I got FIRED,....now what?

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2009

You don't tell them you were fired. You simply say that you chose to take some time off for personal reasons.

Good luck!

dmckenney30 · Nov 12, 2009

i also was let go recently,I have only been a nurse for 6 months.Not alot of positions in my area for lpn's.Ive neer been let go for any reason.we we working short staffed and it was chaotic, but i was at fault, as hard as it is to say,i believe in being honest about it with future employers.

hes2371 · Nov 15, 2009

Our hospital has the same "no excuse" policy. You can't call off without getting an occurance and 3 occurances and you are gone!!! It doesn't matter if you were in a really bad car accident on your way to work and ended up in the ICU, that is an occurance...only way to get out of the "occurance" is if you have to be off for an extended period of time and file FMLA papers...what a joke. they dont want us to come to work if we have signs or symptoms of H1N1 but you will get an occurance...We signed contracts when we were first hired that says that we are "at will employees" meaning...doesn't matter what they fired you for you can't draw unemployment. Its crazy I know...but it happens all the time!

shihtzulvr · Nov 22, 2009

I've tried using "personal reasons" excuse. But when they have me fill out the paper application there's always the box asking if they can contact that employer AND another paper you must sign giving them permission to contact the last few employers or no job offer. When I'm honest with them they look at me like I have a third eye. Maybe they are not used to the honesty approach? It just gets very discouraging after awhile. I am getting the offers for interviews but I must be handling the actual interview wrong. I feel confident about all other aspects of it (as much as one can be).

Miss Chybil RN, BSN, RN · Nov 22, 2009

Couple of things to point out in this thread:

1. "At will employee" does not mean you can't file for unemployment. It just means they can fire you without cause. When you file for unemployment, though, if they fight the claim and can't show cause during the hearing, you're going to get your unemployment.

2. The only thing a former employer is allowed to tell a prospective employer is when you worked there and if they would rehire you, or not. Of course, not being eligible for rehire doesn't necessarily look good, it gives you a chance to tell your story and keeps former employers from vindictively trying to keep you from obtaining work elsewhere.

chare · Nov 22, 2009

couple of things to point out in this thread:
2. the only thing a former employer is allowed to tell a prospective employer is when you worked there and if they would rehire you, or not. of course, not being eligible for rehire doesn't necessarily look good, it gives you a chance to tell your story and keeps former employers from vindictively trying to keep you from obtaining work elsewhere.

not true at all. although this is the only information that many employers will provide, this is by choice, not by statute in most, if not all states. especially if a potential employer has you sign a release of information on the reference request form they send to your previous employers.

i went to the lawyers.com employment law legal article for my current state of residence [color=#333333]north carolina, as well as for california, florida,[color=#333333] georgia, illinois, michigan, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, and texas; and each page contained the following paragraph discussing pre-employment references:

[color=#333333]

a previous employer is free to provide any non-confidential information about a previous employee, so long as it's true and isn't provided to maliciously harm the employee. an employer who provides false information that disparages the employee may be liable for defamation. in order to avoid potential liability, many employers often refuse to comment on a past employee's job performance and confirm only dates of hire and separation, plus wage or salary information.

fibro2003 · Dec 10, 2009

My manager managed with an iron hand and always seemed to have her fav person to pick on. The last several months apparently were my turn. However, the added stress and some recent medical problems added to my problems causing me to miss several days of work and even end up hospitalized. I had a drs not for most of the days I missed and even fr the hospitalization.
Apprarently, our new company has a "no-excuse" attendance policy and I've been told it doesn't matter if I have them. I'm sure fighting it is fruitless so I am preparing to move on and use the effort elsewhere. What I need to know is how do I explain my firing to prospective employers and on applications?
Please help!

Hopefully you have the document that you been fired from your job , if not request one from human resource and if you had missed work because of a medical condition and you were hospitalized you also need proof of that , its always good to explain your situation in person and verbally but haveing it in black and white on paper is the key to everything. from employment to promotions and terminations always get it in writteing.

morrowrn · Aug 19, 2011

I'm going through a 6 year nightmare with my supervisor.......a sociopath that manages to draw in other "weak" people to continue on her character assasination efforts against me and another nurse - why? Because we are "strong" personalities, hard workers and aren't afraid to speak up - while the rest are like sheep. They grumble in groups....but do nothing. I'm a problem - solution - get moving person, which has unfortunately led to nothing but constant trouble with this manager. She has done the most unbelievable stuff! Somehow I'm still there but she's trying to peg us as workplace bullies, not following the Standards of Behavior. What actually happens is that she starts rumors, whispering to individuals and pits preop against pacu. Then says it's US! I had a back injury 2 weeks ago...went to the ER, was followed up by my doctor, and scheduled for an MRI. I missed 4 days of work and had my doctor's release. She FOLLOWED me around at work to force me to be seen by one of our doctors!! That's harrassment! My MRI showed 2 disc problems and my doc referred me to a specialist.

Anyway, the point is I've been trying to get the heck out of there away from her for 3 years but everytime anyone shows interest in me they suddenly are never heard from again............my best guess is what she is saying to them. Sooooooo DON"T give them permission to contact your employer. I have recently placed on my resume' not to contact my employer because they are unaware of my desire for new employment and I don't want to jeopardize my present position. Apparently these companies are respecting that because I have 2 interviews this week. Praying I can just get away from her and move on, but I guarantee you I am going to the DON of the company with my list of evidence against her. (I've done it before, but they basically ignored it and she continued, even though they told me that other people substantiated my claims!!!)

Either put that they cannot contact them or find a way to discredit what she says. Good luck!! You're not alone....

AmaruAgent · May 6, 2014

I know this is an old post (2009), but any luck since then getting a job? If so, were you honest? or Hid the truth like a politician?

morrowrn · May 6, 2014

Actually it turned out well, though I still feel somewhat "traumatized" by my former supervisor. When I took my new position I was constantly afraid of doing something wrong. Anyway, I found a job as a case manager through a local agency working at a large energy company. It's was a major step out but I love it. I actually work in a corporate environment now instead of a clinical one. In the initial interview I mentioned that I had some "difficulty" with a former supervisor but didn't discuss details or bad mouth her. They acted as though they already knew - but hired me anyway! Honesty was what got me into "trouble" at the last job, because management there was so corrupt - but I definitely believe that honesty is the best policy - if someone choses not to hire me even though I've been honest, then it wasn't meant to be. I hold fast to knowing that one day the people that have done wrong will have to be accountable for it. Good luck to you.