The long term effects of being fired

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I have been fired once in my career. And it really hurt me in alot of ways. It has been some months, since the occurence, but I still get sad. Anyone else, with some long term effects of being fired???:crying2:

In some ways, I'm afraid, you never get quite over it.

I had a horrible experience in my very first job as a nurse, a decade ago. I didn't fit in with the clique on the floor and the head nurse hated me (as I found out when she forced me to resign after my "orientation" for absolutely nothing I had done. I was presented with a bogus evaluation that was beyond ridiculous... I try to forget it, but it still haunts me sometimes).

My confidence as a nurse, although I was a new grad, was seriously shaken (nearly destroyed, really). I wish I could say you get over it... mostly, you do, I guess - but never totally. But don't let that discourage you, I may be an exception.

Best wishes to you,

DeLana

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One of the things that has helped me heal is being able to fight back. Im sure many of you know my story by now.I was fired in retaliation for whistle blowing and am still involved in litigation against my former employer.Its been a long three years and still is not over.But IF I wouldnt have made the decision to fight, I think it would have taken me far longer to get over this .Truly, as Leslie has said,it hurts when you are fired for trying to do the right thing ,it is liked being punched in the solar plexis.

Now a disclaimer, not all retaliation cases are clear cut and straight forward, partly just because of the circumstances and partly because the employer will do ANYTHING to besmirch and twist and outright LIE about circumstances of the case.It takes A LOT of emotional and even physical stamina to go through a case against an employer.Emotionally it was healing for me, but physically the stress of being fired in such a dirty underhanded way, when I had a clean record for 27 years, THAT was what caused me to fall apart physically,RA and other illnessess and conditions flared up, which ended me up on SSDI.

These facilities and corporations care NOTHING for the nurse or employee.If you make waves especially regarding patient care issues, you will be targeted for a quick kick to the curb. All the more reason to preempt possible damage done by the employer by being protected with a UNION, not wimpy useless ones that are in the pocket of the employer, but a union with some teeth, like the NNOC.

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Poochee: and every other nurse on this thread. Do I ever feel for you.

Oracle said it so succinctly. A lot of nurses are getting fired. The corporations don't want to be found out.

I have been fired from 2 different facilities because I reported dangerous and abusive care, not to mention the first one I worked at for a year. A "psych warehouse." The administrator would not take seriously what I was telling him, even kept copies of the things I had written to him. So he didn't correct the problem, and as State law mandates, if they don't, you are mandated to report abuses to the State. I did this when he did not take care of the problems. I was fired. Labor board said it was not retaliatory, even though he was placed on the "National Watch List" for actual harm to patients.

I filed a lawsuit, the employment lawyer said he would take it as a contingency, that I was credible, that it would settle and wouldn't have to go to trial. When I went to see him, he said he was too busy and asked another inexperienced lawyer that needed clients to do it for him.

I have a history of depression which was controlled on Prozac. When I was fired, I went into a deep depression for about a year. Then I went to another facility as a nursing supervisor. I found that a patient who had COPD and was in respiratory failure, had not been checked on on that shift or even her vitals were not taken. I had to call 911 because her vitals were off the chart. The DON refused to answer my phone calls about what was going on with my unit. I called as mandated by the State if the facility did not correct the problem, to call the State. I was again fired. I called my lawyer and he screamed at me to "keep out of trouble." Catch 22? Several months later he called for my permission to dismiss him from the case because he wasn't making any money. Then told the court he wanted the case dismissed because I was a problem client.

He got himself released from the case, but I was served on 4 different court dates, I guess pertaining to the case and representing myself because the defendant demanded the interrogatories and discoveries I had given the lawyer that apparently he said he was getting permission for an extension for me to get a lawyer. Then the court ordered a sanction against me for $1220, and then said $1700 now, to be paid to the defendant in 15 days? For what? I can't get an answer from anyone. I am going to have to contact a public defender, but I understand they only take criminal cases.

I have pretty much recovered from the disability and wanted to get on with my life and not get another lawyer. I don't even know what was going on, the lawyers would tell me nothing except just to wait. Then all this happens. I have a letter from State that all the things I reported were validated and the facilities were fined. I said, "where is the retaliation law?" Again no answers.

So I thought, well, that tells patients in LTC that it's alright for corporations to abuse patients, not care for them and die, and then take all the Medicare/Medical for huge profits.

I couldn't believe it. I knew the Corporations were ripping off these patients and making money at it, but it is just like saying this is okay to take money from sick and defenseless people.

Then I was threatened by the lawyer that if I didn't do all these things and get a lawyer, if I lost the case, I would end up being fined thousands of dollars! What?

This has really done somethng to me. I am trying not to sink into that horrible depression. The first time I was fired it was so humiliating, all the staff showed up right before change of shift and proceeded to laugh and hug each other, play their IPODS. I was on disability for depression for a year after that. Then when I feel pretty well recovered, I was hired at another rehab and had to send the patient 911. No one would talk to me about what was happening so as mandated, I had to call the State and they sent me a letter validating the wrong doing and lack of care of the patients, but I was fired for doing my job as a nurse. As nursing supervisor, who probably saved the woman's life, I was fired and the facility was cited. But I am the criminal. Her nurse or the cna who did not take the vitals as part of her routine were not disciplined. They are still working there. So if the woman died, who was going to take the fall?

Me!

This has really done something to me. I feel horribly about all mankind, but I do know that I have good friends and good people around me. I don't like this feeling of knowing how the lust for money turns them into monsters.

Now ex-lawyers are portraying me as a nut, uncredible, because of my depression and firings. There is still that unchangeable, unmovable, unenlighted stigma against mental illness. I tried to tell them I was depressed, but not deranged or uncredible. I documented each time something happened. I followed the letter of the law, when the administration wouldn't listen to me, I called the State as I was required.

My reward for possibly saving a patient's life and trying to take care of my patients was now I am a criminal.

No one takes me serious. I have a history of depression, I am not psychotic, and or was stable until now, but I am treated like a leper. They automatically assign "crazy" to you if you have any mental conditions, or are depressed, and as I said, I was depressed, not psychotic. They just cavalierly throw around that you are crazy.

This is the thanks for trying to help heal the ill?

So, believe me, I know what each and every one of you is feeling.

But as poochy said in so many words, you are fired because they are hiding things. I developed a low esteem, then realized, They were the crazy ones. I was trying to take care of the sick.

I know this has been long and hope you eyes haven't glazed over, but just couldn't help myself. My therapist told me "it is traumatic getting fired," so God bless all of you.

Red

Iam so sorry that this happen to you..i know fully what you are describing..sort of..I you dont play...we make you pay..as long as you are quiet and do your job :clown: play the BLIND person than your IN..your...cool.But oh my God watch out if you are actually trying to advocate for your patients and step out of line than you become the target..for doing the right thing.

Red..thank you for stepping up to the plate..we NEED more nurses like YOU. The patients are usually quiet...but they notice nurses like you and are thankful for trying to help.I wish you well:).

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Specializes in med/surg.
Years ago getting fired was an unusal experience for a nurse. Lately it seems to happen all the time. To me that does not say that quality of nurses has gone down hill. What I think has happened is that managment has become much more paranoid. You see, they have so much to hide and it is getting so much harder to hide it. I say to them, "go ahead and sacrifice the nurses in attempt to cover up your tricks, the piper will be at your door sooner or later to get paid". I wish I could gloat when I see one of you on the hot seat but I can't because it usually means someone got hurt.:oornt:

So true. Couldn't have said it better.

Red

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Specializes in Tele/ICU/MedSurg/Peds/SubAcute/LTC/Alz.

I was fired by email, because I was in a car accident a few weeks ago.

My manager told me that I was a no call no show three times. I was left unconscious and I was not in my home state and visiting family at the time. She also said that I failed my PBDS, and was not qualified to work on a Med/Surg floor.

This is the third hospital that has done negative things to my career. I am so going back to Long Term Care, where I was always appreciated.

Thanks for the kind words, it makes me feel better, that I was not the only one fired.

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Specializes in med/surg.
I was fired by email, because I was in a car accident a few weeks ago.

My manager told me that I was a no call no show three times. I was left unconscious and I was not in my home state and visiting family at the time. She also said that I failed my PBDS, and was not qualified to work on a Med/Surg floor.

This is the third hospital that has done negative things to my career. I am so going back to Long Term Care, where I was always appreciated.

Thanks for the kind words, it makes me feel better, that I was not the only one fired.

I am so glad you can go back to someplace that appreciates you. Rare! I don't know what's with all this firing and short staffing for money. When do they think it's going to fall apart on them? I guess they have dollar signs instead of eyes.

Good luck!

Red

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Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.
i was fired by email, because i was in a car accident a few weeks ago.

my manager told me that i was a no call no show three times. i was left unconscious and i was not in my home state and visiting family at the time. she also said that i failed my pbds, and was not qualified to work on a med/surg floor.

this is the third hospital that has done negative things to my career. i am so going back to long term care, where i was always appreciated.

thanks for the kind words, it makes me feel better, that i was not the only one fired.

absolutely, totally, unbelievable!!:angryfire

how rude of you not to call from your coma--what the h$ll are these people thinking!!

it's as bad as the old bumper sticker "the beatings will continue until morale imroves"!:wtosts:

hope you're well--and as you said, not alone in the insanity!!

((:redbeathe))

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Specializes in Tele/ICU/MedSurg/Peds/SubAcute/LTC/Alz.

I guess you could say my manager wasn't the best. Plus my recruiter won't even return my phone calls. Anyhow, I am going to do temp nursing, because I don't think I will be able to find a new job since, I was laid off from my first hospital job, the second one was a travel assignment, and well this one, i was fired.

My first job in nursing was in LTC, I was there for a year and a half, and I loved it. I left to get my so called "One Year of Medical Surgical experience." Blah.

Although I have sent some resumes, we will see if it all works out.

But, for now I look like what my recruiter says, "A job hopper". Should I explain myself in a cover letter?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.
I am going to do temp nursing, because I don't think I will be able to find a new job since, I was laid off from my first hospital job, the second one was a travel assignment, and well this one, i was fired. ... But, for now I look like what my recruiter says, "A job hopper". Should I explain myself in a cover letter?

I also have had several jobs over a short period of time, but still get a response from almost every resume I send out. I suggest you explain the situation when you get calls from your resume and are asked about frequent job changes. You couldn't help being laid off, travel assignments are expected to be short-term, and the firing was ridiculous. Temp nursing didn't work for me as I was given a ridiculous pt load my second night at a hospital where staff was quite unhelpful and I was using a new computer documentation system, and then they didn't want me back - and I also was cancelled frequently. Now I'm afraid to do any more temp nursing, for fear that I will be set up to fail and then not be able to get a permanent job at any local hospital. Have you considered doing travel nursing again (something I am now looking into)?

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Specializes in Tele/ICU/MedSurg/Peds/SubAcute/LTC/Alz.
Have you considered doing travel nursing again (something I am now looking into)?

Sure have. My boyfriend is stationed in San Diego, he is in the Navy, but because of a torn ACL he might be discharged, and move back to Pittsburg. In the meantime, I would like to get my ACLS and PALs, so I can do more. Because, you know I want to follow him. :lol2:

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The number of posts and examples of the effects of being fired in this thread shows how devastating and pervasive a problem getting fired can be. I have found, through the years, that it is quite disgusting to put face to face, the stories of those who are unjustly terminated, against those who deserve termination. When an employer takes away the livelihood of a good employee and condones the misdeeds of so many substandard employees, they are saying a lot about their own worth as employees, employers, and human beings. I, for one, have learned to never trust those that I work for. None of them have been there when I needed to pay my rent or buy food, and I am aware that none of them will ever be there when I need them. They prefer to give wages to those who don't deserve their paychecks.

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Specializes in med/surg.
absolutely, totally, unbelievable!!:angryfire

how rude of you not to call from your coma--what the h$ll are these people thinking!!

it's as bad as the old bumper sticker "the beatings will continue until morale imroves"!:wtosts:

hope you're well--and as you said, not alone in the insanity!!

((:redbeathe))

wish i'd said that! i really feel that way.

red

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