Got fired today - page 4

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Well, tomorrow will be the first day in almost a decade that I will wake up and have nowhere that I need to be. I got kicked out to the curb today. Fired. Canned. Terminated. I've been busting my... Read More

  1. by patadney
    Dec 11, '02
    Occupation: rn in dialysis,hemo and cald Joined: Sep '01; Posts: 62
    Consider what you liked about LTC,then think about going into another area of nursing. Check with local hospitals and see what they need. Perhaps mental health or substance abuse centers would be an area you would like. They are more medically stable and involve less lifting,etc. Agency work is definately worth looking into as they pay well and you are not involved in poitics, plus you pick the schedule and the places that you will work. Most now offer insurance,etc. Good luck .
  2. by RN2B2005
    Dec 11, '02
    Occupation: Nursing student Joined: Nov '02; Posts: 389; Likes: 10
    I'm not a touchy-feely person, but....(((hug))). Being fired, even if it was expected, even if it was 'for the best', still is just about the most emotionally devastating thing ever. You have my prayers and all my good thoughts.
    :kiss
  3. by sjoe
    Dec 11, '02
    Occupation: Retired Specialty: 15 year(s) of experience in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg ; From: US ; Joined: Aug '02; Posts: 2,246; Likes: 48
    "I also would love to work as a lobbyist for elderly and LTC issues, but have absolutely no idea how to get started"

    Call up whatever agency deals with elder abuse in your area and arrange to take a couple of them to lunch/coffee.

    Do the same with a few people you find by calling or dropping by a couple of local LTC facilities.

    Get in touch with a local branch of the AARP (you can find them on the web) for further chats.

    If any of your local churches have parish nursing offices, stop in and see what they have to say.

    Talk with your local assemblyperson/state congressperson/US congressperson and see what they have to say about lobbying or other nursing/political opportunities.

    Network, in other words, in your local area to get a wider feel of the needs, wishes, and opportunities that exist for what you want to do, as well as meeting people who will know other people, or who have other ideas you may not have thought of, etc.

    Best wishes
  4. by sjoe
    Dec 11, '02
    Occupation: Retired Specialty: 15 year(s) of experience in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg ; From: US ; Joined: Aug '02; Posts: 2,246; Likes: 48
    rn2b2005 writes: "Being fired, even if it was expected, even if it was 'for the best', still is just about the most emotionally devastating thing ever."

    ONLY to the degree that you have your self-image and self-confidence tangled up in a particular job. NOT a good idea, regardless, IMHO.
    Last edit by sjoe on Dec 11, '02
  5. by cargal
    Dec 11, '02
    Occupation: RN Joined: Sep '00; Posts: 735; Likes: 3
    Originally posted by -jt
    How come we all just accept being treated like this? So evident in all the suggestions for how to heal herself. They're really good suggestions but how come nurses first reaction is to just take our lumps & go away quietly to lick our wounds?

    How come we dont say "hey wait a second....." when our rights are stepped on. Firing is one thing - BUT if her medical problem had anything to do with it, he was wrong & owes her her salary.

    And that check would come in very handy during her sabbatical.

    But why do nurses just meekly go away without making them pay?

    Agreed. That is the point I was trying to make when I was forced to leave a job d/t bullying and mobbing behavior. It is not "playing the victim". It is making those who have crossed the line legally accountable for their actions.
    Good luck. Their is a "nursing shortage". You will probably find a job that pays a lot more money, and soon.


    Blessings,
  6. by 2banurse
    Dec 11, '02
    Occupation: Full time student Joined: Nov '02; Posts: 758; Likes: 2
    Originally posted by mjlrn97
    YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!!


    I also would love to work as a lobbyist for elderly and LTC issues, but have absolutely no idea how to get started. Luckily I live within 25 miles of the state capital, and I may just look around up there sometime this week to see what I can find out.

    So, it's not all gloom and doom. And thanks to all of you, I think I'll be able to cut short my 48-hr. pity party.

    Love to all,
    Marla:kiss
    Marla, why don't you get in touch with Karen from the nurse/activist thread. She might have some ideas how you may get started in lobbying if that is what you like to do. I've seen her name a number of times on the BB.

    Being fired stinks, but at this time it may be the best for you. Take care of yourself! You know that you have many people that care about you and are wishing you the best.

    Kris :kiss
  7. by maggie7
    Dec 11, '02
    Occupation: rn charge, ltc, 11-7 shift Joined: Nov '02; Posts: 141; Likes: 4
    Sorry. I was also once fired from a LTC facility. Never fired from any other job in my life. At first, you feel it must be your fault, but then you realize it's an impossible job. I really wanted to leave the job anyway, but probably never would have. I wouldn't be an RN today if the factory I worked for hadn't closed. I just need that boot out the door. My next job was so much better and I was there for 4 1/2 yrs. until I moved. They treated me as a valuable employee. So, I know you'll find something your much happier with and what a great time to be off, during the holidays. Get that shopping, cleaning, wrapping and baking done. I'm betting there's a great weight been lifted. Enjoy the time off.
  8. by Youda
    Dec 11, '02
    Joined: Nov '00; Posts: 931; Likes: 18
    GOOD FOR YOU! WAY TO GO!

    You know you've hated that job, mjlrn97! You've been trying to do the impossible for a long time! You've been worried about patient care when this half-a$$ed LTC is worried about looking good for the state inspections! They wouldn't let you do your job because they always gripped about OT (and that's probably the REAL reason they canned you . . . you were costing them that extra 10-hours/week!)

    The only thing here is that they stepped on your ego a little! So WHAT? Are ya feeling a little annoyed? Well, call state on them and report everything you know about the place and maybe then you can get a little care for those poor residents! Let it be your last wave goodbye (with a certain finger more prominent than the others, if you understand what I mean)!

    You already know that you're a GREAT nurse! And, a wonderful person on top of it! Consider it a compliment that they fired you, because it was! Someone who is caring and trying to do their best despite all the crap they've thrown at you (I've read your other postings about this job), would never fit in. I'm amazed you lasted as long as you did! You've got more staying power than I would have had!

    God love ya, mjlrn97! Get past the bruised ego (and I know it's a blow, but see the situation for what it is -- a testament that a GOOD nurse could never make it there), and enjoy yourself for awhile! Take time to heal from the emotional damage they caused you, and swear to yourself that you'll never let anyone treat you like this again! You DESERVE better!

    The "good for you" part is because filing for unemployment costs them MONEY! ha ha ha!
  9. by sjoe
    Dec 11, '02
    Occupation: Retired Specialty: 15 year(s) of experience in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg ; From: US ; Joined: Aug '02; Posts: 2,246; Likes: 48
    Youda--wise words once again.
  10. by -jt
    Dec 11, '02
    Occupation: RN Joined: Oct '00; Posts: 2,662; Likes: 46
    They stepped on her ego and may have also violated a law and owe her the salary she is missing by no longer working there. You dont get unemployment checks if you were fired for 'just- cause', so if the unemployment board decides shes entitled to get unemployment checks, thats even more proof that she should not have been fired. And that gives her an even stronger case for getting back the rest of her salary. Id do all of what you suggest, look at the window opening, enjoy the time off, etc, but ALSO get a lawyer to go after the salary I still had coming from that place - while I went off to my new adventures. Yes youre a great nurse & this firing may be a blessing in disguise that you can use to your best advantage - but why should they get away with legal violations & not paying you what they owe? This may very well be a situation where you can have your cake & eat it too --- piece of mind, less stress, a new direction, PLUS the rest of your salary free & clear to cushion your new found time off.

    Good luck.
  11. by -jt
    Dec 11, '02
    Occupation: RN Joined: Oct '00; Posts: 2,662; Likes: 46
    <"I also would love to work as a lobbyist for elderly and LTC issues, but have absolutely no idea how to get started">

    Contact your state nurses association government relations/legislative dept. They are already lobbying for the issues youre interested in & would be able to direct you. There may even be something they are already involved in with those issues that you might be interested in helping with. The state nurses assocs also have professional lobbyists at the state capitol. Your state nurses assoc can put you in contact with yours & youll receive of wealth of information, direction, and advice on how to achieve your goal.

    Good luck.
  12. by VivaLasViejas
    Dec 11, '02
    Occupation: RN and blogger extraordinaire Specialty: 20 year(s) of experience in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych ; From: OR, US ; Joined: Sep '02; Posts: 26,953; Likes: 44,682
    Once again, thanks to all of you for your suggestions, and especially all the love & concern you've shown. You are truly friends in need, and friends indeed!:kiss

    I've already gotten past the worst of the hurt, and while it still stings the ego a bit, Youda was right---I've wanted out of that job for a long time, it's caused me nothing but grief and lost sleep. Sure the money was good (although I never got paid for all the OT I put in because I was a salaried employee), but it wasn't worth my sanity!!

    I hear all of you when you say it was a blessing. I've only been looking around for a job for 2 days, and have already run across two or three interesting positions I would never have known about if I weren't having to look. I'd really like to find a job right away so I don't worry so much about money while I take my involuntary sabbatical; I've decided that even if I were to find a job tomorrow, I'm not going to start until after the holidays. It's been 2 1/2 years since I've had more than 4 consecutive days off, and I do need this time to regroup and recharge the batteries for a new leap into life.

    Also---thanx for the excellent advice as to getting involved on a political level. I may very well explore the options available, even though I'd planned to go into it a little later down the road.

    God bless you all!
    Marla
    Last edit by VivaLasViejas on Dec 11, '02
  13. by abrenrn
    Dec 11, '02
    Joined: Oct '02; Posts: 228; Likes: 2
    Marla -

    I can't help myself, I always have to put my two cents in.

    jt is right, we do let them get away with it. I've let lots of places "get away" with the same thing - I've never even gotten unemployment. I do take a stand on what I insist upon, that I have always gotten. I worry about the price I will pay if I go to unemployment (yes, at least once, I resigned - but since it was impossible to do my job - I would have qualified). I chose not to, I wanted good references - which I get. I did threaten with unemployment to get what I insisted on - one more month of medical and reinstatement of vacation days that weren't.

    Yes, I know I'm wrong. But I can only fight so hard alone. So far, nursing does not come together enough so that we can support each other in our battles. We all fight the same battle, in our own way, alone.

    Occassionally I see hope. So far not enough for me to go off my sabbattical.

    I know how much I can afford. Alone I am quite limitted.

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