Just been fired :(

[sax_journey]

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

[GingerSue]

It doesn't put your co-workers in an awkward position if you ask for a reference - whoever you ask can either say yes or can decline. I'm sure there is someone and maybe more who noticed your strengths. Anyone in any of the other departments - an Occupational Therapist (one offered to write me a reference letter at one of my earlier jobs)? How about any of the doctors? Are you a person who has invested quite a lot of time and effort to earn your professional qualifications? Build on this - you're valued in healthcare. Remind yourself of every skill you've learned and all that knowledge. Good luck to you!

[MarySunshine]

I'm sorry you're going through this, it sounds like a very difficult thing. I think you will be able to find a job that fits you though. Your talents and gifts are needed in nursing!

[reprise]

It's unclear from your post whether you were actually fired or whether you were employed subject to satisfactory performance during a probationary period and your employer elected not to continue your employment after that time.

You also don't mention whether you were employed within the public or the private system - this may affect the willingness of your co-workers to provide references on your behalf.

You need to be aware that omitting this period of employment from future applications could have negative consequences and that what seems like a small omission at the moment could become a "big lie" down the track. Most employers take non-disclosure of relevant information pretty seriously - especially in occupations which involve a legal duty of care - so you might want to contact the professional body which represents nurses in your state for advice on how best to proceed from here.

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

All excellent advice above.

My heart goes out to you,, I know how devastating this must fel to you.

Please do not let this undermine your confidence in yourself.. it will only make matters worse.

Learn from the reasons given for your dismissal, and use them as motivators to improve on these areas.. not as defeators.

I wish you all the best.. we all must learn as we grow. The main thing is to keep learning.. and keep growing ! :kiss

[laughingfairy]

I was terminated after just six weeks at a job. I had worked agency previously so this was my first real job. It was a poor fit for me and them. I was given a very unsatisfactory review. However, in my case it was also about the fact that I had been hired into a position that didn't exsist and the DON who hired me was fired my first day and the Administrator who hired me quit without notice my second day. So alot of it was political. I always put it on my application, but never on my resume. (in this area having to complete both is par for the course.)

Anyway I was devistated. I cried for days. It was a major blow to my self esteem and pride. I felt stupid and incompetent. (they hadn't even bothered to do it in person, but rather over the phone.)

Since then life has given me alot of perspective. Sadly many new grads are fired from first jobs. I've seen it often. More of the theory of nursing eating their own. Most of them have gone on to have wonderful careers. one decided to be a stay at home mom and homeschool her kids (one of the reasons she was terminated was poor attedance due to her children.) Another went on to work in wound therapy and does great at it. Another found a facility in the same speciality that gave her an extended oriantation as well as a lower acuity floor.

So do not despair. Be forth right and honest. Good luck.

[sharann, BSN, RN]

O.k. Lets talk. I was "let go" on my 90th day (last day of orientation) from my FIRST job as a new grad too. It was the BEST dang thing that could have happened to me!

Swear to it. I was told "You are not capable to be on your own and we can't give you any more orientation. Oh and get some therapy , you have too much anxiety". This is true! Imagine a new grad lacking confidence and not being capable all the time. I was on my own there though and it was a hostile work environment(toxic is a good word) from day 1. I am so glad the let me go since it allowed my to gain experience in another area which led me to my present job of 3 years which I LOVE. You know the old saying, "when one door closes another one opens"?...So true.

Don't feel bad, examine what you need to and go on. Perhaps you were in a bad and unsupportive environment, or just new. MAybe now you have that 3 months behind you you will take on the next job on by storm.

I ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH on my applications and guess what? Still was hired. I just wrote, "Please feel free to ask me about this". I don't put down the other hospital but I basically tell them the truth in a non accusatory way. They really respect you for it. If not, screw em.

[shewalke]

how did you prepare your applications and resume with the job you were fired from. how did you respond about the job in the interview.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Hey, I was fired from my first job because an 87 year old woman with Parkinsons, dementia, a-fib, hypertension, severe kyphosis and osteoporosis, and CHF, "choked" at lunch and it was alleged that I didn't act from negligence - I didn't act because she had a patent airway and was breathing - and anyway, the ER released her and she died after my shift was over.

Take a deep breath. The right fit is out there.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

REALLY OLD THREAD.

Let's close it OK? And there is a current one almost identical with a lot of good advice.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/i-let-go-226024.html