Hurting

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I have recently refreshed as a nurse; took me a whole long year of hard work; ton's of reading and exams and a short clinical, not enough for me. worked recently in a sub acute area. got fired yesterday. I'm devastated.

Told I don't focus, can't take in new info, made several errors (including medication), and yes I understand the seriousness of it, but am looking for hope. I am very very down from this, as I am not young (40ish), have not worked a lot in nursing, but really thought I could make a go of this.

Now, my hopes and dreams have been dashed. I know I have had problems with focusing, organization, etc. But there must be hope and somewhere that I can fit into my niche. inspirational comments appreciated.

I am so down ...

Specializes in mental health, military nursing.

I'm sorry to hear this :crying2:

Don't give up on yourself as a nurse... if you know that focusing is a weak point for you, have you thought about seeking help? Sometimes counseling or a low-dose anti-depressant or anti-anxiety med can give you the oomph that you need to pay better attention.

In the mean time, think of other ways you can use your nursing skills to rebuild your nursing reputation. Perhaps volunteering in the community? Immunization drives and such are low-stress environments that can help you hone your skills.

Or perhaps now is a good time to go to school? There are many classes offered on organizational skills and time management, some in as little as two or three sessions.

For tonight, pick up a pint of Ben and Jerry's, curl up with a cheesy movie, and feel the pain... but tomorrow, jump out of bed ready to acknowledge whatever truth there was in your termination, and then brainstorm ways to get back on top again..! We're always here to help with the brainstorming part ;)

Specializes in Peds Homecare.

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." Dale Carnegie

Keep trying, I know you can do it!

Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.

Co-sign what's already been said.

It is hard to get back into nursing again, especially when there are speed bumps and roadblocks in your way. I returned to nursing after being out for a number of years and had a tough time at first, too. I've also had a good share of speed bumps and, a couple of times, I thought that maybe I'd made a mistake to get back into nursing.

I think I have found my niche and, when I look back at some of hassles that have occurred along the way, I realize there was a reason for some things just not working out. I think you, too, will find your niche. Unfortunately, the journey can be frustrating and, at times, rather painful.

:hug: I am so sorry you are going through this. But you will get through it.

Chocolate-Chip Cookie Dough doesn't solve many problems in the long-term but for right now, to get you over the immediate pain, it works wonders.

Specializes in Health Information Management.

Favorite ultra-loaded ice cream + pizza = one of the all-time great mood improvers.

I'm sorry to hear you're having such a rotten day. Focus used to be a big problem for my husband, especially at work. When he was finally formally diagnosed with ADHD a couple of years ago, a combination of behavioral modification and medication enormously increased his ability to stay focused, recall details, and "turn off" the music that was always playing in his head.

Perhaps you tried a type of nursing that doesn't fit your strengths. Have you considered investigating other portions of the field, maybe by shadowing nurses who work in areas that interest you?

Specializes in ER, Med/Surg, PCU, CCU, Home Care CM.

So sorry. Please don't give up. It is very hard to get back into nursing. Some of the best nurses I worked with were 40-60 yr olds. Sub acute care can be a hectic place to start. Was it days? My friend went back to work on a medical floor night shift and said she told her LVN and aide to teach her everything they knew. She always then asked for the hardest patients with the most tasks. It took about about a year to learn to organize her shift and get confidence. You can do it.

Thanks everyone for all your support and good suggestions. After I get over my shock and sadness, I think will be ok. I may not end up exactly where I pictured a year ago, but I hope to learn from everything and move forward. :loveya:Thanks all!

Specializes in geriatrics/long term care.

:confused: I have never been fired from a job, I'm sure it's not fun. But i HAVE made med errors before, made bad judgements, had bad outcomes, and generally just really not been perfect. If we are the sum of our mistakes, then many of us could have also been fired. I come from the perspective of someone who has been in nursing since my 20's, and I am pushing 40 now.

If I had to go through, now, what I went through as a young nurse, I woud be ready to quit too. But don't quit. I want to remind you that whatever you got into nursing for, you can still achieve that. :redbeathe For every door that closes, another one opens...That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger..etc. Have you considered other specialties. Just to name a few, there's Hospice, Home health, Dr. Offices, community health(public clinics and company nurse), prison nursing, school nurse, long term care, MDS or clerical nursing, teaching, wound care, and, of course, many many roles that nurses can assume in the hospital( i am consistently amazed at the number of nurses who still believe that a hospital is the only place that we are needed). You don't have to have experience for everything. The right employer will train you(especially government sponsored positions or large chain companys.)

It sounds like you are in an environment that does not match your particular strengths. :down: Open your mind to other options!:up: Somewhere out there your destiny awaits. Don't give up now. Consider commuting if you need to.

Whatever you decide, look at each new position as a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. That way, WHATEVER HAPPENS, you walk away with valuable exposure to new situations. It's a win win situation. AND NO MATTER WHAT......always bring your best to the table:o(don't be a slacker, that doesn't work in any situation).

Your personal happiness with your job affects your job performance. Try to find what u luv 2 do.:nurse:

I can relate to how you feel. I failed level one of the RN course I was in. They refused my appeal (after I quit my job to show how serious I was):eek:. I then went through a bridge program for LPN school and I am really having a hard time. I passed the bridge part and I am in third level. However I have an instructor that I can not do anything right.:crying2: She said "The problem I have with you is you came in this program in the middle and you don't know how things are done." I have avoided her whenever possible but I am failing in her section. Now I am on peds and guess who teaches it.:uhoh3: You got it, she looked at my clinical paper one time today. Put red all over it, said redo sign explain. So I did. After clinical she said I have given you an unsatisfactory get it redone for monday if you can do it right. If I can't I am out. I am tired scared and to old for this. :o I compared my paper with the other two students only a few differences, I don't know what to do. Did I mention she is my advisor.Does any one have any ideas?:idea: I would be happy for your :twocents:! Desperate in Pa

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