New Nurse BULLIED/UNDERMINED/DRIVEN OUT

Hi, I am new to this forum. I am a 37 yr old mother of three who worked in the Ultrasound field for eons...before making the "smart" move to go back to school for nursing. I was in the hospital since I was 20, know the politics, made many friends and many enemies. I am an outspoken, honest,"say it like it is" person who believes in team work and NON backstabbing. I was recently terminated from a position as a staff nurse at a local hospital in M---- County Pennsylvania. I was in this program that would supposedly take me from med-surg all the way up to ICU/CCU. That's what I wanted. Ever since I had started at this institution I have encountered nothing but negative feedback. I am a new nurse, six month's into the GAME. I have been pulled into the nursing office about three times,confronted by two nurse managers that they feel I was just not getting it. That was the first meeting, when I was there on the floor as a new nurse for only 6 days. Then second meeting they told me that I wasn't filling out my I/O sheets (O.K) that "other nurses" were complaining that I was unaproachable, defensive, unfocused, and that patients were complaining too. I said, O.K, can you give me some examples so I know what to work on. They said that they didn't have it ALL written down but there were numerous complaints. I also supposedly talked about alot of the nurses to other nurses. ( At this point I am thinking am I in high school?) So I left that meeting solum and beaten....vowing to not say a peep to anyone. I have three children here to feed and a marriage on the rocks. But unfortunately I have a personality that loves to laugh, talk, help others, and really want to make a difference in patients and my coworkers lives. So that didn't last. I was told I was on probation again....after 5 months on the floor and that I was not ready to be trained on the telemetry floor. ( My background is Cardiology...Echo, holter scanning, etc.) The very next week they ( nursing office) decide to pull me to the telemetry floor, by myself, no preceptor or co-assign for 12 hrs. (Humph!) They( nursing office) call me about 3pm and ask me to stay to 7pm, there on telemtry. I opened my big 'ol mouth and said "Isn't it funny how I am not ready to be trained in telemtry but you can put me here for twelve hours." I stayed. The next week they pull me to the Oncology floor, which is a hospice floor also. I did a two week rotation there in December. I recieved 5 patients....One was dying...and did die on me, a psych patient with medical issues, a drug seeker, a normal medical case, and last but certainly not the least, a OPT coming in for blood that spoke only Russian. Well, my day was hell, so one of the other nurses "started" the ball rolling as far as my patient that had to recieve blood. She did the assessment and "got them ready for me". I was left with the IV stick and getting the blood. I did this all after sticking this poor woman three times because of rolly veins and I proceeded with it when the clerk told me the blood was ready. Appartently there were med's to give prior to the blood that I did not know about. I assumed (how wrong I was) the other nurse would have let me know this. She wrote the nursing progress notes on the patient and it was a mistake I will never make again. Anyhow, this woman's vein infiltrated, I took it out, iced it, then went to pull a seasoned nurse to restick here again. When the first unit of blood was done, I took her vitals and let the oncoming nurse that she had to get lasix folling the unit and after the second unit. This fact was told to me. Patients vitals all within normal parameters, I finished all the rest of my paperwork, and lastly checked if the oncoming nurse needed anything before I left. She said no. Off the next day, then went to work the day after, pulled in the office and was shown an order that stated Tylenol 650mg P.O, Benadryl 25mg, P.O, and Hydrocortosone (don't know the amount...blurry now) and that these meds were never given, now this patient was admitted with reactions and she is in CHF. I looked at the order and it had no time or when to give (premedicate or only PRN)So I am at fault but there were more than one pair of hands in this pot along with a badly written order. I was terminated. I was told that I didn't follow through. Then they said that I didn't even sign the progress note and that's when I told them that I did not write that. They said"oh...." I never receieved any written warnings nor had to sign for anything and I feel that I did not practice at 100% but it was a floor out of my realm. I hope all that reads this do not think that I think I am infallable. I am not. I just feel that this hospital had no intention of keeping me and were waiting to see me fall. I am a "6 month old nurse" in desperate need of a job and I need good references. I was going to stay at this one place until I hit my year mark. It does not look right when you go from place to place. I need some guidance here, if any body would be so kind. Thank you. Bindy Last edit by NRSKarenRN on May 21, '05 : Reason: privacy protection
Well, it just sounds like a lousy situation. I think the hospital's expectations were a little unrealistic, but at the same time, part of this profession is just staying on top of everything - you can't "assume" anything.Does the facility have a procedure they need to follow to dismiss someone - ie 3 documneted incidents, etc? Did they follow this? Was this a wrongful dismissal, and do you have a legal avenue you can persue?I think that for future employment, you need to look for a facility that offers a really comprehensive orientation program. Try not to bite off more than you can chew. You could be honest with prospective employers, or I have heard of nurses not putting negative work experiences on their resumes, if it was for just a short period of time. I realize that you are a new grad. Can you use your instructors as references? I definitely wouldn't trust a single person at that hospital.Hang in there! There are so many opportunities in nursing, and you'll find the right fit.
I do not know if this facility has a formal proceedure to follow as far as writing up employees. But I do know from other institutions, there were always certain protocals followed and papers to sign before anyone was shown the door. FYI, this never happened to me before and I usually am disgustingly honest with myself...so I am not embarassed to say I was canned, because I know it was a losing battle. I don't even want the job back, nor did I want to stay there. I just have monetary responsabilities and I guess I am still niave to think everything in life should be fair. .Does the facility have a procedure they need to follow to dismiss someone - ie 3 documneted incidents, etc? Did they follow this? Was this a wrongful dismissal, and do you have a legal avenue you can persue?I think that for future employment, you need to look for a facility that offers a really comprehensive orientation program. Try not to bite off more than you can chew. You could be honest with prospective employers, or I have heard of nurses not putting negative work experiences on their resumes, if it was for just a short period of time. I realize that you are a new grad. Can you use your instructors as references? I definitely wouldn't trust a single person at that hospital.Hang in there! There are so many opportunities in nursing, and you'll find the right fit.[/QUOTE]
Perhaps you should RE-read my letter. I had no issues with doctors and had made several friends at the establishment. No, it's never 100% all someone elses attitude, like I tell my children, you don't have to like everyone but you still must be cordial and honest. I also admit to my mistake but I see much more going on there that is detrimental to patient care and never anything done about it. I did not come on this board to be whipped but asked for honest opinions and suggestions. Thank you.
Quote from BindyI do not know if this facility has a formal proceedure to follow as far as writing up employees. But I do know from other institutions, there were always certain protocals followed and papers to sign before anyone was shown the door. FYI, this never happened to me before and I usually am disgustingly honest with myself...so I am not embarassed to say I was canned, because I know it was a losing battle. I don't even want the job back, nor did I want to stay there. I just have monetary responsabilities and I guess I am still niave to think everything in life should be fair.
Quote from markjrnIf you don't want your job back, then it's time to move on. Do a little soul searching and figure out what you want to do, and then start making some calls. It's important to assess what happened in this situation and learn whatever you can from it.
I'm sorry you were fired. Tough lesson first job out of school.Its fairly well known in nursing that all it takes to get fired in nursing is one manager pizzed off at you....sounds like you got on the bad side of several. Major mistake.Sorry to come off so blunt, but you seem to have gone into neophyte nursing waaay too overly confident, with a chip, and are worrying about your inadequacies way too late. Feedback should have been sought from the getgo with all preceptors, with opportunities to improve. We must seek constructive criticism when we're new; all new grads need it. Perhaps you were coming off with such a chip nobody wanted to bother to help you? Only you know.I'm sorry this happened to you, but its also not reality to blame everything on the environment, particularly when it is coming from more than one source.Good luck to you. Perhaps you can use your instructors as references as the above poster suggests, and start over somewhere else. I advise you to search long and deep and identify what YOUR role was in this situation so you don't repeat the same negative pattern. Maybe sit down with a trusted advisor/instructor and ask...really ASK... and accept constructive criticism.That said, one of the reasons I recommend new grads start out in a teaching hospital with a dedicated new grad education/internship dept to mentor them is that some hospitals out there just don't have what it takes to support new grads. This may have been one of those kind of places; if so...I'm sorry. I've watched new grads chewed up and spit out by places without new grad programs. A trusted instructor can likely tell you if this is the case with this facility and can possibly steer you to a better experience.Once you're calm and have honestly resolved in your mind what happened, practice explaining what happened in this job in a nonblaming way, showing you have learned. Remember anger at the facility and managers is not likely to help you get that next position. Good luck.
Quote from BindyYour absolutely right. I had thought for several hours today and would like to work pool or per diem at an establishment so I can taste what it is like to work at a particular place. The only downfall is medical benefits. I need to supply this to my family. Is there agency work for a fairly new RN?
Quote from mattsmom81I'm sorry you were fired. Tough lesson first job out of school.Its fairly well known in nursing that all it takes to get fired in nursing is one manager pizzed off at you....sounds like you got on the bad side of several. Major mistake.Sorry to come off so blunt, but you seem to have gone into neophyte nursing waaay too overly confident, with a chip, and are worrying about your inadequacies way too late. Feedback should have been sought from the getgo with all preceptors, with opportunities to improve. We must seek constructive criticism when we're new; all new grads need it. Perhaps you were coming off with such a chip nobody wanted to bother to help you? Only you know.I'm sorry this happened to you, but its also not reality to blame everything on the environment, particularly when it is coming from more than one source.Good luck to you. Perhaps you can use your instructors as references as the above poster suggests, and start over somewhere else. I advise you to search long and deep and identify what YOUR role was in this situation so you don't repeat the same negative pattern. Maybe sit down with a trusted advisor/instructor and ask...really ASK... and accept constructive criticism.That said, one of the reasons I recommend new grads start out in a teaching hospital with a dedicated new grad education/internship dept to mentor them is that some hospitals out there just don't have what it takes to support new grads. This may have been one of those kind of places; if so...I'm sorry. I've watched new grads chewed up and spit out by places without new grad programs. A trusted instructor can likely tell you if this is the case with this facility and can possibly steer you to a better experience.Once you're calm and have honestly resolved in your mind what happened, practice explaining what happened in this job in a nonblaming way, showing you have learned. Remember anger at the facility and managers is not likely to help you get that next position. Good luck.
Quote from markjrnYou know, I really don't think that would be your best route. You are a new grad, and working per diem requires security in skills, a broad knowledge base, and you need to be able to hit any floor running. I travel nursed for 8 years, and you generally require experience for any nursing angency.I think you would be wise to consider a new grad orientation/apprenticeship program. Just my
Quote from BindyThanks for your honest input and to the thread that followed about pool or per diem work. There are job opportunities out there I just have to find the right fit. I am lucky to know many nurse/friends working in staff positions in my neighborhood that can direct me better than I can direct myself. Thank you to all that lent an ear. That helped tremendously and will be doing alot of thinking this weekend.
[QUOTE=pfitz1079]Seems to me like there's a whole lotta problems with a whole lotta other people. *********************This is a teamwork business. It relies on everyone doing their part.*********************From your diatribe*********************definition = thunderous verbal attackI didn't see anything of the sort. Perhaps you misused the word?*********************it would seem that nearly every staff nurse, nurse manager, doctor and patient at that job were out to get you.*********************That's strange. What I saw was a new nurse trying to get it right and not being familiar with all the pitfalls that are associated with this business.*********************Plus the strife of family life and marriage on the rocks.**********************People have problems. Work is not a box that we enter in our shift and then forget about everything else that happens outside of or for that matter INSIDE the box.**********************Any chance it might not be the whole rest of the world?**********************Any chance you might be in denial about your own situation?**********************No, of course not. Everyone's just has it in for you.***********************Yes that's it. Blame the victim.***********************Grow up, own your mistakes, learn from them, get another job.***********************I'm all for owning mistakes. I don't think the grow up part was appropriate. That's just another chance to victimize someone and remain in denial about the bullying and victimizing that goes on with REGULARITY in nursing. From the content of your post I would probably be close in guessing that you yourself have engaged in victimizing other nurses. Or shall we just call it aggressive peer judgement. That's a nice euphemisim for that kind of behavior.***********************
Dear Bindy,I was in the same situation (well not exactly the same -- I quit), but I think I was bullied also from my first job.You know, it's really sounds strange to me how seasoned nurses (some) on this board trying to teach you here "you are in profession that requires this and that...", "you have to suck it in...".... you know, i am not 20 y.o. and have been in many professions and worked many jobs (in different countries). And it is all about people, that is it. No matter what you do, if you are new at it, you need help, end either other help you or they back stab you.When i was nursing student, i worked in well known hospital in my area as a pca for almost a year. I have never had problem neither with my co-workers nor with my supervisor (on THIS floor).After I've got my RN, i was accepted on another floor (med-surg) as new graduate nurse . I knew that floor had badreputation (understaffed, bad management), but I always was hardworking, and wasn't scared. I am like you, very honest and direct. I liked my preceptor (very quite girl, when she spoke, she almost whispered, and I , in opposite have loud voice.) The first bell sounded when I had the first evaluation with nursing supervisor after about 2 weeks of orientation. She said that "i was giving hard time" to my preceptor, that i speak too loud, walk too fast, and how other nurses on the floor "perceive" me. Well, obviosly they didn't preceive me well. OK, i was kind of surprised, because nobody told me anything so far in my face, i said that maybe it's just first impression, and i think that with time we will know each other better and friction dissappears OK, the other 4 weeks past. I had the same preceptor. I've thought everything was going OK with my preceptor (of course, when you work side by side 3 12s, there is always some friction, but nothing major (at least she didn't raised any issues). One day i had really bad experience with MD: he prescribed the drug, the primary MD DC'd it and first one got pissed... well, anyways, i was there and primary wasn't and he screamed at me. I was defensive, but eventually situation resolved. It is not 1st time i was dealing with angry MD (i was lpn for 1 year prior that). The next day i was called to nursing supervisor for evaluation (my preceptor was there). I was told that i was "argumentative" with MD, i talk too loud, i sit wrong way , i stand wrong way, i should be carefull what i say, and they have "happy family" on the floor, and i "disturb" the happiness, and overall I have stinking personality. I was so overwhelmed, that i cried. Just couldn't help it. Didn't expect the blow.Anyways, after giving the situation some consideration, i started to look for another job. Found it in a week. More money, sign-on bonus. When I called nursing supervisor to say that i quit, she sounded surprised, she said she 've thought "i was over it" and "moved on". I guess, i wasn't over it.So, my point is: if you feel that you are not treated well, don't try to blame youself (unless you persistenly had the same problems in other jobs). There are hospitals where there are wiser supervisors, who don't bring up staff like that (although, there are always people who will badmouth you behind your back, i guess). I beleive you are a good nurse, you just started in a wrong place, that's it.