terminated last 2 jobs, what should I do? :(

Published

Hi, I just graduated last year in May in New York..My first nursing job was in a nursing home..It was understaffed in my opinion and the opinion of the nurses that worked there..Well there was a 90 day probation period and from the understaffing, I had to do a lot..Well I did not make it pass the probational period..I lasted only 3 weeks..Well, I guess I should have quit when red flags came up when i knew it was an understaffed place..But being naive and I needed a job, I did not quit..I can not leave it off the resume because of background checks..Yes, it was only 3 weeks but I have to tell my next potential employer I had that job.

Well then, I got another job at another SNF that lasted several months then I got let go..I dont want to get into detail but I gave it 100% everyday...I felt I did not my best every day under the circumstances..

Now, I dont know what to do..What do I tell my next potential employer with all these strikes..Am I finished? I get so depressed thinking my career has ended..And it might be..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Educator, Pediatrics, ICU/CCU, Med-Surg.
Hi, I just graduated last year in May in New York..My first nursing job was in a nursing home..It was understaffed in my opinion and the opinion of the nurses that worked there..Well there was a 90 day probation period and from the understaffing, I had to do a lot..Well I did not make it pass the probational period..I lasted only 3 weeks..Well, I guess I should have quit when red flags came up when i knew it was an understaffed place..But being naive and I needed a job, I did not quit..I can not leave it off the resume because of background checks..Yes, it was only 3 weeks but I have to tell my next potential employer I had that job.

Well then, I got another job at another SNF that lasted several months then I got let go..I dont want to get into detail but I gave it 100% everyday...I felt I did not my best every day under the circumstances..

Now, I dont know what to do..What do I tell my next potential employer with all these strikes..Am I finished? I get so depressed thinking my career has ended..And it might be..

You might consider seeking a position in another type of facility if SNFs are not a good fit for you. It is very likely that potential employers will look at the fact that the only two positions you've had as a nurse were terminated; there isn't really any way around that, so be prepared to explain the situations from your perspective. If you have a positive work history prior to nursing, be sure to identify that.

Most of all, try to work through for yourself why these positions didn't work out (BEFORE applying for another nursing job). Consider what part of the conflict or problem belongs to you -- my experience is that it is rarely completely one-sided.

Good luck as you continue looking for a positive work environment!

Terri

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just going to echo what Terri said, since it's what I was thinking reading your post. Understaffing is, frankly, the norm all over the country, so "doing too much" is not the reason you were terminated.

You might also try a career counselor, possibly an advisor from your nursing school? They could give you insights into what is going wrong for you, and what you need to do to correct a trend that could potentially kill your career.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nursing homes may not offer much in the terms of staff development unless its a huge mega corporation or linked to a hospital with sufficient resources. Unless you feel truly called to nursing home work consider placing yourself somewhere that can support you well and develop you as the new nurse that you are.

Also look hard at yourself and possibly your lifestyle. Make sure that you do the things that will allow you to perform at your best. Engage in healthy behaviors to keep your mind and body strong.

Your career isnt over. Just keep walking forward and do your best. Youll find your place. Dont be discouraged. Nurses are in great demand. So much that things like youve described may not always matter.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

I agree you probly will have to give some explaination regarding the terminations. Do not focus on the facility and what was wrong there. Do not dis the employer or employees of the other facilities. Really sit and think about what YOU may have been able to do better that might have changed the situation and the ultimate outcome. I know you may not feel you really did anything at all wrong, but in another interview DO not bring up a former employer in a negative light. Only focus on your experience and what you have "learned" from the situations.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I really struggle with how one should deal with figuring out what does and doesn't work for oneself. I tend to feel blamed and ashamed for not "getting it" the way it seems I'm supposed to. If I hear the words "You need to try harder" I just want to give up since I WAS trying hard and it would seem it wasn't enough. I appreciate that it's often well-meant advice but everyone's different in what motivates them. Anyway, back to the OP's problem....

Sometimes, you just can't know something until you've experienced something else. For example, the OP might not have a developed sense for what type of environment would suit her. But until she experiences it, how can she know what she's looking for? It seems like hit-or-miss is the only strategy but if you miss more than once or twice, it reflects poorly upon the person. Still, if you don't KNOW what works for you, it seems the odds are against you in finding it before you use up your few chances.

So what to do? I suggest the OP *NOT* immediately run out and find another job (hopefully that's financially feasible for a period) and spend her time shadowing, interviewing, volunteering... anything to get exposed to different potential jobs and a better sense of the overall job and work environment. Now that you (the OP) have experience with two different workplaces, you can use that perspective as you check out a number of other workplaces. Can you sense a similar or different vibe at the different places? How do the nurses interact with each other? Do they all look harried all the time? If you have the opportunity for more than one visit to any facility, all the better, as you might inadverently be witnessing particularly good or bad day.

Do you keep in touch with nursing school classmates? Ask if you can follow them for part of few different shifts. Call nurse managers and say that you're NOT looking for a job yet, but instead are doing some serious research to determine what your next step will be. A good manager will respect that.

You can make this difficulty getting started work for you. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi, I just graduated last year in May in New York..My first nursing job was in a nursing home..It was understaffed in my opinion and the opinion of the nurses that worked there..Well there was a 90 day probation period and from the understaffing, I had to do a lot..Well I did not make it pass the probational period..I lasted only 3 weeks..Well, I guess I should have quit when red flags came up when i knew it was an understaffed place..But being naive and I needed a job, I did not quit..I can not leave it off the resume because of background checks..Yes, it was only 3 weeks but I have to tell my next potential employer I had that job.

Well then, I got another job at another SNF that lasted several months then I got let go..I dont want to get into detail but I gave it 100% everyday...I felt I did not my best every day under the circumstances..

Now, I dont know what to do..What do I tell my next potential employer with all these strikes..Am I finished? I get so depressed thinking my career has ended..And it might be..

Whatever you do, DON"T GIVE UP! There is a place for all of us! Nursing is a hard profession; however, if you keep perservering and have the desire to nurse, you will find your nitch! There is always prayer!:saint:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

I must ask why were you terminated? Under what grounds were you released?

Is it something you are doing, and if so, is this something you can approve on and prove yourself past it?

I started as a brand new LPN in Febuary of this year, it has been tough and continues to be tough, but I made myself known to my co-workers and supervisors/managers before I became a nurse and I now reap the rewards. I consider myself "looked" after, I can get any question answered, and I can get help whenever I need it without a problem.

The reasoning I posted the above, is if you are being shy, afraid, not socializing to some extent with your coworkers, not making yourself "known" in a good way, that may be a key problem for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

dunno, you really need to objectively assess why you were terminated from both jobs.

it's just not enough to say "i gave it 100%"...

you must have received some sort of feedback?

until you can begin to understand their perspectives, there's a good chance it will continue to happen.

consider it all part of the growing pains that new nurses have to endure.

with that said, i truly am sorry you've gotten off to such a rotten start.

wishing you a brighter, successful journey.:balloons:

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, LTC, Home Health.

A nursing home being short-staffed is not a red flag. It is quite the norm, which also means it is very difficult to get fired. In order to understand what is going on here, you would have to elaborate as to what is happening. Otherwise, you may be doomed to repeat it again!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well, I'd sure leave off the three week gig.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would also leave off the three week job. You weren't there long enough to properly enter the payroll system. I also echo the other posters. You need to do some serious retrospection on your part based on what info they gave you about your performance. Something that you are doing or not doing has got to change the next go around. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion