Got terminated from first job cant find new one, still a newgrad

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 5, 2009

What is the general job market in your area?

In many places of the country, hospitals are simply not hiring many people right now. If that's the case in your area, you need to accept the fact that the jobs you want are simply not a realistic possibility right now. You may need to start developing alternative plans.

Can you move to where nursing jobs are plentiful? Have you truly applied to every type of facility in your area? Are you putting any restrictions at all on what hours you will work or what type of patient population? etc. etc.

You may have to find a non-nursing job to support yourself for a while until the RN job market improves. If that happens, you should look into ways of doing some health care work -- even if its only volunteer work -- to keep yourself involvd in the health care system in any capacity. Then, depending on how long you will have to "wait it out" before the job market improves, you may have to take a refresher course.

I know that is not what you wanted to hear -- and perhaps the employment situation is not all that bad in your area. If you can get an RN job in your home town now, that's great. But I am fairly certain that there will be many RN's in some parts of the country who will have to settle for other types of work for a while until the economy improves. Sometimes, you just have to do what you have to do to survive.

Be prepared to be as flexible as humanly possible. Look everywhere. Start developing "Plan B," "Plan C," and even "Plan D."

xariel · Mar 5, 2009

I really feel for you. I also got fired from my first nursing position, last year... Not all of this will apply to you, but this is what I did:

1) cry. I did a lot of that, and it helped me move on from the loss/shame/grief feelings of being fired, especially from a first job.

2) apply to every RN position within 50 miles. I did this 14 hours a day, six days a week. I didn't limit it to "new grad" positions, I applied to everything. I eventually got rehired to a regular position where they were willing to give me extra orientation due to me being a new grad.

3) memorize some good responses to "why did your last job end?" that I could use in interviews, so I wouldn't freeze up.

4) cut expenses as far as possible. I only ate food in that I had in the cupboard. I didn't buy any new clothes, or actually anything at all- if I needed something, I could usually "borrow" from a friend and either return it or promise to pay them back later when I had a job. I didn't even drive my car unless I absolutely couldn't help it. That let me look for jobs a little longer before going into "panic" mode.

Is there any way you could move to another area? Do you have family somewhere that you could stay with until you find something? This recession won't last forever, and things will work out in the end. Hugs until then.

belle1963 · Mar 6, 2009

Hi there,

So that was the conclusion of the unsterile technique to let you go. Did your employer offer any other positions within the hospital or any additional training? I am so very sorry. Best to you.

morte, LPN, LVN · Mar 6, 2009

did you apply for unemplyement?

elprup, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2009

I got fired today as well. I graduated May 08 with my BSN, with no previous nursing/medical experience and passed NCLEX with 75 questions, been orientating on rural medsurg unit for the last 3 months and got fired today. They cannot justify keeping me any longer, Pharm has written many QR's on me (when I asked for info/copies/which pt, they could not tell me), also because I cannot keep everything in my head (ex they gave "I should be able to remember all of my assessments, meds, dr's orders, for 5 pts off the top of my head - not by looking at my notes), and I cannot give report correctly (which I have been trying to adapt to...everybody seems to want it differently...tonight I even took in a new pt sheet that I made to make sure I got all the info anybody would ask for-which I pulled off of allnurses.), and I cannot creatively think.

No, they did not have a new grad "orientation" program. I was only one of a handful of new grads that have come through in the past decade. My first month was crazy. Then I had a steady, wonderful preceptor who stated I was doing good. My previous eval stated I needed to pull everything together (the creative thinking part), which I did reading every night from my patho books, etc.

just last week I was put on nights, and felt overwhelmed trying to learn the flow from a new preceptor and now fired.

I've read several posts about this, (one of my faults is that I research everything)....and i'll be out there looking for a new position. Just not sure if I want to stay in this rural area or move back to the big city? At least I have time to figure it out. Yes, i'll do unemployment soon. Thanks for the reminder.

At least I know I gave great pt care. My patients always expressed how great I was to them and asked if i'd be back the following day. And I definitely learned alot.

Thanks for the vent. I'm not crying anymore.

KeepingItRealEeyore · May 11, 2009

Hello to all,

I can relate to this topic because it has happened to me. I've posted my story in other threads as well, but hear is a quick run through. i graduate May '08, took boards and passed in July and started working mid August. I was fired the first week in Nov. It is to the point I have gone through all the stages of Kubler-Ross's model for grief. I have been job hunting since I was terminated. I have listed the job on my resume and when I apply to job, when asked reason for leaving employer, I state "terminated."

I don't feel the reason to hide it, because i have nothing to hide. It is just to the point, no sugar coating. I just hope places are not turning me down because the just assume a negative conotation with the word terminated. I have been wondering what else or how can I word my reasoning for leaving my previous employer. I was wondering if i should just start stating "terminated, but would like to discuss futher at interview." any advice you guys can provide on this topic will be greatly appreciated.

It is to the point I feel like I have exhausted all possibilities of jobs in the state where I am currently licensed to the point I am looking to obtain a nursing license in a neighboring state to gain more opportunities. I will just have to suck up the long commute if I find a job.

I wanted a job on a good med -surg floor because I wanted to hone in my all my skills I had obtained from nursing school. my first job was on a med/tele floor, not what I was expecting, but the expereince I gained I will take with me. somedays when I was working the only image in my head was me as a cartoon character passing out from exhaustion and being carried out on a strecher and I had cartoon x's over my eyes.

Being an RN vs a student nurse is a totally different animal.

It is frustrating not having a job ,but seeing advertisments for nursing schools and places screaming nursing shortage, is a slap in the face.

Once you have time to reflect on the situation it does get a bit easier.

Hang in there and keep trying.

I tell myself, "i'm not the first new nurse to be fired and I'm not the last, and everyone was new at one point in their nursing career."

WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN · May 16, 2009

I can also relate. I graduated May '08, passed boards in Oct '08 with 75 Q's in record time IMHO (but that's another story). The week before my NCLEX I was terminated from an RNA (RN Applicant) position after only 4 weeks or exactly 128 working hours. I wasn't learning fast enough and my critical thinking skills needed work, I kept needing to be reminded of the same thing over and over.

I learned I needed to let my preceptor know that my learning style is to keep asking the same question over and over until I KNOW I got it, not when he/she thinks I should. Since I was working in a totally unfamilar area (NICU), my previous experience as an LPN was actually more of a hindrence than a help IMO. It took me 4 months after this and several hundred applications to at least 11 states and the District of Columbia to finally get a job offer in NC. And I was starting to fear my graduation date was too old as well, since when I was terminated I was already competing with Dec '08 grads for jobs and it only got worse. But....KEEP PLUGGING AWAY. Go to the career advice forum. Have someone you trust, even a former instructor, look at your resume. Heck, ask someone on the career forum site to look at it, I did. Re-write several times if you have too. I had over 14 revisions over the course of my job search. Apply to everything, even if it doesn't say "graduate nurse" or "new grads welcome to apply".

Hope this helps.

1jjacqueli · Jun 2, 2009

Hi Wildcat-

I'm sorry that happened, I can relate somewhat. (I was terminated/laid off for the first time in my life-it takes a while to shake it off!)

I believe that for some of us (including myself) getting fired is just short of emotional trauma.

Is it possible you may be "carrying" that around with you still? (I did for a long time, but I know I am good at what I do, much in part because I do care and I am still teachable/cooperative. With faith, I got over it.)

I do have an idea, though it's not for everyone: HOSPICE. I work in hospice (4 years, now) and EVERY SINGLE HOSPICE in the D/FW area is doing everything possible to hire RN's and LVN's/LPN's! Have you looked into this possibility? It's one of those specialties; one either loves it or hates it-

I wish you the best!

KeepingItRealEeyore · Jun 30, 2009

I feel like there is something wrong with me. I still job hunting and so far nothing. I got two rejections from hospitals I had applied to. One was via a letter and the other email. What is funny, but then again not really is both said the same thing. "Thank you for your interest (insert Hospital name). Although your creditials are impressive, you are not selected for interview at this time. Best wishes in your job search."

What a slap in the face. "my credentials are impressive." To bad I can't take "Best wishes in your job search " to the bank.

amazing how many hrs I put into job hunting, one would say that it is a full time job. to bad I can't get paid for those hrs. In my area nursing homes want people that have supervisor expereince. A skill i don't possess.

I called another place to see what was the status of my application. I was surprised when I got a message telling me that "curently they are in a holding pattern and that they did recieve my application." Pretty much you people are in a hiring freeze. Plain and simple.

I feel like I am wasting my time. I am currently looking into volunteer opportunities where me being a nurse might be beneficial. I sent my resume and cover letter out to one organization. I guess I shouldn't even hold my breath. My RN license renewal is coming up. Sent in my renewal fee and all. amazingly how on the back of the form they ask if you are working in in your currently licensened profession. It was devasting to check "no". Hopefully this will not interfere with my license being renewed, the state DPH already cashed the check. Hopefully that means they will be renewing it and sending me my license when it is time.

I am beyond my wits end to the point I don't even know how to describe where I am at.

morte, LPN, LVN · Jun 30, 2009

I feel like there is something wrong with me. I still job hunting and so far nothing. I got two rejections from hospitals I had applied to. One was via a letter and the other email. What is funny, but then again not really is both said the same thing. "Thank you for your interest (insert Hospital name). Although your creditials are impressive, you are not selected for interview at this time. Best wishes in your job search."
What a slap in the face. "my credentials are impressive." To bad I can't take "Best wishes in your job search " to the bank.
amazing how many hrs I put into job hunting, one would say that it is a full time job. to bad I can't get paid for those hrs. In my area nursing homes want people that have supervisor expereince. A skill i don't possess.
I called another place to see what was the status of my application. I was surprised when I got a message telling me that "curently they are in a holding pattern and that they did recieve my application." Pretty much you people are in a hiring freeze. Plain and simple.
I feel like I am wasting my time. I am currently looking into volunteer opportunities where me being a nurse might be beneficial. I sent my resume and cover letter out to one organization. I guess I shouldn't even hold my breath. My RN license renewal is coming up. Sent in my renewal fee and all. amazingly how on the back of the form they ask if you are working in in your currently licensened profession. It was devasting to check "no". Hopefully this will not interfere with my license being renewed, the state DPH already cashed the check. Hopefully that means they will be renewing it and sending me my license when it is time.
I am beyond my wits end to the point I don't even know how to describe where I am at.

r/t bold above.....do you have at least a year of work experience? have kids? either of these would indicate some supervisory ability.....see if you can get a part time position to begin....good luck

FromNH2VAwherenext · Jul 1, 2009

I feel like there is something wrong with me. I still job hunting and so far nothing. I got two rejections from hospitals I had applied to. One was via a letter and the other email. What is funny, but then again not really is both said the same thing. "Thank you for your interest (insert Hospital name). Although your creditials are impressive, you are not selected for interview at this time. Best wishes in your job search."
What a slap in the face. "my credentials are impressive." To bad I can't take "Best wishes in your job search " to the bank.
amazing how many hrs I put into job hunting, one would say that it is a full time job. to bad I can't get paid for those hrs. In my area nursing homes want people that have supervisor expereince. A skill i don't possess.
I called another place to see what was the status of my application. I was surprised when I got a message telling me that "curently they are in a holding pattern and that they did recieve my application." Pretty much you people are in a hiring freeze. Plain and simple.
I feel like I am wasting my time. I am currently looking into volunteer opportunities where me being a nurse might be beneficial. I sent my resume and cover letter out to one organization. I guess I shouldn't even hold my breath. My RN license renewal is coming up. Sent in my renewal fee and all. amazingly how on the back of the form they ask if you are working in in your currently licensened profession. It was devasting to check "no". Hopefully this will not interfere with my license being renewed, the state DPH already cashed the check. Hopefully that means they will be renewing it and sending me my license when it is time.
I am beyond my wits end to the point I don't even know how to describe where I am at.

e fai

Keep the faith! I finally got a job "back home" in NH. My first RN job only lasted 60 days (out in AZ). I FINALLY landed a job back here after actually getting denied (after a phone interview). Funny thing is, I accepted a part-time, temp position back doing secretarial work which I'd done before I went to nursing school full-time. Once I made some contacts, I got a job within 6 weeks. I'm now going to be attending a new grad residency program next week -- at thne same htospital hat I was originally turned down from! Go figure! I've also been volunteering in the health care field associated with the hospital; so it can't hurt! Networking is everything these days! PM me if you want.