Finding jobs after being fired

[erkaluv]

Hi everyone, I need to know what to do. I am a hard working RN and have been for over 20 years, but I have been fired from three jobsin the past 8 years. I have a job now but it is a contract job and we may not get the contract next year. 1st job that I was fired from - I was grabbed by a high ranking officer in the corrections facility in the elevator, he was pressing me against the wall trying to kiss me. I did not say anything because I was afraid of loosing my job. I started having some trouble with him a few months later and it all had to come out. So to save him I had to be fired for something. They started asking me questions about a friend that was in there and yes I gave him a pepsi, and talked to him more than the others. So I was fired. 2nd job that I was fired from - I did not get along with the charge nurse and we had words often, not loud angry words but she was always trying to get me to do her job, and made me do stuff right when I asked if I can go to lunch. They found that I had miscounted some Epogen and said that I took some so I was fired. I was so disturbed about that , I just said okay, fine. I have never, in my life stolen any medications, ever, ever! Well, I did not fight it - I just left. I don't even know how much I was to have allegedly stokan. Now the company probably has it on my record that I stole a medication. What can I do about that, how can I clear myself of that thing, that now affects my work history? 3rd- I was in a job for 5 years dealing with workplace bullying and harrassment, I was starting to get panic attacks and trembling and crying while at work. One day, I wrote a B/P that I thought was it, then I changed it by making a 30 into an 80, because I don't know, I was freaking out or something, I was just so overwhelmed by everything I just couldn't bear to deal with something else , then I got scared because it was in ink and didn't want to draw another line, I just froze and went outside and started crying and shaking again. Of course I got fired!

This is all the honest to God truth. I know that things like this has happened to other nurses too. What did you do? How about when I apply for another job and they see that I have been fired three times? You know I have always worked hard, worked overtime, come in when someone else calls in sick, I never called in sick unless I was almost dying, I have not had a vacation in over 15 years, and I always try to be a happy, positive person. Maybe I need to get some kind of an attorney to help me with this, I just don't know. It just seems so unfair. Thank you all for listening.

[smn2010, BSN, RN]

...not trying to be funny but... !!!take a vacation!!!!

it seems as though you are at a point where you don't even believe in yourself or have faith in your own skills/abilities, etc. any more. you've been fired 3 times. ask yourself...what did you do after the first 2 terminiations when you had to interview for a new job??? just do it again. during an interview, if your are confident and honest (i wouldn't tell the story the way you have written them above) a prospective employer will hire you. if you were able to find a contract job after being fired/terminated twice, there are companies out there that will hire you after your third termination. just remain positive.

also, there is nothing wrong with being a dedicated worker but...gee wiz....no vacation in 15 years is a bit much. i question "why" you have elected not to vacation/take time off considering the terminations that have occurred. coming to work even though you are near dying doesn't help you or your patients!!! you need to get a hold of yourself. learn to speak up (professionally, of course) when necessary.

you state that you did not say anything to anyone about your "elevator situation" because you were afraid of losing your job. well...you lost your job any way. keeping silent did not help you in your situation. i say that because, as a professional in the work place, you don't seem to be able to express yourself (communicate) while on the job. you allow others to do what they want to you and you "accept" it for "fear of losing your job" --- that job, you end up losing any way. so, your work place tactics don't seem to be getting you any where.

...learn from your mistakes... make the negatives (situations) into positive ones...

...work on projecting yourself as a strong, confident, professional...

...work on your communication skills...

...improve on your assertiveness skills...

...speak up--immediately--when there are negative issues/situations in the work place...

...present yourself in such a way that you also appear confident about your present your skills/abilities...

...seek counseling; your self esteem seems to be low (not just from the terminations--but from life in general) so maybe there are some underlying issues that you need to deal with...

there are jobs out there. you will find the right job/employer eventually.

use the time you are with your current employer wisely. be optimistic. maybe your contract will be renewed. the longer you stay with your contract employer, the better off you will be in regards to "time in job" and information to place on your resume.

good luck!!!

[caliotter3]

I have applied at employers that only require a seven year work history instead of the usual ten or everything history. I would not even be listing the oldest one anymore if I were you. You might want to consider signing on with an agency to do occasional shifts besides your full time job. That adds a new employer (or two, if you sign with more than one agency) and you can drop off another old employer from your resume. Don't dwell too much on these situations. Instead of talking about getting fired, talk about your experience, your skills, and abilities, your plans for your professional future. Keep the interview positive. Good luck.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

counseling..........now............

[toughtimes RN]

Misery loves company. Loyalty in the work place is gone. Partnerships are gone. Because of the economy there isn't a real nursing shortage and administrators aren't tolerating anything. Forgiveness is not in their vocabulary. I have 5 thank you notes for filling in when the hospital needed me. I am treated like a stray dog because I made a home in a vacant room that noone was using to avoid a commute and be fresher the next shift for a double back. The cool kids are in charge and the misfits are being pushed out the door. Try to be brave and just keep being honest. Try hard to learn from what has happened. Life isn't fair or just. Litigation has done more to harm then help us. They live in the rule book so rarely will you win on an unjust dismissal. Sorry, but you at least can know that you aren't alone. God knows where your heart is. God can deal with evil motives. Bitternness hurts too much. If you are that anxious I wonder if you could qualify for disability.

[looking for work]

I have noticed often the most defective, unprofessional nurses find their way into management and stay there, like gargoyles perched on rooftops. When nurses like this are in a position of leadership/decision making, the entire organization suffers because of it. I have seen it time and again, and have never understood how they continue to keep their jobs. Excellent nurses wind up slaughtered, and begin the path of recycling into another position somewhere else. I remember at one hospital, on night shift, a patient complained that I did not refill her PCA morphine pump soon enough. When it ran out, I had to wait for the nursing supervisor to bring a new one up from pharmacy. Then I had to do that really fun, switch and reconcile process to get the new syringe up and running. She had waited about a total of 30 minutes start to end. But I got written up for this. That story is just one needle in a hay stack of similar thankless experiences.

[conal6]

I am in a similar situation. I'm on vacation time right now that's why I found your post. Read 48 DAYS TO THE WORK YOU LOVE

it is helping me find my mistakes its easy to say "Learn from your mistakes" , but there is a lot more to finding a your mistakes

The book really helped with the part that said look at the areas in your life where you've been successful other than work, it worked I have a great wife, no debt other than mortgage and I've kept myself healthy. Really brought me back to life and out of despair. I'll have good thoughts and prayers for you.

[whereslilly]

I know this post is old..but it still unfortunately rings very true. Yes, there is some pos itive signs in the job market for RNs. It is still a terribly glutted market. The new game is hire you on, meanwhile building you and your families hopes up. (Yes, when there is no paycheck and you are the breadwinner its your kids that suffer). Then "legally" within your orientation period..before your bennies kick in, they find a reason to fire you. I know it is not me. I have held positions for 7yrs,3yrs,5yrs and then for 11 yrs. I have never heard such bs excuses. My family tell me to sue. Ha! Like I have the time, money, or inclination to do this. Generally, I have entered into situations where I was set up to fail. Guess this is why the job(s) were available. I am so sick of these games. I guess Im going to have to look into homecare. Hopefully I wont have these problems.