unemployed, pregnant, emotional - HELP!

[emilyy11]

Sorry, this is a really long post..

So I'm a fairly new nurse. I have been an RN for a little over 2 years and was an LPN for a year before that. I worked in a nursing home for a year, then moved to a new city and started working at a county jail.

After being there for about 9 months, we got a new Health Services Administrator and she was a witch. I had asked for 2 days of vacation (after never asking for any before and never even calling in sick). She approved 1 day and said I needed to find someone else to work the other one. I tried and tried to find someone, but we were so short-staffed and it needed to be another RN, as I was the only one scheduled that shift. I went back to her and said that I couldn't find anyone, and that I really needed the day off because I was going to a family reunion 6 hours away to see family I hadn't seen in years. I said that I might have to call in sick, and that I was telling her this in advance so she wouldn't be taken off guard. She told me that if I called in sick that day that she would call the BON on me and get me in trouble for abandonment (which she wouldn't be able to do). I didn't say anything bad, but left abruptly, obviously upset. I was lucky and a new employee had started and he was going to be off orientation just before that day, so he was able to work for me, thank God.

Many people were quitting because of her, leaving us really short staffed. People would also call in sick (conveniently the shift after my usual group of nurses were working) so we were forced to stay for 4 extra hours almost daily. But she would never step foot on the floor herself. There were many times that I had over 100 hours in two weeks, without picking up any shifts. She was working us to the bone.

Eventually, I got tired of it, and decided to try to work for the other correctional facility in town. I got a job there, and put in a 4 week notice. During my 4 weeks, I never called in, and performed my duties as I always did. I never got formally reprimanded for anything and I didn't put anything really nasty on my exit packet. I actually put in my resignation letter that I was able to stay PRN if needed (and i knew they needed it) but was denied. There were a few other people that were quitting at the same time, all giving proper notice. I just found out that we were all placed on a "do-not-rehire" list by the HSA. I found out after I left, that the HSA was fired about a month later.

It's now over a year later, and I've been let go from the prison I was working at for not being a "good fit." I had seen my supervisor at the tail end of my night shift that morning, and she didn't say a word to me. I was sleeping during the day and received a call from her around 1:30 in the afternoon. After saying "hello" she told me that my employment was terminated effective immediately. I asked why, and she said because I wasn't a "good fit" anymore. I've gotten over being fired, but now I'm trying to find another job.

I love working in corrections. My only two options for that in this city are the jail (job 1) and the prison (job 2). I've noticed that the jail that I'm on the "do-not-rehire" list at is hiring like crazy. I put in an application as soon as I found out I was fired. The facility has almost all new management and employees since I worked there last. So I thought I might have a chance. The problem is that they are managed by a for-profit correctional healthcare service, who micromanages their facilities. I emailed the new HSA, asking if he had had a chance to review my application, and he said that he had and that he would let me know if they wanted to do an interview (which was 3 weeks ago). Since then I found out about being on the do-not-rehire list and they have since posted like 4 more Nursing Jobs (there are only 9 full-time nursing slots at this facility). Most correctional facilities love people that have experience, because it's tough to find people that actually like working with inmates and that know HOW to even just talk to them. I would love to go back to work there

I started to think about moving to a different city, and have actually interviewed and gotten offers to tour the facilities. My issue is now that I just found out I'm pregnant for the first time and it would be nice to stay close to family and friends, instead of starting fresh in a city 4 hours away. I have an interview at a mental health hospital in my current city on Monday, but my hearts not in it. I'm also waiting on a state prison in the other city to let me know this week about an interview I had a few weeks ago. I said before that i would take this job if offered because it has amazing benefits and seems like a great place to work, but that was before I found out I was pregnant.

I'm emotional, pregnant, unemployed and I'm sooooo stressed out about not knowing what's going on in my life. Do I see if I can get taken of the do-not-rehire list at the jail to do something I know I love? Do I settle for the mental health job, if offered? Do I move 4 hours away to a job that I would love, but it's far away from friends and family?

[MierKat]

Wow, that's a lot to handle at once.

My suggestion is to look at the situation dispassionately and logically which may help counteract some of the stress of the job loss and pregnancy. Take a deep breath and outline your options. I think one of the most important things to do is to talk to your friends and former co-workers to find out about openings locally and to perhaps find out more information about the no-rehire status. Perhaps you can find the right person to talk to and explain that the no-rehire status should be lifted because of the situation at the time etc. If there are other managers or coworkers who can back up your explanation that may help. But sometimes big corporations will not budge on things like this.

Regarding taking a job you don't like - you may have to do that unless you want to move. And given that you are pregnant and need a job you may have to make a difficult choice to take a less-than-perfect job until after the baby is born. Only you can decide that. Looks like you're in a rural area which makes it harder.

Don't give up on the openings that you've interviewed.

Good luck!

[emilyy11]

I actually got an offer 5 hours after I interviewed at the local place I interviewed at today. I'm thinking I'll take it. Maybe a break from corrections will do me good.

Thank you for your response!

[TriciaJ, RN]

I think you're on the right track. There's worse things than taking a less-than-ideal job. You may find yourself liking it more than you expected and never look back.

At the very least, it's food, rent and insurance. It buys you time until you can sort out the corrections situation. Good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy.

[Pca_8585]

Multitasking. Only skimmed your post. I'll reread and post a more useful reply when work dies down. For now, you'll be in my prayers.