Can nurses collect unemployment?

[dsanto3]

Hello all,

I am a nurse who was working in a LTC facility in NJ for 11 months. This was my FIRST clinical nursing job. I was fired for not charting that I did not remove a lidoderm patch and the nurse who came on after me saved the patch and turned it in to the DON.

I have received a few write up's in my (almost) year at this facility. It was explained that it was to be expected for a new nurse to make errors and that I was being educated. I never endangered a patient, missed signatures in the MAR, forgetting to remove a patch, etc.

Will unemployment deny my claim considering it MISCONDUCT? I never willfully disregarded policies are intended any harm. I was never late, never called out sick and only used 2 personal days while I was working there

Any advice please?

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Thank you all so much for your replies. Can anyone suggest what an appropriate response would be when on an interview and asked why I am no longer employed by XYZ? I know honesty is the best policy, but I don't want to dig myself into a hole by an inappropriate response. Is there a way I can answer the question truthfully...yet not make them question my abilities as a nurse?

Thanks!

Own up to your mistakes, take responsibility, be able to verbalize what you've learned from the experience, and what you will do differently this time around.

[smartnurse1982]

That is really petty.

I used to just take the patches off and keep it moving.

its only a lidoderm patch for gosh sakes!