stress of losing a job

[deToxTech]

How do you handle losing a job?

I'm fortunate that I was able to pick something up shortly thereafter (doesn't pay nearly enough but I have a very supportive family) so I have something to cover the "gap" in employment. But I've just been so down on the whole thing ever since. Had to move back home and readjust alot of things.

It's not like I was a bad employee-obviously i wasn't perfect if i lost my job-but I feel like I did more than my part and simply got caught up in an inevitable bad situation that resulted in a massive clear-cutting of employees; techs and nurses alike. Some of whom should have been gone since way back, some of whom shouldn't have been touched.

I still keep in contact with my former charge nurse and some of my coworkers. Apparently things really haven't improved any since, so in many ways it was a blessing that I got out when i did. But i've been having a hard time coping with the fact that I got let go after I worked so hard to become a productive and effective employee. Never had any complaints from my co-workers, never had any write-ups or black marks on my record (save one from a crazy nurse who wrote up EVERYONE). I got my work done efficiently on a regular basis and made my part of the unit run as smoothly as can be expected. I thought I was a golden child. And one night, things went to hell in a handbasket and next week I was terminated for not doing rounds. No warning, no write up, no nothing.

I still have good recommendations from my charge nurse and my night-supervisor. Both of whom have informed me this is just standard practice at this place-fire anyone who might endanger the hospital in a lawsuit and minimize collateral damage. But that doesn't help me in not feeling like a total failure. Yes, i screwed up, but what am i supposed to do now? And as of late, some of my immediate family has used this as grounds for saying I shouldn't go into nursing which only furthers my feelings.

I don't know-there are valid reasons to be fired and there are unvalid reasons to be fired. On the one hand, I feel like I should have been given a warning or a write-up in my permanent record. On the other hand, if i flop once, what's to prevent me from flopping a second time? Or a third? And at what point do I become one of those people who should have been tossed a long time ago? I'm sure there are people here who have experienced one or the other. How do you handle the loss of a job, regardless of whether it was validated or not?

[noreenl]

First, each state is different.. Next how long were you in this staff position were you on probation? Does your facility have a union for nurses? If you have a good relationship with supervisor, see what was your actual reason for termination and why not apply for Unemployment insurance and cobra your insurance? it sounds like you got shafted!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

It sounds as if you were very loyal to your previous employer and enjoyed working for that company greatly. I am sorry that your employment was terminated.

However, I wouldn't take it personal. It makes no sense to feel stressed and anguished over this job loss when your former employer is not going to lose one minute of sleep over what was done to you. Corporations make these decisions all the time with a sense of detachment and emotionless indifference, while the decisions that are made affect peoples' lives so profoundly.

You still landed another job in the midst of a slumping economy. I assume that you have your health, your family, friends, and other things to look up to.

[Suji.off]

Yes, of course that was really tough situation but must deal with it. If you get stressed you cant able to concentrate on anything. I too had the same problem later I have undergone hypnotherapy treatment to reduce my stress. The treatment really worked well and I got good relaxed mind through which I am able to deal with my problems without stress or depression.