released from a group of prople who are not in alignment with Christ and not of integrety.
June 11th, 2009 at 10:58 am
If that CNA took your position, I would take it up the chain of command. Because unless you possess documentation that they couseled you at least 2 times for poor performance, it certainly looks like preferential treatment. I would blow the whistle, but I would also look elsewhere, and take a position elsewhere. If you are in a right-to-work state, they can fire you for any reason (except discrimination). But, upper mgmt needs to know that your sup is out of line and lacks good judgement. Hopefully, your next position will be working with more mature and reasonable people.
June 11th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
I am sorry you had such a bad, confusing experience. Sounds like to me you were let go unfairly. I would try to distance myself for the situ and move forward and I WOULD NOT PUT THE POSITION ON MY RESUME. In my opinion you want to present yourself in an upbeat, positive light and not have to go into the fact you were let go unfairly. I really don’t think that works – especially it was all but a few weeks of your life.
Life is not fair and that is reality. Move on and don’t take it to heart because I am sure you have a brighter days ahead.
Good Luck and remember there are nuts in all professions and people who operate unfairly.
Regards,
DianeJ
June 12th, 2009 at 12:42 am
First of all, i will not talk about myself or my training. Your post was about you and you put forth some questions that will not be answered. Your time on this unit was short and sweet. You have the choice to trust or not trust your next preceptor. You will be hired again and this time document your progress by email to your fellow nurses and manager. You have the right to leave a job or to ask for a different preceptor. It is not for me to say if you are qualified. You passed the test, so you are qualifiedl. I worry about new nurses, find someone safe – do not and i mean do not tell anyone about your insecurities, they will be brought up to you at your lowest moment. It is a fact of life in nursing, and it is not fair. I am a nurse, i left my cape at home, you will meet a variety of great people in this career. Next time document, document, document. Good luck, and please do not leave the field. Give it a chance, brush yourself off, and go find as many hugs as you can.
BTW, this is common in travel nursing, i document, document, document. You still have your license and you must protect it even if in the future someone asks you to go against it. Trust me – it happens. Your license is your golden ticket, you are in charge. If something occured on your unit you don’t need to know if someone has your back if you – document. Read your license. Peace out – GenerationXer RN
June 15th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Very similar situation just happened to me…today!!!! I passed the NCLEX in January…A student, Magna Cum Laude, Honors, Sigma Theta Tau…blah, blah…started orientation in April. E-mail me. I’ll tell you how I am handling this. [email protected]
June 16th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
I wouldn’t put this expeirence on my resume. I would look for another job bc it something better may await for you. I however would follow the chain of command and let upper management know. That was totally unfair. However, if you blow the whistle, find a job in another facility bc you will be labeled as a trouble maker and bitter. Just looking at it from another point of view bc in the work place its always management against employee unless you have an amazing manager with morals.
I am sort of in the same situation you are in. I worked on a tele step down unit as a tech for a year. The boss expressed interest in hiring me numerous times upon passing boards. Once I passed boards, the boss found I wanted to shadow other units before making my decision. I then found out she was no longer interested bc she assumed I didn’t want to work for her. She then told the nurse recruiters of our hospital (level 1 trauma
center) to only put me on a med surg unit and not the unit of my choice. I guess her view is if I am not good enough to work for her then I am not good enough to go to the units of my choice.
I haven’t blown the whistle yet. But I plan to….
June 19th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
First off, you were just starting a new job. If they really cared about patients and how they are managed they would take more time to train new hires the way the should be trained. I would not put them on my resume. It doesn’t sound like it was your fault so just hold your head up and move on to a better work environment… Wish ya the best. I’m sure your a great nurse!!!
June 19th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Hello, All
I would to say the following to each one of us.
These boards are monitored by the state board of nursing, hospital administrators, Nurse instructors, Nurse manager, Nurse Supervisors and etc.
Please do not use your real name, state, employment, city, or any identification that will reveal who you are.
Do not speak actual facts and place them into a scenario. This cannot lead to you and no one can say you have violated any laws or confidentiality.
Lastly, you will not be cutting off your nose in spite of your face. You will not be black bolted and still be eligible for employment in your area.
In conclusion, I am being serious and the state and federal courts are allowing emails and internet messages/posting in the court room as evidence. CYA is very important. Therefore, I am sharing FYI for everyone and watch who you give information too …as well.
June 21st, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I had a job for 20 days as an L.P.N. the most complex hall, third shift, piles of work, i like to work, i love challenges, but this scene was insane. i quit cold after being written up every day for the 20 days. I had 5 days orientation. I am 53 and this is a brand new job for me. What I will never understand, where did all these evil women come from? Oh got a great job with swell nurses that mentor me. I never used that first job on my resume.