Fired two times and unable to get job now

[Newstartat50]

I am having a hard time getting another job. I have been a nurse for twenty years and have work in many areas. I have been fired twice - first for charting problems and second one for absences. My last job was in labor and delivery and nursery where my first love in nursing has always been there. I have had problems with absences during the two years that I was employed because of personal sickness, family sickness, and personal problems in marriage. I was counseled several times and written up and was given 90 days each time not to have any absences. I did better during those times but then I would get in trouble again. The final write up was given and nurse manager told me that I would be dismissed if I called in sick again. I called in on Dec 19th 2017 and I was sick with sinus infection. I came back to work after another day off. I was nervous during the morning but I really thought that I still had a job and nurse manager would not fire me but was just trying to scare me when I got write up. I was taken to her office and fired. I had to get all the stuff from my locker and was escorted to door. I was so upset and in shock. I used by retirement money to live on the next year. I was also going to school online getting bachelors and then masters and just used my time for that. I applied to jobs every so often and did not get any offers. I just thought no problem I will get job some other time and not to worry. Here it is January 2019 and I am running out of money. I have been applying like crazy and have gotten many interviews but no job. I am so scared now and just do not know what to do for money. I am having many fights with husband about just getting a job that is not nursing but it will not pay all the credit card bills and other bills.

I need advise to help get back on the road to working. Thanks

[PhyllisMSN, MSN, RN]

Unfortunately, hospitals don't have much sympathy for nurses who are sick, or who are having personal problems. I would try agency work until you can get your self together with your personal problems and your health. This way you can have more flexibility.

Good wishes to you

[christiejeanbean]

It might be worth the hit to your ego to take a job that pays less outside of the field of nursing to give you a better reference. Maybe if you can impress a new employer and show that your absenteeism is behind you, you can be honest during interviews and say that you have turned over a new leaf. Jobs that pay $10/hour are better than no job at all.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

"I have been applying like crazy and have gotten many interviews ". Your main problem is you don't interview well. Research that solution.

You also have been inactive for over a year. Highly undesirable to hospitals.

In the past, I was inactive for two years. Travel agencies do not want you, they want experience within the past year. I got my foot back in the door with agency work. Check out the Agency nurse forum here on AN. There are hundreds of agencies that want to put you to work. They get paid big bucks when you work. Select carefully... join two or three and accept assignments where you are the most comfortable.

Best wishes.

[Newstartat50]

On 2/14/2019 at 8:26 PM, KatieMI said:

If you have clear license and some temerity, try agencies and/or travel. In many cases everything you need is unincumbrent license and breathing/circulation in your body. It will be hard work but you can be master of your schedule, above local politicking and paid higher. And if facility uses travelers, it means they will overstep A LOT of stuff in order to get some help.

What is your Master's in?

Care coordination. Thanks for responding