Can't get work

[Tabakb19]

I was recently terminated from a Ltc facility d/t medication error. To my knowledge I am not being investigated but it has been a little over a month so I can't be certain. According to the nurse practice act I am required to disclose this error in my interviews. I know this is preventing me from getting a job even though everyone is saying it shouldnt. One interview I explained the error what I did wrong and how I learned from this situation and immediatly was told nothing was available but full time nights which I had told them prior I could not do. Almost ran out of gas because i really didnt even have the money to get to the interview.The next interview went more smoothly and the director explained what my duties would be then the dreaded " we will get in touch" and to look for an email and nice to meet you. I am so frustrated right now i know I made a mistake and hold accountability for my actions but now I feel so worthless as a nurse. And financially we will be ruined. I have even applied to fast food restaurants thinking this will hold us over until I get a higher paying job but there's no way we can make it on that income compared to what we have been living on. I just don't know what to do

[JuliaLPN-RN]

I agree with the above post, have a friend call and pretend to be a potential employer...Find out what exactly it is that they will say about you. Have you tried applying at home health agencies? The pay is lower, but they are always DESPERATE for nurses. Don't give up.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

My only advice is in the meantime, are you completely sure you can't make night shift work even temporarily? If your options are potentially limited due to this med error admission, and you stated you are extremely financially tight, I would really have a hard time passing up a job offer even if it's not ideal by being night shift. It's easier to get another job when you have a job, so maybe you can make it work for a while.

[Lisacar130]

There are actually services you can hire to do a reference check for you, if you don't feel like doing it yourself.

I know hospitals in my area only say dates of employment and title held. If asked if you're rehirable, they only answer if it's an affiliated hospital. Otherwise they literally only say dates and title. I would be shocked if your old place went into any details about your med error during a reference check. That sounds illegal to me.

I have not heard of being required to say you made a med error in interviews, even if that was the reason you were let go. I bet most other nurses in your state are not being as honest as you are in interviews. Otherwise they (the interviewer) would be used to hearing this type of story and it sounds like they are not because this seems to be the barrier you are having in getting a new job.

[Workitinurfava, BSN, RN]

Consider doing something else if it is possible (not involving meds). I am not seeing the desperation. Take the night job.

[Megan1977, MSN, EdD, RN]

My only advice is in the meantime, are you completely sure you can't make night shift work even temporarily? If your options are potentially limited due to this med error admission, and you stated you are extremely financially tight, I would really have a hard time passing up a job offer even if it's not ideal by being night shift. It's easier to get another job when you have a job, so maybe you can make it work for a while.

I agree 100%- if a night position is available, you need to take it.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

I doubt the reason you aren't getting hired is that ONE medication error; I also cannot believe you were fired for it. Actually, I am astounded by the number of nurses here who state they were terminated for one med error. If there are several errors, or if a patient was harmed in some way, yeah, I get it, but to go ahead and terminate a nurse over one med error is extreme, especially when the facility has invested time and money into you. The places where you have applied for jobs probably has received numerous apps and simply can pick and choose. I agree, don't discount nights. I work nights because I need the money and want a job.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

It sounds like you were pretty much offered full time nights. If you are so out of money that you can't afford to drive to an interview, then you are so out of money you cannot afford to be so picky about your shift. Something to think about. Facts are, night shift jobs are generally more plentiful and harder to fill. If you want to work, you will find a way.

[neonn965]

It is really hard to get hired into a new facility on day shift even without a questionable work history resulting in termination. I would open my options up to include nights.

[Tabakb19]

I agree with the above post, have a friend call and pretend to be a potential employer...Find out what exactly it is that they will say about you. Have you tried applying at home health agencies? The pay is lower, but they are always DESPERATE for nurses. Don't give up.

Thanks everyone for the advice finally got a job at another faciliy and used the advice above again thanks so much!