I was "let go" after 8 weeks of orientation of my position on the oncology med-surg unit b/c I "wasn't the right fit" and b/c I was "trying to be too good of a nurse," meaning that I was trying to provide holistic care to all my patients, despite being inundated with numerous tasks.
This supposedly led to "poor time management and prioritization."
However, I always got my tasks done. My orientation was not the greatest: I had 2 part-time preceptors and got less than 3 days on the floor per week b/c of their schedules (despite me being a 1.0 FTE).
Not to mention the fact that our philosophies on nursing didn't always meet up eye-to-eye. I was very honest with my manager and preceptors on several occasions, yet instead of trying to work with me, they let me go. Now, I am out of a job, with bills to pay, and am having a hard time finding a place that will take new grads (especially after the New Grad "rush").
I don't know what to do ...
I'm at a major cross-roads. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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October 3rd, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Wow. Best of luck with your search. Just because the ‘Grad Rush’ is over, doesn’t lessen your chances for finding employment.
The last time I checked there still was a nursing shortage.
Don’t let the man get you down.
October 4th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Ouch! That’s a rough one. I’m sorry to hear you’ve had a rough start. I’ve been a nurse for 18 years and I know that nurses have a reputation for “eating their young”. ** One of the great things about nursing is that there are a lot of different options. I realize you may not have all the time in the world to find a new job since there’s always bills to be paid, but if you can try and “shadow” a nurse wherever you hope to work. I imagine most managers would be up for this – following a staff member around for about 4 or 6 hours will give you some idea of what that unit is like. ** I applaud you for wanting to give holistic care, but sadly not every area of nursing gives you the freedom to all the things you’d like to do to take great care of your patients. I hope that you find something you love that still pays the bills and that you’ll stay with nursing for a long time. Best wishes.
October 7th, 2008 at 1:44 am
I tell you one thing, as a nurse, you can find a job anywhere! From hospitals to nursing homes, home health care, hospice, private care, travel nursing, you name it, it’s there. Good luck, and check your Sunday paper for lots of listings!
October 9th, 2008 at 2:16 am
I have been an RN for 2 years now. When training as a new grad during orientation at my hospital I was told by the nurse manager that I took too much time talking with and listening to patients. If my performance did not meet expectation by the next week she would have to let me go. After much concideration, I told her the next day that since the hospital had invested time and training in me could I transfer to another unit. She agreed and I have been happy since. I don’t know if it’s too late, but talk to your hospital nurse recruiter and see what can be done.
October 9th, 2008 at 3:18 am
It might sound brutal, but you need to remember that you work at THEIR hospital. You may not like it but the onus is on you to fit into their model and not the other way around. Don’t be surprised when your managers and co-workers decide not to adapt their practice and expectations to the model you prefer, because they won’t and it would be incredibly inappropriate to expect them to do so.
When your patient’s K is 3.1 the patient doesn’t need nutritional guidance, they need IV electrolyte repletion. Establishing priorities and triaging problems is a vitally important skill many new nurses lack and on a busy unit those skills are doubly important. For what its worth, you might think about checking into hospice nursing. The different focus nursing has in that area of care might be, temperamentally, a better fit.
October 9th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
I feel your pain, the exact same thing happened to me about 2 weeks ago, and I have been in shock ever since! I was in the ICU and the saying nurses eat their young is so unbelievably true! Keep your head up, and dont let this make you think any less of yourself. YOu are a great nurse, and you went into the profession for what sounds like all the right reasons! Just remember everything happens for a reason! Best of luck finding a new job!
October 9th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I was ALMOST there a while ago. Unfortunatly that is the way it is in some hospitals. Hospitals want to make money, and the more people that come in and out the more money they make. I had a really hard time learning not to talk to my patients alot. I still get the priority info, but common chit chat with the pt (this is when you can get more info because they are more relaxed) is not part of the hospital I work at. At first I thought that I could not give good care to my patients if I “did my job their way”, but I have learned that I can do everything and then go back to help them more once everything “vital” (according to the higher people) is finished. Sometimes I get behind, but then I just concentrate on my priorities and tune everything else out. I am really sorry about this situation of yours. Have you tried to talk to the boss over your boss and see if there is a better option for keeping you in the hospital? I know that there are jobs everywhere for nurses, but if you like that hospital don’t settle for that. ALL nurses EAT THIER YOUNG. There are very few that don’t and unfortunatly those are not the ones mgmt. looks at in a good light for some reason. Keep your head up and remember that you are a good nurse! You care and are there for your patients. I appreciate nurses like that. You could take care of me anytime.
October 10th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
These are all very good answers, but I must disagree with Stacie on one point: Most nurses do not eat their young. It depends on the culture of the hospital, and what type of behavior is tolerated.
I don’t know what part of the country you are in, but specific things that may help you in looking for a new role are:
1.look for a hospital that has a “New Grad Residency Program”–an extended orientation up to a year, that provides education and support for new grads. These are becoming a best practice in many places.
2. ask in the interview how many Preceptors a new grad usually works with, and is your schedule matched to theirs?
3. I don’t know if “nurses eating their young” was really a problem for you, or if those who replied to your message were guessing. If it was a problem, tell the Manager about your previous experience, and ask him/her how serious a problem it is at this hospital. If she is reluctant to talk about it, don’t go there. There is a name for this behavior–lateral violence. You might want to google this term and read up on it. There are specific responses you can make that will prevent you from being treated in this manner.
Good luck to you!
October 11th, 2008 at 1:43 am
I just thought I would share my experience when I was working as a new grad. What I had read in some of the comments was all pretty right on. I am not sure why nurses eat their young. It is definately a true statement. However, I have myself ran across this with quite a few different nurses. I was employed in a hospital for over three years working the night shift first, for 18 months. When I finally made it to the day shift there were alot of more “higher ups” constantly around as well as family members who came in to visit their family. I have come across “when it is that time of the month” woman get super hormonal and it isn’t as if they are going to come right out and say “it’s that time of the month for me, so excuse me if I am irritable” point being..is that, if you graduated from nursing and passed your boards..then obviously you are smart! Or you wouldn’t of gotten as far as you did. Don’t beat yourself up for losing your job. I ended up losing my job (although, it was a huge blow to my confidence) I realized that what this hospital was doing to me was basically putting my nursing license in jeopardy. There are alot of variables that went into the last 8 months of my employment. I was once a shining “star” and then found myself at the bottom of the “lions pit” because I was now questioning my charge nurse as well as, my nurse manager. I reflected always as to what my nursing school instructer mentioned in class. Which was, if you feel uncomfortable with it, ask a question or research it yourself. There is never a stupid question. If you decide not to ask the question then it can be you and your license that get into trouble. I have been a nurse now for a little over 5 years and am now no longer considered “green”…for me, there is always something new out there to learn..even if you have seen it numerous times. Also, my nursing school instructer mentioned “it is the ones who think they know everything that you ought to be afraid of” and I have seen this wise advice come to light over and over again…give yourself some time for reflection. when I was ‘let go’ of my job after three years I did alot of soul searching and discovered that not only am I a good nurse, I totally enjoy taking care of my patients it is just that with the way the hospitals are today..all about money…it had forced me into some unsafe practices at times. So, it wasn’t me, it was what I was given on the floor as a med-surg nurse. And why wouldn’t you want to cooperate when you are the “new nurse on the block”? right? Just kinda chalk it up to one of lifes experiences and use the experince to search in the help wanted adds…last time I looked in the “help wanted” section…Nurses were still HIGH in demand!!! Good luck!! Go for it! You can do it!!!!
October 13th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
First of all!!! Do not be so hard on yourself. If you did not get a thorough orientation..then you were set up to fail!! Being a new nurse is very difficult. As for the right fit….you may fit better in another place…that might not be the right place for you…Do not be discouraged!! You will find a job. Keep looking, the market is better for new nurses than a nurse like me who has twenty years of experience and has a Graduate degree, who still wants to work at the bedside…. Hang in there!!