Iwas fired for failure to provide care how do I answer at interview

[stephensr]

I am a new LPN the charge nurse would forget to do something and call me at work to ask me to do what ever she forgot to do I would do (many times) I did'nt have a problem with it but she decided to turn me in for not changing a dressing and I did'nt initial the MAR which look like I did'nt give the medication so I was fired. What should I say on my next interview reason why I was fired without sounding negative.Can I answer it with out mentioning what happn.I heard if they call previous employer they cannot tell reason why I was fired.

[Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN]

Most nurses who have worked in long term care know that missing a dressing change would not cause a nurse to lose her job unless a family member found out and made a fuss about it. Even then, a nurse probably wouldn't be terminated unless management was looking for an excuse to reduce the payroll as is common after the yearly state inspection.

No, missing a dressing change shouldn't cause a person to lose his or her job, but it may be the excuse used on the termination paper if they want to get rid of that person for whatever reason.

[scoutsmom]

I think the phrase "wasn't a good fit" is an over used phrase - not sure what would be better, but to me it says "I was let go", and will open up the same questions that "I was fired" do.

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

I worked at a facility where a lpn was fired for initialling the drsg change but didnt do it. This was a hard working, great nurse - i believe it was an honest mistake, a result of being overworked. Anyway the md found it when he was making rounds rhe next day and told the DON she 'better do something about it.'

This LPN found a job in a neighboring town just a couple days later - ironically with a facility owned by the same corporation. She said she liked that job better and got paid more anyway.

[caliotter3]

I worked at a facility where a lpn was fired for initialling the drsg change but didnt do it. This was a hard working, great nurse - i believe it was an honest mistake, a result of being overworked. Anyway the md found it when he was making rounds rhe next day and told the DON she 'better do something about it.'

This LPN found a job in a neighboring town just a couple days later - ironically with a facility owned by the same corporation. She said she liked that job better and got paid more anyway.

If only it always turned out this way.

[Cthulhu]

Concerning your "not eligible for rehire" status. I have a friend whose file is flagged not eligible for rehire. She said she talked to human resources and they told her she can file an appeal for this and hopefully get it reversed.

She also discussed her concerns with human resources about it's effect on her ability to get a job. They told her that they do not share this information with any future employer seeking references or background checks.

This policy may vary from facility to facility, so you should call up human resources and ask.

[NurseGloria]

Cthulhu said, "They told her that they do not share this information with any future employer seeking references or background checks".

Do you really believe that? Have you heard of the telephone? Human resources and DONs always call each other to ask about a potential hire.

[leslie :-D]

i'm almost always for telling the truth.

explaining on a most gen'l level, that you were delegated a lot extra assignments that were another nurse's responsibilities, and you just plain forgot, r/t being overwhelmed.

also, admit that you understand that it was still your responsibility but need to work in a place that encourages team spirit.

and yes, hr and mgrs are usually in cahoots together.

leslie

[NurseGloria]

Leslie: D is correct. Just tell what happened. The HR or administrator knows that nurses are usually given more work than is physically possible to do the way were taught in nursing education. It is a dirty little secret that nurses hide very well.

We all learn short cuts that are safe but are not what we learned in school. Most nurse educators probably don't know that because they didn't actually take care of real patients long enough to find out how nurses actually work.

But never falsify charting or say something was done that wasn't done. Besides the legal liability, it just encourages administration to continue to understaff.

I'm sure some employer will understand and hire you.

[Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN]

The employers around here know that the LTCs routinely fire people for bull reasons and getting fired is not a big blemish on the job seeker's record to the employers. Heck, LTCs in the same corporation will hire a person that is fired from another. I've certainly known people who have been fired for no particularly good reason from a LTC and are rehired at the same one 6 months later, even after being put on the do-not-hire list. It's all a joke.

I think what Leslie said is a great explanation to future employers, but don't be terribly surprised if you are not even asked about your firing.