Terminated

Zookeeper3 · May 19, 2012

In the few states I have worked in the applications specifically ask for the entire work history as well as if I have ever been terminated. Erronious admissions are cause for later termination. The state board of nursing is very aware of where I have been employed, when i renew my license, that information is asked for.

I have spent many years interviewing and hiring employees. Termination is not an automatic "no" for me personally. If the applicant is able to be truthful about the reasons and the lessons learned as well as how their practice needs to be adjusted, I'm willing to consider that person. I have personally not hired a single person whom our human resource department found to have "forgotten" to list places of work in which they have been terminated.

Through your entire nursing career you will make mistakes and need to own them and learn from them, it's professionalism. (I was almost fired from my first job due to excessive call in's. This will forever be a poor reference for me). I changed my behavior and worked hard to ensure I never burnt another bridge and left every position in good standing.

You aren't in the position to fix the last position, but some retrospective thoughts for change, can really make a difference in your ability to be hired. Just know, that it will most likely be longer and more difficult, and you should consider the first offer and take it, and build an excellent reference.

Wish you the best, don't omit anything and good luck... get back out there. We ALL make mistakes.

Dixielee, BSN, RN · May 19, 2012

Through your entire nursing career you will make mistakes and need to own them and learn from them, it's professionalism. I changed my behavior and worked hard to ensure I never burnt another bridge and left every position in good standing.
You aren't in the position to fix the last position, but some retrospective thoughts for change, can really make a difference in your ability to be hired. Just know, that it will most likely be longer and more difficult, and you should consider the first offer and take it, and build an excellent reference.
Wish you the best, don't omit anything and good luck... get back out there. We ALL make mistakes.

Beautiful advice!! I read once that good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement! I heartily agree. Best of luck.

cally527, RN · May 19, 2012

Do NOT lie on a job application. It is a legal document and all applications for employment have a statement before the signature section that says something along the lines of "All of the information I have provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. " You run the risk of being terminated from a new job if they find out that you lied on your application.

>--stethoscope--o · May 20, 2012

I guess being truthful is way better than worrying about getting terminated again. What really hurts about it all was how hard it was to get a job after I graduated and how hard I worked at this job. Nevertheless, I did make mistakes. I just wish they would have been more forgiving seeing that I was new.

caliotter3 · May 20, 2012

Good luck in your job search.

Sparrowhawk · May 20, 2012

Just explain why you got fired.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · May 21, 2012

Any job in which you had FICA deductions will be uncovered as part of the (Federally mandated) background check when you are offered a new position. Throughout my life, I have learned waaaaay more from failures than successes. You will also if you take the time to be truthful with yourself and accept responsibility for your mistakes. You'll get past this.

Best of luck to you.

>--stethoscope--o · May 23, 2012

I had a mini phone interview and I don't think it went well. I'm suppose to havea face to face one tomorrow and I need advice. Thinking back on my mini one I think I made it too much of a point that I was terminated. I didn't state that I was terminated bc the facility didn't train me well. Instead I made it seam like it was my fault. Advice for my interview tomorrow would be greatly appreciated.

ShantheRN, BSN, RN · May 23, 2012

Talk up your strengths and the lessons you learned from previous mistakes :) And take deep breaths to keep yourself calm. Good luck!

allnurses Guide · May 23, 2012

Verbage can mean a lot. Don't say "fired" or "terminated". Reference being laid off, "bad fit" or coming to an agreement that you would be better suited in another position. If they want details, couch what happened with information on what you learned and would do differently.

elkpark · May 23, 2012

You don't want to sound like you're blaming the facility; it's important, as others have already noted, to take responsibility for your own part in what happened and be able to talk about what you've learned from the experience and what you're going to be doing differently in the future. It's always a bad idea, in any circumstance, to "badmouth" a former employer in a job interview, even when it's not a matter of your having been terminated from that job. It's especially bad if it's a job you lost.