Getting a job after being fired

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Oct 4, 2013

Hopefully you called and cancelled the interview vs just not showing up. Try to apply to all kinds of jobs: hospice, ALF, LTC, LTAC, home health, dialysis, etc.

bluegeegoo2, LPN · Oct 4, 2013

Most facilities do not have ads up for jobs unless they're desperate. They don't like to appear understaffed. (In LTC, anyway.) Nearly all of the jobs I have gotten have been via walk-in, and those places were not advertising for help. Also, it's good to have an app in even if they're not currently hiring. In my facility we do not have an available position per se, but there are a couple of nurses who need to be replaced and we're pulling apps to prepare to hire for that purpose. I would also advise you be honest about being fired. No need to go into detail about it, unless they push for more info. Follow the revelation of being termed with what lesson you learned and why it won't happen again and move on. Best of luck.

lpn954 · Oct 4, 2013

Yeah, I am torn. Good point bluegeogoo2; I had a place that was interested before and said that they did not think the reason I got fired was a big deal. I'm just nervous that many places will dismiss me right off the bat without even getting to know me first. It is easy to do that when these apps always ask why you dont work at the job anymore, and some ask point blank have you ever been terminated. So my guess is that most of the time they see that and dismiss me and move on to the next person, especially since the market here in SO FLA has become saturated with LPN's. There are more nurses LPN especially looking for jobs, and not nearly as many postings as there used to be.

Also I did at least email the person to thank them for the oppritunity and told them I was not coming in. I do need work, so will be pounding the pavement the old fashioned way very soon if no luck. Its really how I got my first nursing job at a hospital.

bluegeegoo2, LPN · Oct 4, 2013

I usually try to get an on-the-spot interview, that way I'm able to explain issues with my app. (Early in my career, I admittedly job-hopped quite a bit and had several short term jobs). I try to go between 2pm and 4pm d/t morning meetings. I've enjoyed a fair amount of success with that method.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 5, 2013

I've learned it's extremely difficult to get a job, especially after having been fired, by applying online through a facility's HR department, as most applications are done nowadays.

They screen applicants this way so that they can weed out everyone who's had a problematic job history, gaps in employment, child care/health issues etc. Sometimes they even make the applicant take a personality test of some kind, and that also filters out a lot of potentially good workers who merely have a few quirks. So, your best bet is to apply in person and try to land an interview at the same time (be prepared with your resume!).

For some reason, I've gotten most of my non-management jobs by going in early on a Friday afternoon, putting in the app with my resume and talking to the DNS.....who usually told me to come in Monday for paperwork and orientation. :yes:

FWIW---it IS tough out there, and it's worse when you're old like me and very limited as to what types of nursing work you can do, PLUS having been fired. But it's possible!

NamasteN · Oct 8, 2013

No one has to know you were fired, in NY at least they cannot give information except date of hire and date you left. It's called a "neutral reference" and is law in most states. Also, nurses move around a lot. Just say the past job 'wasn't a good fit' and that's it.

lpn954 · Oct 8, 2013

Thanks all for your input and advice! Good point also NamasteN I think that is the way to go as I was told by HR that is what they would say also. It a direct supervisor who they most of the time need to speak to though and I think she not admit to fire me. I will keep it simple when I tell others what happened.

NurseQT · Oct 12, 2013

I feel your pain.. I too was fired from my job about a month ago... I worked 5 years in that facility and 10 years for the company! I have never been fired, let go, or laid off from a job before and am still kind of shell shocked by it! It was not a secret that they did not want LPNs scheduled fulltime on the day shift and I was the last one that had a fulltime position on days. They never did give me a straight answer as to why I was being terminated and surprise surprise they had my position filled, with in RN in less than 5 days...

Anyways, up here in Wisconsin LPN positions are very hard to come by... There has only been two positions in my area that were full time, applied to both and never even got a call back for an interview!

Sailnskinurse · Oct 13, 2013

I like your strategy! How do you find paper applications? All the positions I find require an online application.

lpn954 · Oct 16, 2013

@ JoAnna78, I feel you. It is a struggle enough without being fired. Have you tried agencies? There are a billion HH agencies at least down here. I had one that told me to take my references with me and have them faxed back to them, or I could turn them in myself. I had never heard of that. Weird. Anyways, they gave me a case but I was upset I could not take it because I HAD to do it all 7 days 2 X a day, which would have been fine with me but my school class schedule does not allow for that Good luck! I am still looking. Some of these agencies here are not the most concerned with references, may be my best chance.

lpn954 · Oct 16, 2013

A lot of agencies I have been to in person have the old fashioned paper applications. I am resorting to pounding the pavement the old-fashioned way. I has worked in my past. I think so many of these companies hiring online get a billion applications, so your chances are very slim. Its like a dime a dozen. I will check all my local SNF, nursing homes, HH agencies. Down here anyway they have always had a paper app to fill out.