got fired/got hired, but confidence shaken

Orange Tree · Feb 21, 2011

Getting fired was the worst thing that ever happened to me too- until I got arrested. At least there is no photographic "mug-shot" record of your reaction when you got fired. And if there is no picture to prove it happened, then it never did. Maybe that's goofy, but happy people see the world through rose-colored glasses.

I think I'm a bit delirious right now. Just ignore me. :nurse:

Ruby Vee, BSN · Feb 21, 2011

getting fired was the worst thing that ever happened to me too- until i got arrested. at least there is no photographic "mug-shot" record of your reaction when you got fired. and if there is no picture to prove it happened, then it never did. maybe that's goofy, but happy people see the world through rose-colored glasses.
i think i'm a bit delirious right now. just ignore me.

sounds like a story -- tell us!

merlee · Feb 21, 2011

What's done is done. Hold your head up, and concentrate on your new job. DON'T let everyone know what happened - just say it was time for a change.

Best wishes!!

2011NursingStudent · Feb 21, 2011

Getting fired from that place was probably one of the best things to ever happen to you if that's the type of employer they are.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Feb 21, 2011

Been there.

After reflecting on the experience, I have come to believe that everyone should be fired at least once because it completely re-defines the way you view all subsequent employer relations. There are no guarantees. The greater power always resides with the employer. It's only a job. I am not my job.

Getting fired actually made me more courageous. Whenever I am faced with a tough job-related decision, part of my thought process is always "is this important enough to be fired over?" If I can honestly answer "yes", then I can more easily go with my conscience... knowing that taking away my job is not the worst thing that can happen.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Feb 21, 2011

so, i'm going to throw this out there.
despite a spotless career and being well regarded in my field, i didn't read the signs of a manager who was targeting me + skittish hr and was fired. nothing to do with patient care or interpersonal skills, i was basically written up over not following policy. things that were not a big deal. instead of realizing a paper trail was being started i thought i was doing the grown up thing by taking responsibility for my actions, apologizing, and making sure i never did it again. unfortunately these admin things were so little/picky it was only a matter of time. i live in a right to work state so there is no protection or appeal. the experience of getting fired itself was quite traumatic. it was the whole 9 yards, get your stuff now and turn in your badge. especially because i didn't see it coming.
the happy ending is that i found a new job in my field after only a few days. i have a strong professional network. when i let others know what happened they were shocked and thought it was a gross overreaction. i did some stressing over how to explain it at interviews but literally no one cared. i start my new job very soon... although i don't recommend getting fired, i honestly feel it worked out for the best.
the whole turn around for this has been very fast. i'm an np so i'm brushing up on every guideline i can think of, but i realize i'm having a confidence issue. fear that i won't meet expectations or will be fired again. fear that i won't learn the new job fast enough to get up to speed.
has anyone gone through this? do you have any advice for me as i start anew?

i was fired every weekend years ago -- manager liked to get drunk and fire someone. then she'd be on the phone the next morning demanding to know why you weren't at work. the first few times i was fired, i thought i'd done something wrong and was grateful to have my job back. and then i got mad and got a different job.

if you've done a careful self examination of what went wrong and you're truly certain there was nothing more to it than someone targeting you, then you know to try to keep your head down next time. don't be a target. my husband is big, loud and social. he's also an extremely competent nurse. we were on a travel assignment where everyone loved him, and another where management targeted him and the only thing that kept him employed was the chronic staffing issues at the institution in question. he's happy in his (permanent) job now, and management loves him. but in his case, it truly is a case of knowing when you're in the bull's eye and moving on before the trigger is pulled.

if it's a case of violating the wrong policy or protocol at the wrong time and in front of the wrong person, brush up on your policies and protocols. i precept, so i've got most of the ones we use most often on my iphone. i can look them up and a moment's notice and show them to the orientee who persists that "rocco told me to do it this way, so this is the way i'm doing it" or "no one ever told me i had to put in a foley using sterile technique." or the orientee who simply wants to know the policy before doing it wrong. it might help you to do the same thing. that way, you'll always be following policy and if you get into trouble you just point at the policy.

if the biggest problem is in your confidence, know that getting fired is something that happens to many people sooner or later. it doesn't make them bad people or bad nurses or bad nps. perhaps all it means is that you weren't a good fit for this particular position. and isn't it nice to be out of there?

allnurses Guide · Feb 21, 2011

Well, I've been fired before, and for me it was far from being a surprise. It was pretty much a case of a quickly disintegrating relationship between myself and my employer, and I was either going to quit or get fired. I refused to quit because I didn't yet have another job lined up (I was not a nurse at the time, I was a graphic designer. It was hard enough to find the FIRST job, let alone another job).... so I got pulled into the boss's office and axed.

I can't say that the experience shaped my perspective in the way that you describe. :lol2:

Been there.
After reflecting on the experience, I have come to believe that everyone should be fired at least once because it completely re-defines the way you view all subsequent employer relations. There are no guarantees. The greater power always resides with the employer. It's only a job. I am not my job.
Getting fired actually made me more courageous. Whenever I am faced with a tough job-related decision, part of my thought process is always "is this important enough to be fired over?" If I can honestly answer "yes", then I can more easily go with my conscience... knowing that taking away my job is not the worst thing that can happen.

Nicole74 · Feb 21, 2011

Sometimes what you think is rejection is redirection. A blessing in disguise.

max66 · Feb 21, 2011

Thanks for sharing this experience. I was "fired" for not being a good match with the boss. It was recent and it is difficult enough to find a job with that hanging over a person! I know its tough for people and it's hard to stay positive after an experience like this. But I am glad things worked out for you.

Its hard not to let it effect your confidence even though there are times when people get fired for no fault of their own. There are crazy people in all professions!!!!

RN1980 · Feb 21, 2011

i work with a relatively new grad, almost a yr post nclex. her first job was in a local er spot. from all her co-workers there that i new claim that she was always on time, very helpful to staff and pts, always seemed to do her best and was making a honnest attempt to become competent in her job. well after about 2 mos. she got canned out of the blue. really dont know why some folks claim for a issue that should have been just a warning. however she is now in our er, and a changed person. no longer the happy go luckey girl that was always eager beaver attitude. now, she makes it clear that she will do just what is expected from her and will stay under the radar screen along with having so much contempt for managers and admin types. here is proof that getting fired is traumatic and will change your whole outlook on what you do.

caliotter3 · Feb 21, 2011

Who knows what could have happened had you not been told to leave? Look forward to a new adventure and see this as a chance to breathe some fresh air and enjoy a new job. And congratulations on getting hired after only a few days. Dwell on that good fortune if you want to dwell on something!