Haven't had my license a whole year and was "let go" from my first nursing job.

Sun0408, ASN, RN · Sep 17, 2012

I highly doubt your nursing career is over with this one fire. Many new nurses are let go and find their place in nursing. Don't give up.. This is something that happens and yes you can explain it or simply state it was not a good environment for you. Nursing can be brutal, facilities can and do let good nurses go for just about anything or nothing at all... Budget cuts, rocking the boat, simple errors; you name it but that does not mean you are down for the count..

When you apply for other jobs you do not have to list that place as a reference and you don't have go into details on the application. When asked for an interview you can go over it then but never speak bad about them. Wishing you luck in the future :)

nurselovespurple · Sep 17, 2012

I thought about leaving them out but then how would I explain a "gap" in employment. I've been encouraged to include them but lie you say, be honest about what happened but highlight the positive in what i learned except I'm afraid of both. I have to get over this really fast. So that I can focus on moving on... Thank you for your feedback.

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Flatlander · Sep 18, 2012

I completely understand what you are feeling because I went through this just 3 months ago. Maybe you will do better than I did. I was not able to "get over it really fast." I found myself going through a period of shock, followed by grief and all the pinball back and forth emotions that entails. Then, once my emotional state was relatively stable, I went through a period of self evaluation, seriously considering where I need to focus my job search efforts, what setting will be best at my level of nursing development, etc. I did this so as to avoid getting into a situation where I was unlikely to succeed. I believe a second event like that truly would be the end of my career. There has been a lot of learning and a fair amount of depression. I'm still struggling to see the positives, though I know they exist. I have had to get over my false pride and feelings of shame and embarrassment.

As for the applications and interviews, I feel you must include the position on your applications and resumes. You don't need to apologize for it because I'm sure you had some solid nursing experience, learned many skills and gained much nursing knowledge. In interviews you put the most positive spin on it you can. Tell someone you trust about your story and ask them to help you come up with some "scripts" for those interview questions about why you left your last job. You emphasize the good things anyone said about you during your six months (I'm sure you were praised for some aspects of your work and what you were able to bring to the unit!) You talk about how you will do things differently and about your dedication and determination to prove your mettle. Try to get some reference letters from people who know you and respect your work. Also the library has tons of great books on job searching, interviewing, etc, for motivation, inspiration, and how-to advice.

Get some CEU's under your belt, especially in areas that might have contributed to your supposed deficits.

And keep coming back to Allnurses. The support I've received here has been invaluable!

GrinchyRN · Sep 18, 2012

You do not have to list your former employer, though failure to do so is omitting on an application, and automatic reason for immediate expulsion.

Flatlander · Sep 18, 2012

More thoughts on interviewing: I think it's best to be honest about your termination. I think it shows maturity and self-respect. But you don't have to go into the gritty details. You can soften it. Explain how it helped you focus on improving your performance and what your action plan is to remedy any deficit areas (that you're keeping up with nursing knowledge, skills, meds, time management for nurses, CEU's etc.) Be brief, upbeat, enthusiastic, positive. You can control the interview. Keep returning to your strengths and let your personality shine. Have something interesting to say to each question (reheorifice if need be), so that they remember you as someone they'd enjoy seeing again and being around. (You know you have that in you! :nurse: )

If you've been called for an interview, that means you are in the top group of candidates. Be proud of that and appropriately grateful to your interviewer for giving you a chance to explain what you can offer!

It may be true that 90% of success is showing up, but the other 10% has alot to do with attitude! As others have said, "Keep your chin up!" :)

Oh, and I also went to the local state employment office and got some excellent interview advice from one of their employment specialists with alot of experience in teaching interview skills. He spent about a half hour with me going over my situation and how best to frame it in the interview. That was a great help! And free, too. (Our tax dollars at work.)

PalmHarborMom · Sep 18, 2012

The medical field is a small community, if you omit the fact that you worked at that hospital... it is bound to come and bite you. Unless you move somewhere else, you will run into doctors and nurses that you met at the previous job. If it comes to light that you omitted it, it will bring your character into question and your employer will wonder what else you are hiding. Being dishonest on an application is grounds for termination in every place I have ever worked. But, you can list it AND note that you can provide further info about why you left. It is advisable to get references from people that you worked with.

Providing that you were not let go for your actions resulting in harm to a patient, you should be able to move forward easily in your nursing career.

nurselovespurple · Sep 18, 2012

Well, I went on an interview this morning and was honest about my last job. They were surprisingly understanding. Anyway, they asked me to shed some light on what happened that led to my dismissal and I was very vague about it I remembered what I had read here on AN so I didn't want to get into too much detail but they asked me specific questions that led to my being pretty specific. It felt so horrible saying all I said and it even made me feel as if I was bad mouthing my previous employer but the next I know the interviewer tells me how happy she is I found them Nd says she's heard so much worse. She went on to say it was best it happened early on in my career then later. She was so understanding that it made me wonder why. Know what I mean?? Like what's going on here??this is too weird. But she took me around and introduced me to the team and administration. Once I met them, I felt the genuine welcome from everyone but I am still cautious because I felt the last place was the "perfect" place for me. I did tell them how I learned from my experience at the last place and am looking forward to implementing my plan of action there. They were so impressed. So to get to the point, I was offered the position. Geez, was i shocked!! Shocked because I expected this to be a "practice" interview, you know?? I am so very grateful and plan on making the best here. I'll keep you posted!! =)

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CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Sep 18, 2012

Go for it!

DutchRN09 · Sep 18, 2012

Congratulations! All things provide an opportunity to learn, and you did learn something, and a good thing came out of it.

Flatlander · Sep 18, 2012

Congratulations, Nurselovespurple! Way to go! I sincerely hope you are valued and appreciated in your new job. I'm sure you will give it your all. Best of luck and keep posting on the site!

Sun0408, ASN, RN · Sep 19, 2012

Congrats!!!!! The past is now behind you, learn from it but continue to move forward :)