Could the reason I got fired from my last job affect becoming a nurse

Nurses Career Support

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Okay...so last year I worked at an assisted living center. I'm young, I was 21 at the time and made a very very very poor choice of being intimate with a fellow co worker while at work. Long story short, we got caught and were fired. I'm worried that when I start to apply for a nursing position and they call former employee's, they will find out from my ex employer that whole story. I've read that former employers can say anything about you, but usually choose what they say wisely due to defamation. Should I be worried that I'll never get hired??? I am guilty of overthinking things and this is a worry I can't seem to shake. I don't want a potential employer to think they will have to worry about my shacking up with a co worker in an on call room. I don't think my former boss would say the reason I was fired, but you can never be to sure. I really hope this did not ruine my chances of finding a nursing position! Does anyone have any words that could put my mind at ease? It would be much appreciated!

It happened. But the co worker didn't see actual intercourse. Therefore she'd be lying as well. Sure, she saw the putting of the shirts back on and of course that gave it away but to say she saw us in the act would be a LIE.

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I know I must put them as a reference and they may or may not tell, but surely there will be a hospital that hires me. I appreciate your honesty but considering there are nurses who have misdemeanors...compared to someone walking in on me and a co worker not engaging in sex, but half way back to dressed, I'm not going to worry and assume I will never have a nurse position.

"me and a co worker not engaging in sex, but half way back to dressed" Currently watching Grey's Anatomy and I find that hysterical.

The fact is.. you were fired for it. The facility will not go into specifics as to why, but you still have a termination on your record.

That WILL make it harder for you to secure another position. I don't know how long you worked there, but I would leave it off my resume. I left off a couple of undesirable situations, worked for me.

*** before I get flamed, realize that my decision has already been beaten to death on another thread***

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Specializes in Gerontology.

It doesn't matter if someone actually saw you having sex or not. The fact is you are not doing the job you are being paid to do. Instead of taking care of your pts, you and a co-worker are hiding in a back room somewhere fooling around. Ignoring your job, placing your pts at risk for harm.

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See leaving it off makes me worry because I have read where nurses have left off a job and somehow during a background check or some type of check it showed the job they left off and they were fired. So if that would happen to me then that would be two jobs I was fired from.

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Specializes in CCRN.
I work at a company where you take care of kids and young adults who have developmental disabilities. I have been there for a year now and I'll still continue working there until I am done with school. I start the nursing program this coming January! I will graduate in May 2019. I know for a fact they will put in a good word for me when contacted. I 100% would not make the same mistake I did at my last job.

So, you already have another job and haven't even started the nursing program yet. Honestly, I think there is little chance this is going to hinder you from getting a job as a nurse as long as you keep things positive between now and then. Don't get fired again (for any reason). I wouldn't mention the other place firing you unless you are specifically asked about it. If you are asked about it, you could then say you had a relationship with a coworker that caused a conflict. You may or may not be asked about it.

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I definitely didn't plan on mentioning it unless asked. I think what you said about the relationship and causing conflict is good enough. It's not really lying. It's up to my employer rather or not they say anything bad. I have no control of it but from they way my supervisor talked about me when she had to terminate me I don't think she will say anything bad. She complimented me over and over and stated how she hated having to terminiate me. I know she'll be honest when they call but I don't see her saying anything unprofessional.

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Specializes in CCRN.
I definitely didn't plan on mentioning it unless asked. I think what you said about the relationship and causing conflict is good enough. It's not really lying. It's up to my employer rather or not they say anything bad. I have no control of it but from they way my supervisor talked about me when she had to terminate me I don't think she will say anything bad. She complimented me over and over and stated how she hated having to terminiate me. I know she'll be honest when they call but I don't see her saying anything unprofessional.

That supervisor may not even be there when you apply for a nursing job. I wouldn't put to much thought into what she said as she was firing you.

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Hi, I sent you a private message. Good luck to you!

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I tried to reply but it said I couldn't! But I really really appreciate your message! It meant a lot and helped put my mind at ease! Thank you for opening up and sharing your story with me!

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I got your message, don't know why it said it couldn't be sent. Thank you as well; glad I could help!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I definitely didn't plan on mentioning it unless asked. I think what you said about the relationship and causing conflict is good enough. It's not really lying. It's up to my employer rather or not they say anything bad. I have no control of it but from they way my supervisor talked about me when she had to terminate me I don't think she will say anything bad. She complimented me over and over and stated how she hated having to terminiate me. I know she'll be honest when they call but I don't see her saying anything unprofessional.

"Not really lying" means "not really honest" as well. I have to say, I don't think much of your integrity.

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That's fine. Your opinion on my integrity means nothing to me. But I am curious, what would you say in my position during an interview? Would you willingly say "I had sex at work?" I'm sure you won't answer because you some like the type of person to reply..."I would never put myself in that position because I have such high integrity." If you have never made a poor decision in your life espiecally while young, congrats to you!

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