Rejected after 8 years of working for the company

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Sad and embarracing to admit, but It just happened last friday. Manager said I need to find a different enviroment where I would be a better fit. Friends recommend start looking for a job agressively and I feel so defeated. How do you find courage and strength, not to mention another job, after you had been let go? What do you say on the interview when they ask what happened? I almost don't want to be a nurse anymore as I feel so unappreciated..

JBudd, no she did fire me, I am not sure if I am on the schedule (psychologically I don't even want to step there yet). She didn't offer any corrective measures, I know other co-workers have incomplete charting all the time, she calls them and asks them to rewrite. She did that with me as well. Any time she talked to me it didnt sound like a big deal. I wish my manager would let me know what's coming. I started to think my be because I am from a different country she didnt like me, I don't know. I graduated from here though

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What I did after being fired was wrote "will discuss in person" in applications where they asked the reason for leaving. Then when I interviewed for them, I was up front and said I was terminated, and the reason why. Then immediately told them what I've learned from the experience. And got a job.

As long as you chalk it up to a learning experience and take responsibility for your mistakes, most employers understand that these things happen. Almost everybody has been fired at least once.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology, Med/Surg, Hospice, Case Mgmt..

Were you a nurse the entire 8 years you have been working there, or did you become a nurse more recently and worked before that as a CNA?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Working in LTC explains it all...

Stop beating yourself up.

Your issue is a common one in LTC.

I've seen this happen over & over again.

There's usually constant turn over in LTC & with turn over comes new management who have their own ideas & many times want to bring in their own staff.

There's something to be said for working there 8 years....that's a long time in LTC. :D

My Mom is in a SNF and most of the employees that were there in 2009 when she was admitted are no longer there. Nurses, CNAs, dietary director, admissions, activity director and administrator. There's only one nurse in the alzheimers unit that is still there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

JMBnurse, I was a nurse there for almost 2 years, before I was a CNA

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

Keep it in perspective.....you DO NOT have any restrictions on your practice ...you are not a criminal..you are just trying to seek gainful employment. Tell any prospective employers the truth especially as you see it but do not focus in on it. You can state anything you have learned from the process. Do focus in on your strengths and what you have to offer an employer and specifically what you have to offer for the position for which you are applying. I certainly agree that putting "will discuss in person" is a good idea so you can get the interview and have a chance to sell yourself. In the meantime review what you could have done differently so this did not happen with the goal being not to let it happen again with a future employer. Write out in specific detail all of your strengths and review it daily to build your confidence back up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Long term care.

It seems harsh that they told you to leave after 2 med errors.....you worked there for 8 years...did they educate you for any med errors in those past 8 years? There must have been more than just 2 errors I am sorry to point out. Incomplete charting is not good ever, sometimes you just got to buck it up and stay late to get that done.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

On your applications just put down looking for a different environment. Someone trying to get out of a LTC is very,very common. But if you are applying to another LTC, state that you are looking for a job that offers more career opportunities (education, advancement, different types of patient)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It always feels so unfair to be dismissed. It happens to the best of us. Remember to ALWAYS tell the truth because if you lie in the interview, this alone is cause for dismissal.

Find a career counselor (there are agencies out there for people in your situation) in your city and talk to them for advice on 1. how to handle the interview, 2. get your confidence back again, 3. exploring where you may have gone wrong and why they might have thought you were not a "good fit", 4. do some soul-searching, 5. get your resume up to date.

I'm in the same boat right now because of an undermining, nasty, petty, lying, harassing co-worker. She lied so many times about me that she finally convinced the boss that I was the perpetrator, and I was fired. I only wish I had the money to sue her for defamation of character because I would do just that if I could. But I have to move on.

In your interview you can say many different kinds of things. Honestly, just search the net for: "What do I say after being fired?" and you will find lots of sites with suggestions. Also, ask your counselor. But BE HONEST about being let go! Never lie about the reason your job ended. It could spoil your good reputation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

NO! Never, ever lie. You MUST tell them you were let go. Say it confidently and keep it brief, then take the conversation to something positive about you such as what you've learned and how you are confident that it won't happen again. While looking for a different environment may be true, you should never state that as the reason...it's not true. Lying will get you into a lot of hot water if they find out, and they very well could find out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I really hate that after working for a place for 8 years, they just let you go instead of trying to help you. I don't have much advice as I'm a brand new nurse myself but unless an application asks specifically whether you were terminated, I'd list the reason for leaving as "not a good fit" or something like that.

Good luck, I hope it works out for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology, Med/Surg, Hospice, Case Mgmt..
Were you a nurse the entire 8 years you have been working there, or did you become a nurse more recently and worked before that as a CNA?

JMBnurse, I was a nurse there for almost 2 years, before I was a CNA

While it's true that you were an employee of the facility for a total of 8 years and they were obviously satisfied with your performance for over 6 years as a CNA, the game officially changed when you began working as a nurse less than 2 years ago.

They are now assessing you in a completely different role. One would hope that they would give you some credit for the total time you have been a loyal employee and try to make it work. Have there been problems since you assumed the nursing role?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment