New Nurse Devastated by Unexpected Termination - What Now??

Published

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Nurse Beth,

I'm a new nurse. Originally I worked at a facility for a few months before moving. This move didn't work out, and they rehired me back. This same facility terminated me from my position. I didn't have my probation finished, so they didn't need a reason to get rid of me. This termination came as a total shock to not only me, but my coworkers. The things they said to me during my termination was horrible and untrue, but it still has me questioning me who I am as a nurse or even if I'm a good nurse. It also has me terrified that I won't find another job, and that this is the end of my nursing career.

I know legally they cannot disclose why I was terminated, but it still has me worried.

My question is: Where do I go from here? I know I have to get out there and start applying for jobs. But how do I overcome this? How do I get my confidence back and how do I secure myself a new job after I've been terminated from my first nursing job?

Dear Devastated,

I'm so sorry you are going through this. Being fired is an awful experience that raises self-doubt, fear and even shame, regardless of the circumstances. Being taken completely by surprise adds to the trauma.

From what you've shared, there is no reason that this is the end of your nursing career. Remember that lots of people lose jobs and move on to do quite well. Your natural confidence will return with time and when you land your next job. You do want to get out there as soon as possible, to avoid having a lengthy unemployment gap on your resume.

Your resume shows that that you worked at Facility A for a short time; either had a gap in employment or worked at Facility B; then worked again at Facility A. The good thing is that Facility A hired you back, which speaks volumes. The challenges are:

  • Convincing an employer to take a chance on you when you do not have longevity
  • Explaining a short tenure

The best thing to do when explaining an unemployment gap or brief tenure is to be brief, positive, and segue into the future. The position was not a good fit, and I look forward to working for an organization that shares the same values I do.”

Hopefully with time and perspective, you will be able to make sense of the circumstances surrounding your termination. It's important for your recovery to identify the contributing factors. If any of your actions were a trigger, you can learn and grow. Rarely is a termination 100% one-dimensional.

Even if it was completely random, there is always room for personal growth, including forgiveness.

Best of luck friend,

Nurse Beth

nurse-beth-purple-logo.jpg

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.

When you get a new job don't think that you actually have a job. Don't assume anything at all. The first 3 months they are just doing a free trial on you. There might be many reasons why they don't want to keep you: you might not fit in, someone on upper management didn't like you, you are not what they were expecting and so on and so forth. Sometimes it might be that they just need to get rid of somebody due to budget constraints and you happen to be the lowest in the totem pole. I at the end of three months they come up with a list of things you have to improve and and the review is bad simply put your 2 week notice and start looking for another job. Never...never try to address the improvement list because you'll never make it and this is why. If a employer wants to keep you they'll work with you no matter what the problem is and in most cases they will never say there is a problem. If they come up with any thing you need to improve to me is a clear sign they are trying to brake down to you that they don't want you. They say things like "we want to see marked improvement" just leave and move on. Think about it if you don't fit in you'll also don't want to work there either.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

It's not true former employers can't reveal the reason for termination. They absolutely can as long as it's truthful. Reality is that most facilities have policies that only permit HR to reveal title, salary, date of employment and whether eligible for rehire.

Pick yourself up, self reflect on potential for improvement and move on. No one is perfect. Everyone can improve somewhere. Know your strengths and your weaknesses.

Move forward and learn from your past

Up Vote Up Vote ×
It's not true former employers can't reveal the reason for termination. They absolutely can as long as it's truthful. Reality is that most facilities have policies that only permit HR to reveal title, salary, date of employment and whether eligible for rehire.

Pick yourself up, self reflect on potential for improvement and move on. No one is perfect. Everyone can improve somewhere. Know your strengths and your weaknesses.

Move forward and learn from your past

Ehhh that's not exactly correct. Each state has their own regulations regarding what can be disclosed.

Copied and pasted for my state only and used a legal assistance website for ease of wording.

State Laws on References and Statements By Former Employers | Nolo.com

California

Cal. Civ. Code § 47©; Cal. Lab. Code §§ 1053, 1055

Information that may be disclosed:

• job performance

• reasons for termination or separation

• knowledge, qualifications, skills, or abilities based upon credible evidence

• eligibility for rehire

Who may request or receive information:

• prospective employer

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.
It's not true former employers can't reveal the reason for termination. They absolutely can as long as it's truthful. Reality is that most facilities have policies that only permit HR to reveal title, salary, date of employment and whether eligible for rehire.

Pick yourself up, self reflect on potential for improvement and move on. No one is perfect. Everyone can improve somewhere. Know your strengths and your weaknesses.

Move forward and learn from your past

The thing is, facilities can reveal "eligible for re-hire status" but do not have to- and many organizations do not. Their concern is any possible litigation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Ehhh that's not exactly correct. Each state has their own regulations regarding what can be disclosed.

Copied and pasted for my state only and used a legal assistance website for ease of wording.

State Laws on References and Statements By Former Employers | Nolo.com

California

Cal. Civ. Code § 47©; Cal. Lab. Code §§ 1053, 1055

Information that may be disclosed:

• job performance

• reasons for termination or separation

• knowledge, qualifications, skills, or abilities based upon credible evidence

• eligibility for rehire

Who may request or receive information:

• prospective employer

You just stated they legally can reveal reason for termination and eligibility for rehire which is exactly what I said..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You just stated they legally can reveal reason for termination and eligibility for rehire which is exactly what I said..

No I said and showed California they can but I clearly stated each state is different. I have worked in states that are not allowed to, the most they can say in regards to termination is rehireable. So that is not what you said, I encourage you to check out the link

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
No I said and showed California they can but I clearly stated each state is different. I have worked in states that are not allowed to, the most they can say in regards to termination is rehireable. So that is not what you said, I encourage you to check out the link

Ok. It's not absolute in any state. And if you sign consent to disclose they can reveal details in all states

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's true. In my state they can only state that you were an employee and the dates that you were employed. However, they get around this when you sign an application for a new job. They often stick a release in there that makes it possible to get the info anyway.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion