Please Read: Fired from first nursing job

[newRN109]

Hi, I'm writing this in hope to get some insight on my situation and advise or what I should do. So I was recently fired from my first nursing job. It was a residency program and I basically "just wasn't progressing". I honestly agree with their decision to fire me because I found the residency program extremely challenging and was having a really hard time even managing two patients. 

During this time, however, I was suffering from an eating disorder, which, although I am by no means "cured" of, I have at least gone through a rehab program and regained my physical health. I don't know if my eating disorder had anything to do with my lack of success in the residency program, but it definitely didn't help. 

I'm now debating what I should do as far as work. I know it will be extremely difficult finding a job after being fired, and there's no way I feel ready to do anything other than another residency program. I'm contemplating writing a letter to my old job and explaining my situation, but am afraid that I will fail again. 

Does anyone have any advise or insight?

[jeanbeth, MSN, DNP, RN]

Try to take this as a minor blip in your nursing career. There are so many different paths in nursing and you may find yours on the next attempt. I agree with other posters that your former employers don't care about why you were unsuccessful, and as you look for new employment your future employers will not be too concerned if your first job wasn't what you had hoped. Take a breath, care for yourself, and try again. Good luck!

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

As everyone has said, it happens, and you will get through this and still be a successful nurse. The good thing about nursing is that similar situations happen all the time and a generic "it didn't turn out to be a good fit at the time" can cover a lot of ground with future potential employers. Don't volunteer too much information, but be forthcoming that there was a job that didn't work out. You don't specifically have to say you were fired, but you should admit it if asked directly. 

As far as your  next position, as was already suggested, until you can identify where your downfall was it will be difficult to make the appropriate changes and be successful in a new position. Was it time management? Assessments? Prioritization? There are so many moving pieces for new nurses, residency programs can be a challenging time.

Take a breath, give yourself credit for all that you have achieved, and just move on. Many people here have been fired (myself included), and come back to find success. Good luck!

[ChinupNewRN21, ASN, RN]

Hi NewRN109, I’m curious to know how you  ended up back on your feet, as I’m currently going through the same situation in 2021. I’m absolutely clueless as to what to do. I was in a residency program for 3.5 months, before being fired for poor performance. This happened recently.