Seeking New Job After Being Let Go. Any advice on the "do's and don'ts" during interviews?

[BeatsPerMinute, BSN, RN]

The last time I posted (this last Nov), it was a story share about a difficult charge nurse and if this was a toxic environment to be in (Summary of incident: I received an admission from ED that had already coded and coded again on and off for over 3 hours once in my unit. Unable to leave room to check on my other patient. Asked charge about who was covering / watching my other patient while I kept running code on this new admit. Charge response: Lotsa eye rolls, sighs, attitude, no direct answer. Thankfully, nothing happened to second patient. However, I was still technically assigned to and responsible for that other patient). 

Welp, through the following months things got worse. Going to my Director about my concerns led to irritation. Then other nurses (a "clique") began going to Director, making false accusations and expressed concerns about my patient care. MDs and PAs and other charge nurses would hear this. Trust deteriorated, and ultimately, I was let go. Before being let go, I reached out to HR mult times. No response. 

The situation is both a blessing and a curse...  I dreaded work every day, and I'd rather be let go than lose my license, which what I feared the most. Other things were going on: we lost PAs, support "team" nurses, my fav nurse buddies, travelers, a couple charge RNs, and those in various leadership positions. I was already submitting applications before being let go, however, being let go happened before securing a new position. I'm relieved, but also need a job ASAP & been cranking out the applications. 

As the interviews approach, I dread being asked: "So, why are you no longer working at XYZ Hospital?" and how to answer it professionally.  

I don't want to lie, play a "blame game"... I want to keep things general however am having a hard time finding the words to say this that is both honest without sharing too much info that would set off alarm bells, and end up just shooting myself in the foot. 

Advice? 

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

Just say that both sides realized that it wasn't a good fit

[BeatsPerMinute, BSN, RN]

Hoosier_RN said:

Just say that both sides realized that it wasn't a good fit

And if they press WHY it wasn't a good fit? I was thinking of mentioning that the environment had changed... like people leaving and stuff. A good team will make or break any job, and I felt like the team was just... IDK, not there anymore, or something like that, but keeping it general. Still trying to find a way to put it into words.

Or is that a bad answer? 

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

BeatsPerMinute said:

And if they press WHY it wasn't a good fit? I was thinking of mentioning that the environment had changed... like people leaving and stuff. A good team will make or break any job, and I felt like the team was just... IDK, not there anymore, or something like that, but keeping it general. Still trying to find a way to put it into words.

Or is that a bad answer? 

No I think that's fine. An interviewer just doesn't want to hear trash talk about a former employer or coworkers. Keeping it professional is the way to go. Good luck on your Job Search!

[toomuchbaloney]

Agree... just tell them it was not a good fit for you.  Be prepared to express what you would need to have a good fit.  Retention is always on the mind of the hiring manager. 

[BeatsPerMinute, BSN, RN]

Hoosier_RN said:

No I think that's fine. An interviewer just doesn't want to hear trash talk about a former employer or coworkers. Keeping it professional is the way to go. Good luck on your job search!

Thank you! 

[HiddenAngels]

BeatsPerMinute said:

Hi there, 

The last time I posted (this last Nov), it was a story share about a difficult charge nurse and if this was a toxic environment to be in (Summary of incident: I received an admission from ED that had already coded and coded again on and off for over 3 hours once in my unit. Unable to leave room to check on my other patient. Asked charge about who was covering / watching my other patient while I kept running code on this new admit. Charge response: Lotsa eye rolls, sighs, attitude, no direct answer. Thankfully, nothing happened to second patient. However, I was still technically assigned to and responsible for that other patient). 

Welp, through the following months things got worse. Going to my Director about my concerns led to irritation. Then other nurses (a "clique") began going to Director, making false accusations and expressed concerns about my patient care. MDs and PAs and other charge nurses would hear this. Trust deteriorated, and ultimately, I was let go. Before being let go, I reached out to HR mult times. No response. 

The situation is both a blessing and a curse...  I dreaded work every day, and I'd rather be let go than lose my license, which what I feared the most. Other things were going on: we lost PAs, support "team" nurses, my fav nurse buddies, travelers, a couple charge RNs, and those in various leadership positions. I was already submitting applications before being let go, however, being let go happened before securing a new position. I'm relieved, but also need a job ASAP & been cranking out the applications. 

As the interviews approach, I dread is being asked: "So, why are you no longer working at XYZ Hospital?" and how to answer it professionally.  

I don't want to lie, play a "blame game"... I want to keep things general however am having a hard time finding the words to say this that is both honest without sharing too much info that would set off alarm bells, and end up just shooting myself in the foot. 

Advice? 

Oh I would be honest.  Most organizations know EXACTLY what's going on in the nursing profession regarding staffing, acuity, the nurse flight etc.  I wouldn't deal out specifics just a generalized statement of the dangers of working with less staff and more patients.  How you're looking to advance your career and give good quality patient care while helping to promote and support a good experience and a positive work environment.

Now sometimes they ask those questions that go something like this..."tell me about a time when you had to blah blah blah without blah blah blah" and that's when you can give them an example of how you managed to excel and delegate in sub-optimal conditions at your job.

Good Luck (hugs)!

[vampiregirl, BSN, RN]

BeatsPerMinute said:

And if they press WHY it wasn't a good fit?

One strategy to professionally respond to this question would be to make a positive observation about the facility you are interviewing for and briefly explain how that aligns with your care philosophy. Or pick something from the facilities mission/values or something that that they advertise and make a statement that aligns your nursing philosophy with that.

I was responsible for interviewing in a SNF before I transitioned to hospice. I remember walking a interviewee down to my office (we had to go through a unit to get there). The candidate commented on how she observed several staff interact with patients in a positive manner and this was something that was important to her. That stuck in my head as I was selecting candidates to extend an offer to.