Discouraged

Hello, everyone :) I'm new to the forum. I came here to vent my frustration. Hopefully, this will be read by someone who has experienced something similar.

I'll get right to it. 4 years ago I made a huge and careless mistake for which I was fired for (deservedly so) and I have not been able to live it down. No action has ever been taken against my license fortunately, but whenever I am asked in an interview "Why did you leave I have to say I was fired and explain the reason. It's extremely difficult rehashing this over and over and over again. I learned my lesson.

Brace yourself. I had removed meds from the narc box and lost track of the medicine. A dementia patient got a hold of an entire bottle of narcotic pain meds that was intended for another patient. I verified the count immediately and noted the count was correct, thankfully. But it was too late and the damage was done. Even though the patient had not ingested any of the med, it was negligence on my part.

I've since worked another nursing job (fortunately-but only because they hired me on the spot asking me very few questions. Was my first clue that the place was a hell hole) but it's just to get me by. I get so angry after interviews because I'm condescended to after I tell them about the experience. Professionally speaking the least they could do is at least TRY to contain their shock and dismay just to be courteous. I might as well have committed a felony or confessed shooting up heroin.

Fortunately, I've been offered a job in the 'medical field' because I'm a nurse. The downside is that the wage is unbelievably low, even for a new grad and I've been nursing for 12 years. I now feel like I'll never get a decent paying job again or have much to look forward to. I am SO grateful to start a new job that isn't minimum wage and so disappointed at the same time.

Any positivity and optimism is welcome and very appreciated.

Thanks :)