Lost job april 09 ...need help

Hi indiansfan-

First, you have the option and right to appeal the decision by the Dept. of Labor. The Dept. of Labor will schedule a hearing in which you, a rep. from the DOL, and a representative from your facility (usually the DON or ADON) will appear. If your facility was union; then your union
rep. should assist you on this. Should this be scheduled, or if you appeal on paper- you will need as much documentation as you can muster up. Hopefully you have a copy of all past performance evaluations- which would prove that you were competent, conscientious, etc.
If you have any friends who are nurses (RN/LPN) ask them if they would write a letter of reference for you. It would be especially helpful if they worked at this facility. (Unfortunately, most women will not stand behind their comrades, even when they know they were wrongfully dismissed- for fear of their own job- especially if they are governed by an unethical/insecure DON). Try to obtain some free counsel via attorneys who deal with labor issues/Dept. of Labor. Call the legal aid society for some free consultation as well.
Next, keep looking for employment at whatever areas are feasible for you to commute to or possibly relocate (if that is an option). You could state on the application when asked "reason for leaving" - unsafe work environment or management differences. By law, employers are only suppose to provide your beginning and ending date of employment. However, many employers ask- would you rehire this person? And, of course, if the answer
is no- then the potential employer may know there's a problem. Don't give up- there's always a solution- really. If you have 25 years of experience- this is to your benefit- there are plenty of potential employers out there who would rather hire an experienced nurse than go through 3- 6 months of training a new grad. The other side of that situation is of course, $- and sometimes employers would rather hire a new grad- for much less pay. Beyond that,
make sure you have an up-to-date resume, with references from the past who will provide
good references for you. Even letters or cards from patients/residents/families who wrote to thank you for your excellent service. etc. would also help your case (with the DOL). As a very last resort- if you have a disability, or could be considered a minority(race, religion,etc)-
you could claim discrimination (maybe it really is in your case?). Good Luck

Claim discrimination?? Bad advice. Stand on your own without resorting to false claims. People in Massachusetts get unemployment even if they have a job so apparently the rules differ from state to state.

Appeal the UIC decision.

I am not sure how it works in your state, but file for unemployment- tell the truth- they will contact your previous employer and you may have a hearing about it. Go to the Department of Social Services to see if you qualify for some type of aid for food and essentials until you can get a job. You may have to resort to working at a market or retail or something until you can find something in nursing...but it is income for your child....

I remember from a previous post that you have children and dont want to move, but I am sorry, in your case, I would move. It sounds like you got a bum deal, the place is not friendly, I would start fresh in another place, hopefully where jobs are plentiful- any suggestions out there?

Did you ever think that it is not you personally that is the reason you can not find a position BUT... because of the economy??? I used to place approx 3-4 ads per year on careerbuilder for nurses but, now I have my positions filled for the last 5 months and new applications coming in constantly for which there are no openings. It is not just here, it is all over that the census is down in nursing homes and hospitals and layoffs are occurring.

I'm sorry you are in the spot you are and hope that you can fine something real soon.