Getting Fired or Resign?

[trustsupplyguy]

I'm in the process of getting fired. My question is, do I stay and make them fire me, or do I resign and move on? I'm starting my second year as a RN. Financially I'm fine, and I'm not interested in fighting anything, I just want to minimize the damage to my future job possibilities.

Ideally, I'd like to hang on until I have another job, but I don't want to wait so long that I lose the option to resign. When do you know it's time to resign? Also, how do I present this situation going forward to future prospective employers?

I've already applied at one hospital, and from the feedback I've received I think I'm very close to being hired. I also have an application in at a temp agency.

I say I'm in the process of getting fired because my manager is building a case against me using errors and problems that others don't seem to be getting in trouble for, and there is little recognition of the efforts I've made to improve. I feel the die has already been cast. My biggest fear is how this whole thing will look to future employers.

I'm especially interested in feedback from nurses who have been through similar situations. Thanks in advance!

[Trax]

It is always better to offer a resignation rather than allow oneself to get fired. But, I think you already know that. Best to give a written resignation for a date that meets the policy of adequate notice (anywhere from 2 weeks to one month, depending on the policy for your place). This way, you will be able to get a good reference from HR and not be made a 'do not rehire,' which could hurt chances for obtaining another job.

loricatus, if you resign, can HR list you as a 'do not rehire'? I'm only asking because I was offered to resign which I accepted but HR gave me a paper with my name on it that stated 'do not rehire' so this confuses me. Can anyone answer this. Thanks in advance.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

loricatus, if you resign, can HR list you as a 'do not rehire'? I'm only asking because I was offered to resign which I accepted but HR gave me a paper with my name on it that stated 'do not rehire' so this confuses me. Can anyone answer this. Thanks in advance.

It sounds like it was resign or be fired. Some will offer the employee an out, with the condition that one doesn't reapply.

A call to HR will tell you what they will release.

My last place would only reveal Dates of service, last job title, salary confirmation, and whether termination was voluntary or involuntary.

[maryjiel]

dude, never get fired better resign. it would reflect your records

[Faceinthecrowd]

I know I am in the minority here, but I chose to be fired from my last job because I knew if I resigned, I would not qualify for unemployment benefits.

My termination had nothing to do with my job performance--but had everything to do with cash flow problems this organization was experiencing.

When I was first given a choice between resigning or accepting reduced hours, I chose the latter. I knew what they were up to, and wasn't buying into it. I did everything that was asked of me from the day I was hired to the day I was fired--and they tried to make it appear that my demise was of my own doing (which it wasn't). When I asked for supporting documentation, I was told to leave.

My unemployment claim was approved without delay or question.

[SonorityGenius]

I know I am in the minority here, but I chose to be fired from my last job because I knew if I resigned, I would not qualify for unemployment benefits.

My termination had nothing to do with my job performance--but had everything to do with cash flow problems this organization was experiencing.

When I was first given a choice between resigning or accepting reduced hours, I chose the latter. I knew what they were up to, and wasn't buying into it. I did everything that was asked of me from the day I was hired to the day I was fired--and they tried to make it appear that my demise was of my own doing (which it wasn't). When I asked for supporting documentation, I was told to leave.

My unemployment claim was approved without delay or question.

But for the OP who already might be hired elsewhere and can go couple weeks without unemployment benefits it really is in their best interest to just resign and not get fired. Termination gets reported on a background check in a negative way vs. even 1 day employment history.

[Faceinthecrowd]

I know. But that was not an option for me, as I had two elderly family members to support and no other available opportunities.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

OP -

Your update post was excellent. I towuld be very cool if you posted it in a separate thread appropriately titled to reach a broader audience.

I think a lot of people would benefit from your wisdom.

All the best!

[Trax]

MrChicagoRN, thank you for your response. I called HR and simply asked them what info. they give out and they do not give out info. on rehire status.

[behumanfirst]

trustsupplyguy, thanks for taking the time to write your advice.. i felt really good reading it. I lost my job in 2009. I relied on union to get my job back for 2 years ..which was a joke. after two years later my grievance was denied. My union was a joke and I will never trust a union. I have been deppressed for months with 2 children. i was pregnant when I got fired... the politics, the lies, the games the union played has torn me down completely but I have to move on and your advice is really appreciated!! keep up the good work. Be a good human (as you are) before being anything else..

[behumanfirst]

I wish i had a chance to read these threads;(( I lost the chance to resign because i did not listened to my instinct but a lawyer who just wanted to collect some cash from me. My life and my children's life has changed forever. I had my little one thinking that I was doing well in nursing (4yrs in med/surge). however, right after i got pregnant my career was in a turmoil because a manager wanted to cover up her mistake by firing me out. 4 months after my first warning (baseless accusation). I was called untrustworthy and dishonest. People who know me from my childhood knows that I am a very honest and trustworthy person. I do not care what a untrustworthy nurse manager had to say. She sworn on and started lying. I know she will have no self respect for herself as she knows she is a liar. Took away my sleep, my family's normal life, the bonding time of me and my baby. I wonder if god exist.. or if there is such thing called karma exist. if these things do exist i know she is in trouble.

I would say resign.. do not listen to lawyers.. listen to your gut feeling.

do not give hope.. if you know you are a good nurse.. do not leave nursing for the sake of the sick and old in those hospital beds.. they need good nurses like you..

[Fishyfish]

I'm glad this thread exists and I take so much comfort reading all the entries! Just resigned recently after meeting with my managers in a med-surg unit. I'm a new grad with less than a year's experience but I just had so much stress and low energy keeping up with everything to the point where they're planning on terminating me. I know I've gotten better, but just not enough (and not enough time to nibble some lunch). Part of me is happy to be free from those dreaded hungry days at work, and part of me is "*** did I get myself into...?" I'm currently on the jobhunt and most hospitals want that 1 year experience.