Honesty is NOT the best policy...

Published

Specializes in tele,med/surg.

This is just a rant....but you tell a prospective employer you were terminated to be HONEST and trustworthy to them....and then it BACKFIRES like microwaving a dead frozen rat for your pet snake......

I basically have to do a whole brand new career because no hospital will take me.... Will nursing EVER improve? All these characteristics about being empathetic, caring, devotion, commitment, helping other etc etc ALL BS. Because if your not that $paying$ customer, not patient, CUSTOMER, (who mind you has all the power to make or break your facility's reimbursement through HCAPS or your job security) you mean nothing.

Pfff....I am just real ticked off... thats all.............:banghead:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Facilities have the luxury of choosing from many applicants. Hiring a nurse that has been terminated is viewed as "risky"

Care to share the reason for your termination?

Have you tried finding employment with staffing agencies? Many will put you to work and you would be able to prove yourself valuable to the facility.

Feeling your pain, maybe finding another field is what this is meant to be.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Room, Trauma ICU.

Many many many nurses who have been fired have gone on to have great nursing careers. In an interview you just have to pick and choose your words very carefully. I'm sorry you're dealing with this but don't give up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

I've been fired more than once as a nurse.

I tell my prospective employer the nature of the separation and provide details if necessary.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Go ahead and rant - you deserve it! We're listening.

I've been fired twice. In retrospect, each of those changes led to something better, career-wise, for me. As a hiring manager, I can assure you that it doesn't have to be a career-ender. Dust of that resume, line up your support network of good references and get back out there after you've had some time to re-group.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in tele,med/surg.

Would you hire me?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hospitals are not as cool as they seem. There are other nursing venues that maybe you would like to think about. And I would not use the word "terminate". You can be honest and clear regarding other issues, such as "the culture on the unit I was working was challenging to the point of affecting my nursing practice" or "I am looking for a team spirited atmoshphere to base my nursing skill on evidence based practice".

Think about your favorite parts of nursing. Then look to other venues--home health, hospice, mental health, urgent care....

Should you contine to look for hospital positions, know their mission statement, use key words such as "evidence based practice" and "meaningful use" (

You don't need to deny that you lost your job, however, you don't need to say "terminate" either. Spin doctoring should be part of every nurse's skill set. Which stinks, but I think you will find that in the current culture of acute care nursing, this will bring you the farthest.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Would you hire me?

Why were you terminated?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in tele,med/surg.

I PM you

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

The problem is that you are in South Florida and maybe people don't get you. If you really want a job as an RN here a few places that will hire you without experience or a not so great work history:

Just about any hospital near the Canadian border( these are very nice gigs), Roy L Scheider Hosp St Thomas USVI and Juan Luis Hospital St Croix USVI, Cape Fear Valley in Fayetteville NC, any hospital in Las Vegas, El Paso TX, Civista in Leonardtown, Southern Md. All of these places are wicked tough places to work, the wages are low, no one stays there very long but they are hiring and may even be slightly better than south FL. The Bayada pediatric home health program is always looking for peds trach nurses and they provide training. Genesis rehab, really ridiculous ratios, low standards, but they're hiring. Now you only have to suffer for a year without being confrontational, staying off the management radar and then you will be employable and you can look into travel nursing. That's if you can relocate. Bring running shoes and . If any of these locations appeal to your sense of adventure write to me for more info.

You are intelligent and totally hilarious. Keep writing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in tele,med/surg.

Thanks for the tips and compliment. I have been told I am very intelligent and funny. You want another good laugh? Check out my other post, search in allnurses search bar: The IDEAL cover letter and Resume

I actually sent that one in at some hospital in a far away state to see if I can get a response. It is just harmless fun, lets see what happens. It could work for all I know, hoping the HR reading it has a sense of humor. :) I will PM you, I do have more questions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You have to keep a open mind ....when one door closes a better one will open....that's of course if you wasn't taking hours of break time or dam near killed someone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion