I worked at a LTC place for two months. I'm fairly new to nursing. I've only been out of school since December last year and got my nclex in early April.
Recently on day shift I had very little sleep and I was overwhelmed. Working at a negative place for five days in a row, being charge nurse, having insults thrown at my face, and my night nurses not doing their duties correctly already had my anxiety through the roof.
As every hour passed more frustration grew...having new residents with IV pumps I've not been trained with...treatments and more medications to give.
A resident after a few hours, complained that they did not get their lunch tray and pouted/cried the whole way they went down the hall in their wheelchair. This is a difficult reside, A/Ox3 but uses every excuse to get people to jump for him and is very manipulative. He got his tray but then got even more upset when it had a food he couldn't eat on it.
I tried my hardest to keep my cool but ended up yelling at them as I walked down the hall to get my tray. I was then contacted by upper management and asked to be given a statement for verbal abuse investigation. Quickly after that I was terminated.
How screwed am I? I've gone now for the last three days with very little sleep and cried every single hour I feel. I'm just so depressed. My licence could be at stake here and I could never be able to find a job...I'm going to seek counseling at a psychologist's office Wednesday but how do i even get my feet back into nursing? How do I explain this to future employees?
Should I just stop nursing and get a retail job/education in something else? Or is there hope for me?
Get out of LTC facilities. It's draining and downright depressing at times. It is overwhelming with what can feel like an impossible workload. There are so many more manageable nursing jobs that won't burn you out in 2 months. The nurses that do this well are amazing and have this stuff down to a science but this is clearly not your path. There are so many avenues to nursing that won't have you frayed to the end of your rope on a daily. basis. Nursing is tough, but LTC is it's own entity when it comes to workload. Hope it works out. You do need to keep your cool though because snapping at a patient is not ok and comes with consequences. I have felt the temptation though.
What do you recommend I do? I'm applying to everything right now honestly just so I can get back on my feet.
Another thing you may not be aware of is that if you're terminated from a position, it is mandatory that you self report to the BON that you were terminated. You'll have to explain why you were terminated and can state your side of the story. There may be an investigation and you'll be called from someone on the investigating team. They'll ask their questions. Don't give them any more information than necessarry. You'll be given the chance to add anything that you may deem important.
I know all about this because I recently went through this when I was falsely accussed of sleeping on the job and my former employer reported another item that I knew absolutely nothing about. My case turmed out in my favor and no charges or disiplinary action was taken against me. Thank God. I was quite scared and nervous, but I didn't let it stop me from going on with my life. I didn't even think about it to often.
You will work again as a nurse, don't let this get you down and hold your head high. We all make mistakes and we learn from them. I would suggest that you visit your physican and discuss with him/her how you're feeling in regards to depression and anxiety. They may want to start you on medication that could/will make all the difference in the world and it isn't anything to be ashamed of.
Like you, I didn't and still don't have malpractice insurance and its something that we should all carry, I can't afford it right now. But that is one of those things you can't afford it,but you can't afford not to have it either. Things will work out in the end. Take some time for yourself,relax and breathe.
I think you should continue as a nurse..Everyday is differant and u just happened to have a bad day..I was at work where I had just recently started and the rules for hoyer lift is 2 people..in orientation when I asked what do you do if you can't get anyone to help you with the hoyer? An aid said just go in room shut the door and just use it..well all the aides use the hoyer by them self so I asked for help no one showed up so I used it by myself which is what I have always done at other jobs. And we'll the state was there..1 lady and everyone knew about her being there except me.no one told me she was there..the resident I got up told on me..well long story short I went to work following day and the nurse told me I was suspended and someone will call me..they didn't have my number she said so she had me write a statement and I put my phone number on the statement..well yesterday I called my job to see what was going on..if I still had a job and the lady I talked to didn't know what was going on..so she told me who to talk to so I went their asked to talk to her and she was gone for the day..so I called left a voice mail for her to call me back and a week later I still have not heard anything..I don't know if I have a job or not..I think it is very unprofessional that they didn't call me the day I was sent home..so yes keep being a nurse..I'm not giving up..I'm am good at what I do..yes I got caught but maybe they should look into how thete aids are training there cnas
Hi! I just wanted to chime in and give you a word of encouragement. Yes, you will have to answer to future employers about your termination but most times, they see that you are truthful and go from there. I agree that you probably need to get out of the Long Term Care business. I've been a nurse for 32 years and am just now getting into management in Long Term Care. I've always worked Critical Care. You will be fine. Right now it is very fresh on your mind and it does seem dark. I've been terminated once before but didn't even know why because if was a contract position and they never tell you. I have worked since then. Do you have a pastor or another more seasoned nurse to talk to? Just someone to talk with and get things into perspective. I wish you luck and hang in there. All will work itself out. You did not kill anyone and there was not harm. I understand the nursing home's stance on no tolerance though. Don't try to explain your way out of it or rationalize it. Just hold your head high and get out there. There are so many different kinds of nursing!
Although yelling at a patient is unprofessional, I can sympathize that LTC is tough, especially when you're a brand new nurse being thrown into it with poor orientation. My first few years I started doing LTC / Sub-acute and I was thrown into it, pretty much sink or swim walking off the plank. Take this as a learning experience and focus on moving forward. Since you are fairly new you may be a candidate for the new grad programs that many hospitals offer. I suggest trying that route to get your foot in the door in a hospital and get to watch a preceptor show you some skills. Good luck! Just remember that time moves on, so try to put one foot in front of the other and don't do it again.
If you feel that way, just take a 2 min break (hide in bathroom) to emotionally recover then start over.
Hi! I just wanted to chime in and give you a word of encouragement. Yes, you will have to answer to future employers about your termination but most times, they see that you are truthful and go from there. I agree that you probably need to get out of the Long Term Care business. I've been a nurse for 32 years and am just now getting into management in Long Term Care. I've always worked Critical Care. You will be fine. Right now it is very fresh on your mind and it does seem dark. I've been terminated once before but didn't even know why because if was a contract position and they never tell you. I have worked since then. Do you have a pastor or another more seasoned nurse to talk to? Just someone to talk with and get things into perspective. I wish you luck and hang in there. All will work itself out. You did not kill anyone and there was not harm. I understand the nursing home's stance on no tolerance though. Don't try to explain your way out of it or rationalize it. Just hold your head high and get out there. There are so many different kinds of nursing!
Take care,
TNnursejane
Thanks for your encouragement. I'm going to see a psychologist tomorrow, and I will continue doing that until I can get my emotions under control especially when I work.
I just need to know what to tell a future employer when the termination case comes into question. :C
Although yelling at a patient is unprofessional, I can sympathize that LTC is tough, especially when you're a brand new nurse being thrown into it with poor orientation. My first few years I started doing LTC / Sub-acute and I was thrown into it, pretty much sink or swim walking off the plank. Take this as a learning experience and focus on moving forward. Since you are fairly new you may be a candidate for the new grad programs that many hospitals offer. I suggest trying that route to get your foot in the door in a hospital and get to watch a preceptor show you some skills. Good luck! Just remember that time moves on, so try to put one foot in front of the other and don't do it again.
If you feel that way, just take a 2 min break (hide in bathroom) to emotionally recover then start over.
There are a few RN jobs open at a local magnet hospital nearby. I know i don't prefer nights but im fairly young i guess lol.
I just hope i can find the right words for the next employer concerning my termination.
"I raised my voice because I was frustated at myself during a partucuarly difficult situation at work. As a new nurse then, I felt the situation set me up for failure. Unfortunately, it was interpreted by nursing management as something worse. This is a valuable experience for me. It taught me to more vigilant in checking myself in order to prioject a more positive attitude. It also taught me to be more discerning and selective in the jobs that I will take in the future. ....That is why I am hoping that with proper guidance from a good hosptal like yours that I can develop into a a very good nurse"....
And don't cry until it is time to cry. If you keep crying, you won't be able to think clearly what to do next. You aren't even sure that your facility have reported you. If they reported you, there will be an investigation. So that is the time you should consult a lawyer to know what to say and do. In the meantime, stop sayng anything to anyone else execpt yoru family. When the investgator approach you before you have seen a lawyer, don't say anything. Don't be a nurse without a conscience, but you shoud also defend your license. You have rights too. Hire the best lawyer your money can afford because your ability to earn a living will be at stake.
Another thing you may not be aware of is that if you're terminated from a position, it is mandatory that you self report to the BON that you were terminated. You'll have to explain why you were terminated and can state your side of the story. There may be an investigation and you'll be called from someone on the investigating team. They'll ask their questions. Don't give them any more information than necessarry. You'll be given the chance to add anything that you may deem important.
This is news to me. Nurses are fired every day for a wide variety of reasons that may have nothing to do with actual nursing care. Maybe this is specific to a particular state? Can anyone else verify or expound on this?
Personally, I think as a new grad, with barely 6 months' experience, being put in charge without knowing how to properly use equipment, etc., is an untenable situation. It would never have happened in any environment where I've worked. No wonder you were stressed and on edge. That being said, reports of verbal abuse toward clients - either direct or indirect - will get you in hot water.
Your education didn't end when you got your licence, so look into taking ContEd courses on topics such as how to deal with difficult patients/people or stress management. You will need to learn skills such as self-advocacy so you can stand up for yourself when you are confronted with situations where you are being expected to work beyond your skill level, without training or any kind of support system in place when you need a more experienced person to bounce ideas off of, or get pointers from.
I agree with the comments recommending that you speak to a lawyer. If there is a state nursing association (not the BON, but a professional association) and you are a member, you may have some liability protection included in your fees. Check that out and call them.
This is news to me. Nurses are fired every day for a wide variety of reasons that may have nothing to do with actual nursing care. Maybe this is specific to a particular state? Can anyone else verify or expound on this?
Yeah im a bit confused on this too...do I really need a lawyer for something like this? How am I gonna be able to afford it?
WorriedNurse25
47 Posts
What do you recommend I do? I'm applying to everything right now honestly just so I can get back on my feet.