JOBLESS

[berhaelee]

First of all, I was fired 3 weeks ago from my first job. I worked there for a month and fired because of med error. If anyone of you wondering the welfare of the patient, I tell you - she is SUPER OKAY! She doesn't have any adverse effects. Her vital signs are in normal range. It was my first offense and a self reported error. The Director said straight to my face that I am incompetent. It broke my heart. I am currently looking for jobs with no luck. I look EVERYWHERE. I went directly to nursing homes and rehab facility but still no response. I am so down right now. To make it worse, my dad got fired also in his job. My family is jobless, and no money to buy stuff. Why do bad things happen to good people??!! I am so desperate that I am thinking of applying to department stores, restaurant or anywhere that is hiring. Its so shameful that a NURSE IS WORKING IN THE DEPARTMENT STORES! I will be a laughing stock to my batch mates, relatives and friends. Do you guys have similar experience? What did you do? What should I do?!

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Keep looking, and if you need to take a job outside of nursing, so be it.

Beat wishes

[Undone]

If nobody worked at department stores we would all have to learn to sew.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

(((Hugs))) We've all made med errors, and we're encouraged to self-report them. I'm sorry you were fired for this.

That said, it is never shameful to provide for yourself and your family (assuming it's honest work of course.) My dad retired from the US Air Force after 20 years, and then went to work in a gas station. My husband has a master's degree in finance, and a few years ago he was working a 2nd job as a waiter. You do what you need to.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

You just do what you need to do. I would say flu clinics are a good choice for work this time of year. And if you go into any pharmacy, see if you can work with a pharmacist, if they have urgent care as part of a pharmacy, that kind of thing. There is also agency nursing that nurses can work for mobile units that go to job sites, insurance company nursing, that type of thing.

Best of luck, and I would be also willing to do a per diem job in nursing in skilled or LTC as opposed to full time. Another thought is to become a CPR instructor, a CNA instructor.

If you can get a scholarship or financial aid, (or a grant if you have little income) another thought is to do an EMT class (and check the regulations, some RN's can comp the test, and just take practical) that way you could also look at the ambulance companies around your area. You could also then go to Paramedic, and then you could teach a world of classes on ACLS and the like.

Then, continue to try and land a per diem in nursing. Oh, and any number of large department stores have occupational health--see what you can find. And even if you have to be a cashier, it is work--and that is OK.

Best of luck to you!

[berhaelee]

Thanks for your support guys. I am crying while reading your post. Thank you! Thank you!

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

No shame in having to take a job that isn't nursing. An honest job pays the bills just as much as the Nursing Jobs. The bill collectors don't notice a greener hue to the money from a nurse or a janitor...money is money :)

As for those so called 'friends' and family members who are laughing at you. I suggest you kick them to the curb and surround yourself with people who try to lift you up and keep you there than those who try to keep a foot on your back and keep you down.

Best of luck!

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

One self-reported med error that caused no harm to the patient? Is there more to this story? That seems a pretty harsh line they're taking. No verbal warning, no education/remediation?

[berhaelee]

One self-reported med error that caused no harm to the patient? Is there more to this story? That seems a pretty harsh line they're taking. No verbal warning, no education/remediation?

Yup. They suspend me first before I got fired. They signed me for something after my med error that I understood what I've done and no education/remediation. After I was suspend, they said that I was incompetent and so on and the final blow is they fired me.

[yashimi]

For the meantime, why not try home health or try personal caregivers(go to an agency) just to sustain your everyday expenses while still apply to facilities and hospitals. God is good! be strong!

[berhaelee]

For the meantime, why not try home health or try personal caregivers(go to an agency) just to sustain your everyday expenses while still apply to facilities and hospitals. God is good! be strong!

I am trying to apply for clinical preceptorship in all hospitals here. I dont know if I can get in but its worth to try, isnt it?

[13grad71]

Once during a period of financial hardship, I told a friend that I was going to go to nursing school to be a nurse. That person laughed at my face. Suffice to say that person is now and will be forever an ex friend. Who need people like that in your life.

[MissRN_Dior, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

WHO CARES!!!!! I AM A NURSE THAT WORKS IN A DEPARTMENT STORE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Yes some ppl say comments but what the goodness do i care, i pay my bills and i continue to look for employment . Ppl talk when you are doing GOOD & BAD .