Just been fired :(

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Nov 5, 2004

I have no idea how to look for a job in Australia, but honesty is the best policy when looking for a job. Attempt to put a positive slant on the position you were fired from, ie, learned a lot, but was position was not a good fit for my personality, or too fast paced for new grad. I wish you the best and let us know how things turn out for you. Good luck! :balloons:

Nitengale326 · Nov 5, 2004

Hi,
I have just been fired from my job as a new grad RN last week.
This came as a devestating shock to me.
I am worried now that i will never be able to get another job. I have no other nursing experience to put on my cv, and obviously my previous employer would not give me a very favourable reference. Is it better to be honest with potential employers about being fired from my previous job, or to leave the experience out all together? How could i ever get another nursing job after this? I have -been searching the internet for job vacancies, but all of the application forms ask for references from a previous supervisor.........and this is the only RN job i have had.....i dont know how to go about finding another position. If anyone has any tips or suggestions i would be grateful to hear them. Thankyou
Skye

What were the circumstances ... why were you fired? That would weigh heavily in my decision to include them in resume or not. Do you have any coworkers, docs anyone that knew you that would give you a good reference? Someone higher on the chain of command than you is always good. If not, another RN with experience under his/her belt. How long were you at that job... months or years? Months... I wouldn't sweat it and let it go... years... figure out something ... someone that can back you up a little bit. Good luck.

GingerSue · Nov 5, 2004

Are there any of your former teachers who you could contact for references? Any other employers, even in a different line of work, you could ask them. Have you done volunteer work - you could ask them too. I've used co-workers as references (because the supervisors who I had at one of my jobs - they left one by one over the years and I didn't know where they went). A friend of mine several years back was fired, she's found work in several settings. Good luck in your job search. You can do it!

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Nov 5, 2004

I have no idea what to suggest, but lots of prayers of support and caring are coming your way, Skye.

bargainhound, RN · Nov 5, 2004

You can still get good jobs after being fired. Like others have said. Be able to speak about it and put a positive spin on it somehow.

mattsmom81 · Nov 5, 2004

Good advice above...try to understand the reasons given for your firing, and since you are a new grad I too would return to a trusted instructor or mentor to talk this over with. ((HUGS))) this must feel devastating as a new nurse but try to keep positive and learn from it. A mentor or former teacher who knows your strengths can coach you best.

smk1, LPN · Nov 5, 2004

if you were only there a month or 2 i would just leave it off. Otherwise try to spin it in a positive way such as "they weren't the right place for a new grad to start out in" etc... good luck

sax_journey · Nov 5, 2004

Thankyou everyone for your words of wisdom and encouragement. I appreciate it more than i could ever express.

I had only been in the job three months. Basically it was decided at the end of the three months that i was not performing well. I can understand that i had many areas to improve on, especially in terms of communication as i am very shy. But the report they wrote about me did not have one nice thing on it! And i know i do have some areas of strength as well (well i am pretty sure i do...) I had not been happy working there all along, was getting very stressed and depressed, so maybe it was for the best. I just wish i had resigned weeks ago instead of letting it come to this.

I had not thought of asking co-workers, or teachers, or people from previous jobs for a reference. These are all good ideas. Now my resume will not look so empty! There are a number of staff who i know would back me up. But does that put them in an awkward position to ask for a reference?

Thanks again,

Skye

CHATSDALE · Nov 5, 2004

you had good advice...stop and think about the problems which put you in this position...be honest about your weak points..think of ways which you can improve them

think of your strong points and see if you can find a job which would utilize these to the best advantage...

this is not the worse thing that could have happen to you...join a self help group to try and overcome your shyness..

you have your whole life ahead of you and your have the work and time you put into your education...go for it

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 5, 2004

Good luck. Take care.

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 5, 2004

Maybe, this was not "the right fit" for you. Do NOT despair! Many good people have been fired, only to find it was a blessing in disguise later on. Right now, you are crushed, and understandably so. Allow yourself time to be angry, sad, grieve, whatever it takes. Then, dust off, pick up, polish that resume and go looking for the "right fit" this time. It IS out there, you just have not found it--------yet!