I was fired.... Now I feel lost....

StephieRN_1216 · Aug 9, 2009

Personally, I think making an error like that is the best reason you could have for being fired. It was a MISTAKE. You weren't fired for being malicious or deceitful or anything that shows character flaw -

I think you should play that up when being asked. It was a long time ago, a mistake, and tell them the ways you feel it would be different now, or the ways you will prevent that from happening again.

Don't worry!!! Apply to the jobs!!!

You're not the first person ever to be fired :) People recover from it all the time

good luck!!!

darne20 · Aug 9, 2009

Apply for the job and be honest about something that happened in the past. It was a mistake; they happen every day in hospitals and sometimes every hour...making mistakes happens to everyone, it's what you do after a mistake happens that counts. I'm a hospital pharmacist and have hired (dozens) of technicians, pharmacists, an RN or 2, several MBA's and even a lawyer...anybody with any experience has made mistakes, just not everyone has been caught. Firing someone for charting on the wrong chart is just plain wrong-minded; I'm not saying that it wasn't serious, but I think that most employers would listen to your explanation; tell the truth but don't dwell on it. Your biggest handicap is that you haven't worked as a nurse for 8 1/2 years; you might consider taking even a part-time nursing job then apply for a specialized job like L&D. Good luck.

Lacie, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2009

I went through a real rough spot in my career also in which not only was I fired but lost my license for a period of 4 months over something as silly as "mylanta". I was very angry and lost alot of faith in the nursing profession for a very long time. It took me along time to get over what I felt. Once I decided to return and got a job on my first interview after 4 years of sitting back in the shadows I was shocked. If you are honest and ensure you exhibit it as a learning experience you will find employers understand more than you would think. I thought it would hold me back getting jobs but it was other issues that kept me from getting jobs such as "lack of recent experience" or "overqualified" lol. Keep it short and sweet and dont provide too much information or over explain. Let them know you have moved on and sell yourself well.

theamberdawns · Aug 10, 2009

We are all human, charting on the wrong chart got you fired?! I cannot believe that! I've done that, everyone probably has. if you love L&D go for it, you only live once.. and you've waiting a long time go for it!:heartbeat

MissBrittanyRN · Sep 11, 2009

I agree with all of the above. I think the interviewer will probably even be surprised that you were fired for that. They may ask how you will prevent it in the future. Triple check, and follow any policies they may have in place for preventing this. It can easily be said that you learned from your mistake, but it was not exactly a decision - it was an accident! Like someone said, it's the best thing to be fired for, and think about it. Do you think that every RN that has been fired, has left for good? No, so I say apply. And good luck to you!

caliotter3 · Sep 11, 2009

I also agree that your biggest problem is not having worked for 8 years. You would have overcome this by now if you had got out there and pushed forward 8 years ago. Just go for it. Practice some answers for an interview, polish up the resume, and get started. You won't get that second chance until you find someone willing to give it to you, and that won't happen until you start looking for a job. Wishing you good luck.

benitarae · Jan 7, 2010

I don't know. I was fired for forgetting to make the nursing note for a verbal order. Nurses I have consulted with tell me that I won't get a job in today's full market if I tell the truth. I even had a nurse I know ask the HR person at the major hospital they work at. She told my friend I won't even get looked at if I tell the truth. I'm wondering how nurse's continue to get jobs when they have been fired. Now, I only have 2 1/2 years experience at a clinic and 1 year at a nursing home, so this is an added downer. And I'm older. Everyone, except most of the advise on this sight and one nurse I know has told me to find another way to explain leaving. The nurse I know also got fired and has not even had an interview in 5 months! And she has surgery experience! This tells me not to be truthful!

destin3g99 · Jan 15, 2010

I was fired and can't find a job either. For something similar to your experience. I've had interviews here and there. I got one job offer right away, but didn't take it because the hospital floor seemed like it was ran in an unsafe manner. Then another offer for a job that was going to pay less than my unemployment, and no benefits.

I can't bring myself to lie, but I think that I need to describe what happened in a different way and play it up as a learning experience.

benitarae · Jan 15, 2010

Thankyou for your reply. I had already decided to say something like "I really loved my job at ---and I was proud to work for an organization that has a good reputation. I know that I am a good nurse, but not perfect. I'm human. There was a recent change in management, I made a mistake regarding documentation and was let go for it and have taken steps to improve my skills in that area. I am keeping this as a learning experience and moving on."

The first part is positive, the middle is in answer to the question and the ending is positive. Hopefully the interviewer has had similar experiences in her/his career.:heartbeat