Job Search After Dismissal

[RoyalTeaRN]

Not just a first dismissal, but a second. No discipline or restrictions to license, have two years experience in med/surg and skilled nursing, performed wound care in both settings. Have been advised to be upfront about having been dismissed, because "they'll find out eventually, and you'll want to give your side first."

Confidence shaken, but won't short circuit integrity in pursuit of advancement. Still believe in myself (if I don't, how can anybody else?) and am prepared for the forthcoming rejections. Comments, encouragement, beratement?

[/username, BSN, RN]

Robotic post aside, why were you terminated?

[RoyalTeaRN]

I was going for "dispassionate" or "impersonal" in the original post, but robotic will work too.

Lack of communication on my part that resulted in me taking an action without the backing of a doctor's order. First time it was an adjusted (lowered) IV rate, second time it was an adjusted (lowered) insulin dose. Same mistake twice, same result.

Just have to not get so stressed that I forget the *effort* necessary to communicate as needed.

[/username, BSN, RN]

Practicing medicine without a license/practici nh outside your scope is a pretty big deal. Even more so since it happened twice, got you fired twice,

What is scary to me is that it seems like you're brushing it of and not really comprehending the gravity of the situation.

[RoyalTeaRN]

At what point in the hiring process do I own up to my mistakes, while at the same time not coming off as though I'm "brushing it off?" I'm sooo prepared to be rejected repeatedly, and maybe the rejections will lead me down a path to finding my niche and rebuilding my confidence, like the other career-related posts on this Website have mentioned.

The mis-step I made both times which resulted in me acting outside my scope, and that I absolutely have to not EVER allow again, was not sufficiently communicating to ensure that I had an order for any action I made, and to not take any action until I had that order. The second time this happened I was so stressed from being on-call for second shift and having to come back in at 7 a.m. the next morning that I left the long-term care facility without having communicated to the charge nurse whether I needed to go back and give a full dose of long-acting insulin as opposed to the half dose I gave for a below baseline blood sugar. My memory is a blank as to whether I even told the charge nurse about the half dose I did give.

If it sounds like I'm brushing it off, it's because I'm trying to suppress my angst over allowing myself to make the same mistake again. And maybe my angst ends up driving me out of the profession.

I have people's lives in my hands. I can't take back actions I make. Thankfully no harm came because of what happened. How do I overcome my angst, frustration and shaken confidence without having a melt down diarrhea-fest of emotion over it, while at the same time possibly landing a job?

[ProperlySeasoned]

You need to show some sort of remediation. Consider it this way - let's say you were terminated twice for becoming angry at patient's family and losing control. As a hiring manager, to even consider you as a candidate I would want to see that you have started therapy, taken an anger management course, and done some work in therapeutic communication. I would want all this addressed in your cover letter.

In your case, you are having serious issues with communication and scope of practice. I would want to see a review your states scope of practice, a communication course, and perhaps something related to medical ethics, or stress management.

My final suggestion is a little out there. If you like titrating medications and calling the shots, maybe you should take this break in employment to pursue an advanced degree, where you can end up as the provider.