i lost my job this week. i put in almost 4 1/2 years and was let go in less than 15 minutes. i wasn't told why. i had another job that wanted me to interview and even had a unit that i was to manage...they called and cancelled their invitation to hire me the day after i was let go from the other place. i have never been in trouble before, don't do drugs, don't drink, hardly ever call in, haven't taken a vacation in 6 years and now this. i do know that i grieved a recent write up because i felt it wasn't accurate. so maybe that's why they let me go. i rocked the boat in my defense. what do i do now? no insurance, no income, no life. i have let my family down and myself as well. i don't know where to go from here. the work i did was all i knew. i was damn good at it and they let me go with no reason. it was so bad that my doctor's i work with were tearful and they keep calling me to ask if i am okay. people in the corporation that i use to work for, are calling me to ask if i am okay and to see if there is anything they can do? what can they do? what can anybody do at this point. i feel like a failure and can't even leave the house to do the things that need to be done around the house. i embarrassed and yet angry because no one will tell me what it was i was let go for. has anyone ever been through this type of thing and what do you do to help yourself get through it? how do you clear your name? i want to leave the state and start over somewhere but financially can't. i would appreciate any words of wisdom from my fellow nurses. i would appreciate it, if you have something hateful or judgemental to say, save it. i can't take another humiliating situation. i am not asking for sympathy, i am just asking what you suggest i do now?
You asked for support in dealing with this, not for whether we think it was warranted. But to avoid the kind of replies that you do not want, it might be helpful to give us more information regarding any past warnings. You did mention a written warning, would you be comfortable telling us what that was about and if there were any other signs of trouble brewing? Again, good luck to you and I hope others refrain from blaming you without knowing details of the situation.
Specializes in Psych/Rehab/Family practice/Oncology.
Hello, and hugs to you and all the posters who offered the same. I hope you figure this all out and are able to get some explanation and satisfaction. If not, try to let this go, and continue forward in your career with your head held high. Best luck.
I just had an idea. What if you go to the unemployment office? They might be able to find out why you were terminated and also if they're giving bad references which I don't think they are supposed to do. You mentioned that you had another job lined up but they canceled, so my question is why did they cancel. I think that you have a right to know what they are saying about you because they don't have a right to prevent you from getting employment elsewhere without good reason. Also if you need references who can give them? Perhaps there are some good people at that place that could help out with that? I hope you get this resolved soon, don't lose faith.:redbeathe
Specializes in Peds and Forensic/Mental Health/Correct.
I was given a written warning for something that a bunch of us girls had done. I didn't think it was right that I be written up for something that we had already been talked to about. My HR person told me to send a rebuttal and this is what I did. When the upper management finally found time to look into it, they fired me without warning. I never did get to talk it out with anyone. I followed the proper steps for a grievance according to our policies and I was fired. That is all I can think it is. I have never been in trouble before this. I don't have any write-ups whatsoever. I feel that in retaliation, I was terminated. I have contacted an attorney but am waiting on a call back. I am serious, this is a shock to me. I was very serious about my job and my license. I would have never done something to jepordize my license.
Specializes in Peds and Forensic/Mental Health/Correct.
Purplemyst,
Thank you for your suggestions and believe it or not, I have the reference of one of the upper management people at the company I was just fired from! I also have several physicians that have called and told me to list them as references. As for the job I had lined up, it's a coicidence that I had the job the day before and then after I was let go, they rescinded their offer? Sounds like a negative reference to me doesn't it?
Thanks for the further info. The timing of the new job rescinding their offer sounds highly suspicious to me. Wonder if you could try for the job again with your new references.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
First, let me say that I am so sorry this happened to you. Also, you mentioned that many of the physicians that worked with you were teary eyed and were calling you, asking if they can help you. I'd start asking for personal reference letters, and asking them if they know of any available positions. At this moment, you have to start gathering things that place you in a positive light. If there is a union, of course, contact them, or ask what the issue is that made them decide to terminate you. Having those letters of reference would be helpful, because maybe that would show how valuable you were as an employee.
I, too, am curious about what grievance was filed. My best friend/nursing mentor had a similar situation, she was a nursing supervisor-very popular with the patients and most employees. She was fired for no real reason. She felt the same, very embarassed, depressed, and yes...broke. A few months later, after unemployment ran out, she got a job through an agency working as a school nurse. She loves it! Again, I am so sorry, and I do hope that you discover why this happened, and most importantly, can move on from this with a better, more secure position.
Surely you have a legal right to know why you were dismissed? Here(UK) they have to have a very good reason and a paper trail of warnings etc before you can be dismissed.Is it not the same in US?
No it is not the same on this side of the pond . Particularly if you work in an at will state .In an at will state the employer has the right to fire any one at any time for any reason ( other than situations of discrimination , that are protected by law ) , or as in this case no reason whatsoever .Unfortunately the OP is highly unlikely to find out officially why she was fired .From the employers perspective , If you know why you are fired then you may find legal grounds to contest that action ,so rather than risk liability , the employer says nothing.
Well, you are a female over 40 - I'm amazed they did this to you, since you could contact the EEOC. And I would recommend it! I can smell DISCRIMINATION.
I'm so sorry this happened to you. "Right to work" state - what a laugh. So is mine, BTW, but this doesn't mean that employers let people go for just anything - or nothing at all. Especially certain protected groups.
I am sorry that you are going through this. All I can say is..Prayer can fix it for you. Praying solves all problems. I have learned that sometimes the good has to suffer with the bad. Investigate and find out why you were let go. But ask for guidance from above before you make that choice. I can promise you the Lord shall direct thy path. Good luck!!
Your employer (management) is attempting to do a professional lobotomy on you, and using you as a scape- goat to control other employees. Please follow up with an attorney so the attorney can send a letter in your behalf. If your employer realizes that you have the backbone to stand up to them, then they will not be as likely to give a poor reference.
Don't feel alone; many nurses go through this type of retaliation. Its part of the sick culture that we have allowed ourselves to work in...over the past century. I had a friend in Tennessee that selected an attorney from the internet. He worked wonders for her, as her former employee gave a bad reference after terminating her, and she had difficulty getting another job.
Good luck, and protect your license by getting legal advice.
Think about signing on with a company and traveling. That would place you in another environment, give you benefits, give you time to heal, and enrich your résumé.
I am meeting more and more nurses that have experienced this. In support of what you are going through, know that this is becoming a common problem in nursing. In my opinion, the hospitals have created the shortage with high staff to patient ratios and terminations. No matter how hard you work in this field, one little thing can get you canned.
I went from a nurse that managers loved to have on their unit to the "monster." I went from being meek to speaking up and it pushed me right to the unemployment line.
You are entitled to unemployment but be aware that they have legal firms that will fight you all the way to circuit court to make you look bad. It appears as if the unemployment agency is not allowing it....that goes in your favor. They will provide you with an advocate but if you win and it gets appealed they can take it to circuit court and then you are on your own to protect yourself. The odds are that you will win.
Things are getting way out of hand in this field. There are a lot of nurses going through what you are.
What worked for me was to get into agencies. I took a break. Took some unemployment and then got going in agencies. Unfortunately, this won't exactly heal your wounds because the new generation of nursing is NOT eating their young....they are getting back for the opposite and they are now eating their experienced nurses who have worked so hard in this field. The atmosphere towards agency nurses has gotten rough and you can count on heavy assignments. But.....the good thing is that you can "shop" around until you find a place you want to work and get in that way.
I have found an area that I am really liking and it surprises me. The patients are very heavy but the care puts me right back to WHAT I WAS TRAINED TO DO. I am finding that I like the long term care facilities.
Take a break. Of course you are broke and uninsured but it will pass. File for unemployment. They never let you know why you were fired and the unemployment agency will be on your side. There is a chance they won't invest into the costs of an appeal. But it appears as if the courts are not allowing them to destroy nurses with this tactic and they are wasting money on the legal actions to try it.
Hang out here.....the people here are very supportive. They helped me out when I felt life was over. I haven't gotten through it yet and I was kicked even more getting into agency. But I have met so many people that have been experiencing this and that are frustrated with their jobs. You will realize you are not alone.
I am so sorry that you are feeling so bad.
I was told that if you light a candle for someone on a full moon that it sends positive energy to them. We are in a full moon now. I hope everyone that reads this will light a candle for you. I will and I will have the wonderful person that told me this do the same for you.
I have been contacted by LEAP for patient safety and they are backed by docs and $$. They are trying to push for more protection in our field who are experiencing what you did. We have a long road ahead of us but people are becoming aware so it is time to act and pray that something gets done about it.
My opinion about MAGNET STATUS.....I think all there records of staff terminated and gone needs to be reviewed and they should be tarnished for every termination. If people leave or get fired for situations like these it should count against them. Those terminated and gone count too.
Good luck. I will pray for you and the rest of the nurses going through this.
medsurgrnco, BSN, RN
539 Posts
You asked for support in dealing with this, not for whether we think it was warranted. But to avoid the kind of replies that you do not want, it might be helpful to give us more information regarding any past warnings. You did mention a written warning, would you be comfortable telling us what that was about and if there were any other signs of trouble brewing? Again, good luck to you and I hope others refrain from blaming you without knowing details of the situation.