Fired: Now what?

[patty377]

I find myself in a place I never though I would be. Due to politics at my facility I was fired. Someone decided they had it out for me and everything I did was micro-scrutinized. Everything I did was put under a microscope. I missed initialling a few places in a treatment book and put a completely harmless post on Facebook mentioning no names or other identifying factors. I didn't even have on my profile where I worked. I was dragged into the DON's office and told that the next mistake I made I would be terminated. Needless to say I was not at my best from then on. I was so nervous about making a mistake that I couldn't help making mistakes. I was grumpy with my co-workers and my patients and it wasn't long before they had me once again. They had a representative from their pharmacy follow me on a med pass to supposedly help us improve and correct mistakes. This woman talked to me the entire time I was trying to work despite my asking her to stop and needless to say I made mistakes, ie: forgetting to take a BP, forgetting to administer eye drops. I was toast. The DON tore at me for a good 30 minutes going on and on about what a bad nurse I was. I know it's not true. Most of my co-workers and supervisors told me they thought was done to me was wrong that I didn't do anything other nurses had done before and I was told by one person who was actually out to get me and I believe it.

Anyway do I tell prospective employers? as this happened to anyone else? I'm feeling disillusioned about nursing in general. This was my first position out of school and I thought I was doing a really good job. In my heart I know I'm a good nurse who was put in a very bad position. I love my patients and they loved me. I've been told they miss me terribly but I haven't had the nerve to go back to visit them. I've been questioning if I should even continue my education and my career.

Help!!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

How long had you been employed at this particular facility?

Contrary to popular notions, a professional life does exist after being involuntarily terminated. I wish you the best of luck.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

NEVER post anything about work on facebook, no matter how innocent or harmless you think it is.

[patty377]

I was there for just over a year. And my Facebook post was beyond harmless. I posted "I wish families wouldn't fight about patients wishes when there is a Power of Attorney and a Living Will that spells those wishes out so plainly" No names, no facility, no identifying factors whatsoever. But I have definitely learned my lesson. I am no longer FB friends with anyone I work with, even those I am legitimately friends with. It's sad that they felt the need to have to dig so deep to find a reason to fire me. The best part is that other employees had in the past and since made posts with patients names and obvious identifying factors have not been disciplined at all. I had been unhappy there for a while, I'm sure it was for the best but it's tough not being able to do a job that I love.

[rschrock]

I was there for just over a year. And my Facebook post was beyond harmless. I posted "I wish families wouldn't fight about patients wishes when there is a Power of Attorney and a Living Will that spells those wishes out so plainly" No names, no facility, no identifying factors whatsoever. But I have definitely learned my lesson. I am no longer FB friends with anyone I work with, even those I am legitimately friends with. It's sad that they felt the need to have to dig so deep to find a reason to fire me. The best part is that other employees had in the past and since made posts with patients names and obvious identifying factors have not been disciplined at all. I had been unhappy there for a while, I'm sure it was for the best but it's tough not being able to do a job that I love.

I have been a nurse-BSN going after my Msn, for four years I have seen it, bottom line is this, people in management get scared when they see someone who is a better nurse than them.

I had a 2 yr RN as my supervisor, I also was going for my masters degree, two other unit managers where also in masters progress, they dragged up trumped up charges on ALL three of us within a month, and all three of us where fired, NO, it is not the end, just say you wanted to move on.

Keep in mind these Director of nursing people, had their "click", clicks are dangerous.

In obummas economy, jobs are hard to find even for nurses, if economey ever comes back, things will be different.

Right now they can fire you for anything, they have hundreds of nurses looking for work.

[patty377]

Thanks for the encouragement. That's what I have been telling people which is really true anyway. I have wanted to move on but had become comfortable and it was easier to stay.

[PeepnBiscuitsRN]

All I can say is I'm sorry. Yeah, don't ever...don't talk about anything relating to your job or even nursing in general on FB I think...I think that's the route I'm going. I think the only thing I might ever say is "I love my job, I love my facility." The powers that be have their little ways, you know. They have their ways of monitoring those things... what is it called? Big Brother? 1984? That sort of thing.

So it's interesting to me that they would send pharmacy around with you. Was it a tech or an actual RPh? Did they do this to others too? Seems fishy. But then again, you said you thought the whole thing was a set up. Best of luck to you!

[Julie19, CNA]

It sounds like they did you a favor. No one should have to work in a toxic environment like that. Pick yourself back up and move on. :hug:

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

That is weird to send pharamcy around with you since you are the one actually administering the medication with an RN license. For some reason they were out to get you so made a case b/c those were minor infractions..did harm come to anyone..a missed BP..did you not have a baseline reading ..all sounds supect to me. What is your gut telling you is the real reason they were on a witch hunt? you need to figure it out so you do not make the same mistakes again..even if it was not your fault. Do not let this sour you on nursing..just consider it a bump in the road..a challenge and NOT a failure. it is really important what you tell yourself so you stay positive and focused and try to find something else where the team works well with each other and managment has a good reputation. learn from whatever mistakes you made..acknowledge them and then move on to something BETTER..you can do it!

[MJB2010]

Learn from this. When you were called in and threatened about making any more mistakes, you should have dusted off the resume and started a serious job search. All you can do now is put it behind you and move forward. All those coworkers and supervisors that say you re a good nurse and support you, use them as a reference! This, too shall pass. And the next job you get might be the one you always wanted! When one door closes, another opens. JusT make sure you arelooking for it and not staring at the one that closed . I think you need to find an eloquent way to explain away why you were let go. It sounds like politics, you got on the bad side of the wrong person. Most in the nursing world have done that or seen it happen.

[Seas]

So you didn't do ANYTHING at all to deserve any of this? Why don't you get a lawyer and sue then?

[RNHURT]

hospital is business these days and management makes the ultimate decision. There are so many ways to get to a nurse if somebody really wants you out of the facility. Don't be upset, you are not the first one. its intimidating tactics to throw somebody out when they cannot do it otherwise. Micromanaging is start of gathering evidence against you.

Don't worry, start looking for new jobs and explain the prospective employer your viewpoint. As some employers are quick in firing, some employers are quick in hiring when they have a need for floor nurses. Use your supportive coworkers for reference.

It will be alright. Stay Strong :)