fired after 25yrs of service, where to go from here

trixie333, ASN · Oct 27, 2009

So sorry for your job loss.....try to think positive....words that have helped me in the past: When one door shuts, God will open a window..."

I received a general bulletin today that traveling ER nurses are needed in Escondido, Riverside, Northridge, and Bakersfield.....don't know the specific hospitals, but maybe you can figure it out....anyway, the reasoning is, hiring on as staff that needs training may be a better $ deal for the hospital, than hiring temporary help....good luck in your job search, again, think positive...a lot of your experience will translate well to a high percentage of ER patients (most are not critical) and the the critical care stuff you need to learn will be fun....

wishinguponastarLPN · Oct 27, 2009

Why were you required to show documentation of your divorce?? What does that have to do with your job? Sorry, I am confused.

mindlor · Oct 27, 2009

All I can think of is that you kept your ex husband on your insurance policy and this made them angry?

If that is not the case, your very next phone call should be too a lawyer.

Age Discrimination.

lunglover · Oct 27, 2009

I don't understand what your getting a divorce and failing to mention it has to do with your being fired. Unless your husband also works for the same company? Please explain.

montanadreamer · Oct 27, 2009

to explain they required the documents to prove was divorce to remove from benefits. Attempted to remove on lin for open enrollment in 2006 but due to some personal issues kept forgetting to fax paperwork. even offered to pay premium they said no. atty working on case.

Waiting for that door to open and would like to be able to do some sort of registry but again my last hosp exp was over 20 yrs ago and they want more recent exp. Did home health which to me is hospital work in the hme, fired 8/19 and feel like losing knowledge and exp as time goes by.

Again if anyone knows of any refresher courses happing soon would love to know about it.

Nice to hear from people who understand the frustrations and successes of nursing.

thank you

Lacie, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2009

I'm in the same boat with job hunting. I recently left a chronic outpt dialysis unit as the DON/Clinical Manager and cant get a job for the same excuse "Want recent in-hospital experience". Considering I've only been out of hospital for 3 years. Real pain in the you know what. I have 28 years experience mostly in critical care/Trauma before I went to dialysis. I'm surprised at how many places dont have a clue what a dialysis nurse does. I even had one tell me "I know better you dont do venipunture or use needles in dialysis" - OMG!! If anything I do more sticks then I ever did in hospital. Not to mention the crashes, chf management and so on. Hang in there! Also go ahead and file for unemployment. If denied appeal it. Doesnt cost you a thing to apply and doesnt cost a thing to appeal if denied. My Doctor took me off work for 3 days 2 weeks prior to my resignation date (I had given 30 days notice). The administrator told me "no sense in being off and coming back for only 2 weeks" yet had hired the new manager who started the next day. I filed unemployment as that's 2 weeks work lost. I got it!! So at least it will hold me alittle until I find something. Also check to see if any dialysis units in your area most will train. Hard work and it's a love it or hate it job but it's work. I really didnt have a choice medically to continue in it as my body couldnt handle the long non stop hours without a break after 3 knee surgeries. Good luck and dont give up.:loveya:

StNeotser, ASN, RN · Oct 27, 2009

Sorry I don't have any good advice to give, but I am terribly sorry to hear your situation.

Keep trying and trying to send the very best karma your way. :)

Jokerhill · Oct 27, 2009

It sounds like there is more to both of your stories than you are telling here. Not to attack you but to try to explain what they may be seeing. I see the Dr, took you off work and 3 knee surgeries, and that you could not handle the long non stop hours. In the hospital there often are long non stop hours, you are on your feet most of the 12 hours not 8 hours like in a clinic, and the cost for your previous medical issues to their insurance are all considered. Not to mention that you have 20+ years of experience which is at the top of the pay scale and they can hire 2 new grads for the same cost as it is to hire you.

Some advice here is not to come in with this story for an interview, I would never hire you. What I am looking for is someone who has experience I can use and wants to be here. In your case I would want to here things like I always wanted to work in ______ (what ever area it is you want a job in), but life and kids made me make sacrifices in the past and I am now free to follow my heart and do what I have always wanted to do. You then need to tell me that you know you will be learning in a new unfamiliar area and that you understand that it cost money to train you, as well as how you know you can not expect the wages you were receiving in your previous field because you don't have the experience needed in this field. The next thing I want to here is how long you are going to stay in my unit, tell me something like, I have spent 20 years making a life for my family and now I want to spend the next 20 years really doing what I like and always have dreamed of doing. Then tell me how much your experience can help my unit. Then if you have to explain your medical issues further it should not focus on the problem, but what you have done about it, your rehabilitation, and what you can do now, not your limitations. If all this does not come from the heart that is sad because after 20 years you should now be able to do what you love. You spend most of your waking life at work and you should be happy there (did I mention that I like to go to work and will probable never fully retire, although I can in 6 years).

Now, as for refresher courses the first one I would recommend is a class on interviewing skills. :twocents:

rmkelly · Oct 27, 2009

I am a nusre with 38years experience fired after 25 years service at last facility.in 2002, developed a cardiomyopathy following a nasty bout of flu (get your flu shop!)Had two stents RCA, and my ejection fraction improved. However the meds I take are as debilitating as the heart failure.Then,in 2007, I had a stroke which left me with some mild, but problematic deficits. In 2008, the facility moved o a new, much larger facility and expectations changed quickly and dramatically. I found myself unable to fulfill some elements of my job (house supervision)at the old place, rounds were required once a day along with prn visits. This increased to 3 times a day, plus an increase in scope. Iwas unable to complete rounds more than twice, and understandingly was reprimanded. I told my boss about my medical hx and explained my deficits: extreme fatigue (from high dose beta-blockers)weakness and pain in left leg, SOB, also difficulty with frequent urintion from Demadex. Her response:your co-workers don't have problems getting it done. Reprimands became frequent and my explantion repeated time and again. Finally- fired. It has been very difficult. Looking for work is harder than work. I have been bitter, bitter, bitter. But some kind co-workers have helped me in that respect. I'm taking a couple certification courses in hopes of changing my luck. Thanks for listening and best of luck!!

Lacie, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2009

It sounds like there is more to both of your stories than you are telling here. Not to attack you but to try to explain what they may be seeing. I see the Dr, took you off work and 3 knee surgeries, and that you could not handle the long non stop hours. In the hospital there often are long non stop hours, you are on your feet most of the 12 hours not 8 hours like in a clinic, and the cost for your previous medical issues to their insurance are all considered. Not to mention that you have 20+ years of experience which is at the top of the pay scale and they can hire 2 new grads for the same cost as it is to hire you.
Some advice here is not to come in with this story for an interview, I would never hire you. What I am looking for is someone who has experience I can use and wants to be here. In your case I would want to here things like I always wanted to work in ______ (what ever area it is you want a job in), but life and kids made me make sacrifices in the past and I am now free to follow my heart and do what I have always wanted to do. You then need to tell me that you know you will be learning in a new unfamiliar area and that you understand that it cost money to train you, as well as how you know you can not expect the wages you were receiving in your previous field because you don't have the experience needed in this field. The next thing I want to here is how long you are going to stay in my unit, tell me something like, I have spent 20 years making a life for my family and now I want to spend the next 20 years really doing what I like and always have dreamed of doing. Then tell me how much your experience can help my unit. Then if you have to explain your medical issues further it should not focus on the problem, but what you have done about it, your rehabilitation, and what you can do now, not your limitations. If all this does not come from the heart that is sad because after 20 years you should now be able to do what you love. You spend most of your waking life at work and you should be happy there (did I mention that I like to go to work and will probable never fully retire, although I can in 6 years).
Now, as for refresher courses the first one I would recommend is a class on interviewing skills.

There isnt more to My story. Obviously like many you are not familar with outpt dialysis which is much more hours then an 8 hour clinic. I was not only the DON I was working 5-6 day weeks 14-16 hour days. Ask anyone in outpt dialysis specialties. Also as the only RN on the floor and doing managerial after patients gone at the end of that 14 hour day. Being the only RN NO BREAKS. 2 PCTs, I had not missed not one day of work in 3 years so that was not an issue. Also insurance wise - well it's a service connected issue therefore would not be utilizing my employee supplemented insurance VA covers this issue 100%. My condition didnt affect my job but did affect me. My days off I couldnt move and end of day I would be in pain once I stopped for the day to the point of tears. I gave resignation and it was the first time I had ever asked for Sick days with this employer. In fact my employer initially refused my resignation but I didnt bend. They were too cheap to replace the per-diem RN that covered so I could at least have 2 days off a week. When does a DON work on the floor as the only RN on a daily basis? In this case this is what was happening. I for one chose not to continue being abused because I was a "dedicated nurse and employee". Also salary and working 60hour weeks dont get it. She hired a new manager to take my place prior to my resignation date is basically what it was therefore cheaper to not pay me to finish out the 2 weeks or pay 3 days sick pay. (I had over 240hrs sick time accumalated). Dialysis is far from your everyday norm of 8 hour clinics. You are there until the last pt leaves even if they were 2 hours late arriving. You dont cancel you dialyze. Common behavior with many pts especially public transport. I'm sure there are a few dialysis nurses on this forum that can clarify my feelings and statements. My resume reflects extensive CC experience and a former CCRN (lapsed when I left CC the last 3 years). I dont express my knee issue to potential employer. Working ER/Trauma was much less on my feet than dialysis to be honest and took much less abuse there also by not only administration but pts also. I emphasize with the original poster as I have a broad knowledge base and have much to give. Employers dont want to put the $ out now to retrain basics on even a small level. I can still read an EKG, run a code, ACLS certified, etc. I'm also certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Rehab. It doesnt come up in interviews as we cant get the interviews because of being away from the bedside for 3 years. Employers want 1 year recent experience within the last 2 years now which knocked me out of the running. The new manager hired in my place of which the admin had to go through an agency due to the reputation of the company has already resigned as they wouldnt hire another RN and she was working the floor daily also. The DON from the sister clinic 2 hours away is covering but they sure got an agency RN to come in to cover so she doesnt have to be on the floor 6 days aweek (admin and other DON close friends) go figure. I made the best choice for me and also dont regret it.

Another suggestion for the poster is someone recently provided me info for an expert witness needed in a medical liability issue another poster on allnurses really helped me with this referral). Search and get yourself on a data base as they are far and few inbetween but at $150.00/hr for case review you cant beat it. With significant better $ if you have to testify. I'm sure you have much experience to be able to be utilized in such instances. I recently acquired a case and looking forward to resuming this line of nursing for the extra $. I've done this in the past and loved it. With your background expert witness may be an additional avenue for you.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Oct 27, 2009

sorry to hear about your situation. I agree that it is important to concentrate on what you CAN do, not what you can't. People don't want excuses. Why would I hire someone who can only do 75% of the job? What would I do about the other 25% that still needs to get done?

Call the Board to see if they have any recommendations regarding refresher courses. The ones I have heard about are in the Houston area but available online. I would not spend that kind of money without a job. Rather, I would offer to work for less pay then re-negotiate after completion of course. That would show mgr that you are willing to work and can set goals.