The long term effects of being fired

not2L84me · May 4, 2008

Hi Everyone!I too join the ranks of being fired not once but several times.The first time was when I was coaxed into taking a job as a UR nurse for a small group of doctors. I left a job where I was working for a major Healthcare corportation doing QA/UR. Although it was wonderful it required a long travel time to and from work. The pay was wonderful and so were the benefits.I was convinced by one of the people that I spoke regularly to with my business dealings. After considering that my travel time would be miniscule and that the gasoline expense would also cut down I accepted. I took a major cut in pay. Needless to say, the place was a mess when I got there. There was no organization, referrals were delinquent, responses and requests to doctors and insurances companies were so delayed and ridiculous. I advocated for the patients and found creative ways that would allow for them to get the care they needed. Shortly after I got the department in order, I was let go, because there were many doctors that said that they never got responses from me or authorizations for procedures. This was baloney since I always received glowing compliments both rom physicians as well as patients. I also found out that I had been the highest paid nurse there. So I felt used. I was only needed there until I straightened their mess up and let go. Mind you, never received a prior written warning or anything!The next time, a similar thing happened. This time I was working for an organization fo foster kids. Again paid well compared to the ususal and customary in this rural town. The place was a mess. I got along well with every single soul. The doctor was wonderful and even the other anal doctor that was there, I managed to win over. I am a perfectionist so, again I got the place in order. Doctors, patients and the patients' caregivers were all happy. Oh yeah social workers too, especially when they had reports that needed to be complete for their presentation in court. Well this time I was told that one of the foster mother comlained that I ignored her and that I had my feet up on the desk and was having a personal conversation on the phone. NO WAY in HELLo. Totally not my work ethic. Never would I do that. So that was it. Bye bye! I just didn't understand. Stellar reports and kicked in the can.Last time, I was working for a third party for Workman's Comp. They are soooo unethical. The owner of the company had me listen three way conversations to try to teach me to lie, whether it be to the insurance companies, the patients', even the patients' employers, as well as the home healt and even physicians. This also included any type of rehab service, such as PT to DME to psych consults, etc, etc. So many people. I was notified that my grandmother was on her deathbed and I went. In the meantime, being so stuoid and naive. I asked my co-worker to deposit my paycheck. Here we go again. She found out that I was making more money, substantially more than she was and pretty darned close to waht the RN was making. She had been there several years while I had only been there months. This was the most disgusting job I ever had. It went against my morals, ethics, etc. I thought I became a nurse to help people and here I was depriving them of the appropriate medical care all so the company could sock away the savings. I literally felt sick in the morning knowing I had to go to work and lie. Soon after this co-worker found out my pay, they came up with the excuse that I wasn't producing enough. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It always boils down to the almighty dollar. How could I have been released when again I got glowing reports. I actually published an article for another company. Guess who recommended me. The company that fired me. Go figure!So yes, I've been where you all are, but as long as you keep believing that it is God's will and He has His reasons, keep the faith and healing can start to take place. It is not easy to feel worthless, underappreciated. You begin to wonder about yourself and feel so empty and not good enough. I've been in those moccasins. Be patient. Things do get better. Blessings to all.

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · May 4, 2008

I was "asked to resign" from a position during orientation. It was 2 months into it, but had already been thrown to the wolves. They put me on my shift and my 'preceptor' was the ony other nurse on (this was an ER!!). Their side: I made a very bad judgment (gave some med via IV push for a doc to reduce a fracture. Cannot even remember what it was, but I was told at that dose, it was considered conscious sedation and should have had the patient on the monitor. That was the straw that broke the camels back for them. They didn't feel I had an assertive enough attitude. Supposedly a doc asked me if I wanted to do something (like start a line) and I gave some answer like "I don't need to do anymore of those". I seriously do not recall that at all (this was 8 yrs ago, and even then I did not remember it). I did not do well on the PBDS initially, and they felt my repeat was not satisfactory enough either.

The specifics really do not matter, but the thing is, it shattered me... big time. I felt like such a fool. I blamed myself. There were about 4 others in my orientation group who were doing fine. I was NOT a new grad, had almost 2 yrs of M/S, and a few years of homecare. But at that point, I still was not a super-confident nurse, and this only made it worse.

then I started to look at the big picture. I really did not stand up for myself, I didn't argue my side (how could you leave me by myself in that position) and I never told them flat out that I was not ready to go off shift, or off orientation. I thought it would make me look incompetent. Instead, i goofed big time. I really didn't have any support, it was a union hosp, but I was still on probation.

Luckily, it never came back to haunt me. I got a job about 6 weeks later in a much less stressful environment. Fortunately, I was able to leave it off my resume (it was my first job back after maternity leave... too quick some would say... so it wasn't strange that I had a gap in employment). That job was fine, it was much more managable.

The next job made me nervous, because it was another 'specialty' that involved a rigorous orientation. It worked out fine, but I was very nervous throughout the orientation. I had a friend that did not make it through though, so I felt her pain.

What did I learn from this? That ER nursing was NOT for me. At least not then, at that hopsital. I found my niche after that, and learned a great deal form that experience: don't be afraid to speak up if something is not right. Don't be afraid to ask for help if I am overwhelmed. I did second guess things a lot more (like "am I ready to be off orientation"), and never truly felt 'not ready' for any other jobs after that. I pass this on to my studnets when I teach (not my experience, but the lessons learned) So I really do believe that it was not the place for me.

RNforLongTime · May 5, 2008

I was fired from a nursing position over two years ago. I'm STILL suffering! Even though since being fired, I went on to PASS the CCRN exam and have an excellent reviews at my current place of employment

I have a job at a hospital now but I REALLY don't like it there. There is NO pesnion plan. Nursing admin is NOT supportive of nursing staff. No efforts guided towards nursing education, retention and recruitment. It's a small community hospital. I have NO say in how nursing care is delivered. And the hospital has a poor community reputation and always has. I try not to tell people where I work cause I get that "oh, you work THERE?" comment from people that makes me look like a bad nurse since it's the only place that would hire me.

Since I work in a small town, once the hospital I apply to SEES that I was fired from XYZ hospital, I don't even get an interview. Or the interviewer gets a funny look on his/her face when I explain WHY I was fired.

Seems that everyone knows everyone in this small community and I KNOW that XYZ hospital has talked to ABC hospital(where I BEGAN my career over 10 yrs ago) about me and I've not interviewed at ABC hospital since before I was fired.

I've applied at the VA hospital in the area---can't even get an interview and I CALLED the ICU nurse manager myself and left a message on her voicemail which was never returned when I KNEW they had open positions.

I most recently had an interview at an LTACH hospital in my area....but was NEVER called back for a second interview.

I've interviewed at the even smaller hospital in my hometown that is owned by a larger parent hospital out of a big metropolitan city....again, once I tell them WHY I was fired, I get that "funny look" and um well we'll see if the ICU manager is comfortable hiring you under those circumstances! And I never hear back from them.

I'm REALLY fed-up! Moving is NOT an option. I have a small child so traveling isn't an option either right now......

I just keep plugging along and HOPE that someday the situation will change. It just HAS to!

I've been told over and over again that I am too "good" to be where I am currently at but I don't know what else to do to change the situation.

RedZeppelinRN · May 5, 2008

I was fired from a nursing position over two years ago. I'm STILL suffering! Even though since being fired, I went on to PASS the CCRN exam and have an excellent reviews at my current place of employment
I have a job at a hospital now but I REALLY don't like it there. There is NO pesnion plan. Nursing admin is NOT supportive of nursing staff. No efforts guided towards nursing education, retention and recruitment. It's a small community hospital. I have NO say in how nursing care is delivered. And the hospital has a poor community reputation and always has. I try not to tell people where I work cause I get that "oh, you work THERE?" comment from people that makes me look like a bad nurse since it's the only place that would hire me.
Since I work in a small town, once the hospital I apply to SEES that I was fired from XYZ hospital, I don't even get an interview. Or the interviewer gets a funny look on his/her face when I explain WHY I was fired.
Seems that everyone knows everyone in this small community and I KNOW that XYZ hospital has talked to ABC hospital(where I BEGAN my career over 10 yrs ago) about me and I've not interviewed at ABC hospital since before I was fired.
I've applied at the VA hospital in the area---can't even get an interview and I CALLED the ICU nurse manager myself and left a message on her voicemail which was never returned when I KNEW they had open positions.
I most recently had an interview at an LTACH hospital in my area....but was NEVER called back for a second interview.
I've interviewed at the even smaller hospital in my hometown that is owned by a larger parent hospital out of a big metropolitan city....again, once I tell them WHY I was fired, I get that "funny look" and um well we'll see if the ICU manager is comfortable hiring you under those circumstances! And I never hear back from them.
I'm REALLY fed-up! Moving is NOT an option. I have a small child so traveling isn't an option either right now......
I just keep plugging along and HOPE that someday the situation will change. It just HAS to!
I've been told over and over again that I am too "good" to be where I am currently at but I don't know what else to do to change the situation.

You never know what they are up to. I live in a big city and they also know everything. In any business they go to the same conference, get-togethers, and such. I have never seen the likes of firing nurses like they do now. It is all about money. They are trying to make us slaves and second class citizens for profit. I wonder when it is all going to fall apart for them?

Red

love_being_an_aide · May 5, 2008

I vividly remember being fired from a job. I was working as a manager for a fast-food restaurant, and the owner's nephew was given a job there a few weeks previous. This particular night, I had asked the nephew to take out the garbage before he left, and he said no, he had done all the work he was going to do, and if I didn't like it, I should call his uncle. I told him that he was disrespectful, and to leave the store immediately and not come back. The next day, I was fired by the uncle. To this day, I still live in fear of being fired. Every mistake I make, I wonder if i'm not going to have a job to go back to. It's hard to get over, but i'm slowly working on it. :crying2:

Seasoned · May 5, 2008

don't dispair, my sister! it's fixable! as patti labelle sings, "you" just need to get "a new attitude"! i feel your almost acceptance of the fate they are trying to bestow on you: professional low self esteem.

don't let them!!!!!! yeah, small towns are rough, but powerful!. understand, it accept it, and strategize around it! remember the best revenge is success!!!!

the answer: think outside the box and re-invent your career (and "your attitude") via travel nursing. there are tons of jobs bursting out all over!!!!!!!!! the adverage age of the nurse globally has crashed into the worst nursing crisses in history. you got skills, baby!!! sell them to the highest bidder. travel nursing agencies now offer even better benefit packages then the brick & mortar employers as they rise to the occassion to woo experienced nurses. (the inexperienced are a very high liability to them). you can take your husband , your kids and your pets now: anywhere in the world!!! let the village see you go on adventures and bring back tons of bucks with tales of fun and appreciation for you! everyone loves a prn or temp nurse. you're in, you're out - no office politics sticks!!! th e tax write-off while you maintain your tax base residence is equivalent to adding 2 dependents! all your travel costs, license maintenance, meals, clothes, supplies to support your traveling become a double pay out in fat refund checks!!

get a nice beverage 2 hours in front of you undisturbed and sit in front of your computer. computer key words: travel nursing

supportive sites: travelnursetoolbox.com, and kobaly.com have fun with their links.

pack your career bags!! by the time you really get tired of traveling the administrators and managers that you knew at the old place(s) have been fired or retired! present your new travel resume with stellar recommendations and start anew. the old firing? trust me people have a short memory and you were not the first who "they" have tried to assassinate by career black-listing.

only "your" attitude is holding you back, baby. do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LadysSolo · May 6, 2008

Actually, agency nursing is a very good option too. I have avoided two possibly worse situations (I had applied for two NP jobs, then was assigned to the facilities by my agency before the interviews) by the "try before you buy" - I did not want to work there after all. If they treat RNs that way, why would I think they would treat NPs any better. However, the fear remains. Despite being offered a permanent job by nearly every place I work at as an RN for the agency, I still want to work as an NP. I have two interviews next week, and I am deathly afraid to take a job for fear I will be put in a bad situation and fired again. I just have to write a better contract, I think.

KarynicaRN · May 6, 2008

hello. i was fired once from a state ran mental institution. the reason i was fired was because the "big wig" who i called repeatedly didn't, wouldn't or couldn't answer his phone. even another nurse tried to contact him and he never called back. he was to be notified in the event that a recipient received medical treatment by a doctor. in my case the doctor applied dermabond to the recipients head and let him get back to his regular activities. what made me the most mad was the guy who didn't answer the phone stated he was probably at a basketball game that night and chose not to answer.

i told my side of the story to the unemployment office and i was granted unemployment benefits for 18 months. i was making about 1/2 of what i would have gotten for working, but really didn't care and needed the rest. now i am teaching nurse assistant students and even use the place that fired me as a reference. it has never had a bad effect on any of my jobs. they knew they messed up. obviously they didn't want a good nurse.

I1tobern · May 6, 2008

I was fired because of someone else, and it has been ultra difficult to get another job. I have kind of kicked around since then, left hospital nursing (which I truly love) completely at this point. No one will even talk to you about a job. I have to say that I am still very hurt and bitter, because the person who got me fired was supposed to be a friend. :banghead:

MoonRising · May 6, 2008

I have been fired twice (non-nursing). The first time it was because the other two women who worked there decided they didn't like me because I wasn't gossiping because I am shy and don't believe in gossiping. I came into work, opened the business and began working as usual for 3 hours. Then when the other two women came in they gave me evil looks and when the manager came in she promptly told me my employment wan't going to work out in front of every one. I had only been at this job for two weeks. I was given no warning I was about to be fired.

The second time was when I had graduated from Pharmacy Technician school and I had gotten my first job at a hospital. I worked long hours, volunteered to help everyone, and seemed to get along with everyone. But unfortunatly for me, the gentleman who delivered our prescriptions developed a crush on me. This made one of the Pharmacist jelouse and she began to make my life a living hell. I came to work one day, opened the pharmacy and noticed my name was scratched off of the schedule. Then another Pharmacy Technician came in, late by the way, and we were puzzled why two technicians were working the same shift. Then after two hours of working I was called into the office and fired. No reason or warning given.

To this day, I cannot get over being fired not once but twice. It hurt my pride and definetly changed how I see people. I felt like I was unimportant and replacable in the eyes of companies. And I was disappointed that good hard work doesn't seem to pay anymore. Where's the love??? :crying2:

trixieloohoo · May 6, 2008

Sometimes these things happen- the best revenge is to brush it off and go forward successfully. I know that is easier said than done- you need time to grieve. But learn from the experience and do not let it define your future. No one gets through life unscathed.