What to do after being fired.

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I would like some advice please. I worked in a rural hospital for 6 years. The unit was very busy most of the time. There was no real team work there. Most of the nurses that worked there did not make rounds and did not even help those of us who were very busy. I saw long personal phone calls made, or nurses sitting having "coffee break" time for extended lengths of time, and some who refused to help the busier nurses when asked. This became very frustrating and it came out in me to the point where I was written up for my "temper problem". I was already in counselling for another issue in my personal life, so I decided to go to what was called "anger management counselling". I put all the tools to use immediately, transferred to an LTAC, and had no complaints for almost 3 years. While there I saw nurses who broke P&P jeapordizing patient safety and other unprofessional things going on too long to list here. Too many people complaining about the other things, coupled with the patient safety issue led me to speak with the DON, who in turn spoke with the nurses involved. I began getting looks and attitudes after that. I began to be verbally abused myself by these other nurses, but did not want to make waves, so I said nothing, thinking it would blow over, and besides, I had learned great things in counselling-I didn't need to react. A major transition came, DON's changed, and it was about 2 weeks later that I was called in to the nursing office, handed a paper that said I had exploded one day and I was being fired. I was told they received a letter about this "blow up" and because of my "history" I was fired. Only problem was, I was innocent of the charges. It didn't matter that I had had not one complaint from anyone until I reported the wrong nurses-those that put patients in danger and acted in an unprofessional manner. These nurses knew others who worked in the other hospital and had been given information about my history. I defended myself saying the allegations were false and it was all too conveniant to me that soon after complaining about the nurses and the change in management, that I am being fired. I guess I angered the wrong nurses. Now I work for a nurse staffing agency, get cancelled quite a bit, and still can't get hired on in a staff position. Some say I am being blackballed. I keep putting my applications in and getting "declined for interview". What can I do to "sell" myself again, to let prospective employers know I'm not a bad employee? I can't survive much longer.

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Specializes in Transplant/Surgical ICU.

What history are you referring to? Drug abuse? Could they have reported you to the board of nursing? Don't have any words of advice other than stay strong

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kay,

i feel for you i really do. It sucks being the victim of other people when you yourself has done nothing wrong. I would keep on trying places LTC's and so on.

And never talk bad about your last employer. But don't you want to get revenge on those Nurses? it would make you feel better but might land you in worse trouble. And i know what being black balled is I live in a rural community myself and i have friends who are so called black balled for No reason just because they didn't fit in.

You may want to think about going out side your town even if it's 45 mins a way you might have a shot there. Thats what my friends did and they landed great jobs One is a school nurse and loves it and has never looked back

I'm sorry this happen to you really but don't let it get you down. Have a great 4th of July. Think outside your box and outside of your town. Good Luck.. I'm sure your a good caring nurse... Anthony

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You got your coworkers angry and they waited for the perfect time to get even. Surely you can't be surprised. And yes, you are being blacklisted. According to the employer, you were the problem, not the problem behaviors you reported. Just keep this in mind for the next time you have a job and coworkers that are not perfect. I'm not taking their side, only stating what needs to be considered in most work situations.

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God bless the small rural hospitals, they sure can have a long reach can't they?

You may not be being blacklisted, it may just be the economy sucks. I recently had to really work to find a job. I had no real reason to be worried either. I started to get really paranoid anyway and called my references to make sure everything was ok. Everything was, and then all the sudden I had an interview and a job after 3 months of looking. Keep your chin up. I think it's great you did the counseling and anger mgmt thing and use it in your daily life.

I wonder if you went to the other side of anger where I am. I used to ignore it, think it would blow over....well some bullies see that as Open Season (and I'm not talking the cute lil movie by the same title) It is necessary to quietly confront a bully, by pulling aside each person individually for a person to person talk about what is going on. If it's a rumor, I have learned to just state to people in conversation, oh by the way, there's a weird rumor going around that....blah, blah, blah, it's not true, if you hear it, could you pass that along and let them know to please stop saying that. Usually it works.

I would suggest calling the HR of your company and hospital to see what they release re: hire re-hire information. Most companies will only give dates employed. In a small town, this can be circumvented an nsg is a small fish pond as it is, even in larger cities.

If you have an application that asks if you've ever been fired, and your LTAC doesn't provide that info, I wouldn't either. But in interview, if you feel you need to bring it up for your own ethical beliefs, you can present it as something that happened to you, what you did about it, and how it will effect your practice and interpersonal skills in the future. I think most people want to hear that someone is concerned, responsible and learning from life.

If you can stand it, consider driving up to an hour to a larger city where you can start fresh and not feel so pressured and judged. Good luck, I'll be thinkin of you.

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I have to agree with caliotter3 in that it does appear as though you are being blacklisted. You always have to be aware of what you say and who you are saying it to. As much as a co-worker may not be pulling his weight, you have to ask how much that action, or lack thereof, is affecting your duties. If you get involved and tell management, then you are becoming the whistle blower and may in turn be putting yourself in the spotlight, when it wasn't your issue in the first place. I have found sometimes in this setting it is helpful when the patient reports the behavior to management. Then you are not the one in the hot seat. It is easy to approach someone you are supervising and inquire about the behavior and state consequences, but someone that is your equal, that is different, and in truth, not your job to oversee. What was the patient safety issue?

Back to the issue at hand, I would pursue places closer to the city...

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Specializes in Hospice, LTC, Rehab, Home Health.

:hug: sorry- no words of wisdom - just:hug:

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Since this is your first post on AN.com, lynkay, I want to welcome you. I sense that you are seeking kindred spirits who may be able to identify with you, give you answers, direction, or something else that could buoy you on with hope.

About 20 years ago, I experienced a situation similar to yours. I was working ER and Med/Surg in a small Community Hospital when I had a disagreement with a chronically negative Nurse. I was subsequently terminated. I applied for umemployment benefits, was denied, and eventually went through an adjudication process. It was determined that I had been wrongly terminated, since, during this disagreement, I had not raised my voice, used any profanity, or made any threatening statements or gestures. The Official presiding over the adjudication process said that disagreements are expected to take place in the work environment and are not grounds for termination.

Unlike your story, at the time of the adjudication process, I had found a better position, so I could just move on. You are probably feeling discouraged and presently see no light at the end of this tunnel. My advice to you is to do what you're doing and keep on working on dealing with this problem. You are presently working toward a solution, in that you are telling your story, gathering data, and seeking advice. Eventually, you will have your forces gathered in order to make another atttack on the workplace. It may take several tries, but you will ultimately land on your feet.

It has been said, "Where there's a will, there's a way." Focusing on the conjecture that you've been "blackballed" is allowing a stumbling block to impede your progress. If you want to truly "sell yourself", focus on the fact that you are a capable Nurse with quite a bit of experience.

I have been in Nursing for 28 years. I have been terminated from three different Facilities and have left several on bad terms. I had to kiss a lot of Warhols before I found finally my Rembrandt. But I perservered and have been working in a position I truly enjoy for 8 years now.

In the past Some said that I,too, had a temper problem. I found a way to deal with it, and you will too.

Don't get mad. Get emphatic. Or, strongly expressive.

The best to you and good luck in your endeavor.

Dave

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Specializes in FNP.

Move. Get a fresh start with new faces who haven't already made up their minds about you. Good luck.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, corrections, +.

Getting fired is devastating. However I'd venture that it is pretty common in nursing. Part of the shark tank mentality that we allow to prevail. I bet a show of hands would turn up greater than 50%.

Some take it as a badge of honor, because what it generally means is you stood up for something or someone and management didn't like it.

That being said I understand there are some heinous nurses that shouldn't be allowed to care for plants, much less people. But I'd venture that a large precentage of nurse firings are personality related.

Me? I'd have two hands up.

Interestingly enough (and maybe to inspire hope) I was fired from the county nursing home because I "wasn't a good fit" when a new DON came on board. Yes I was under 6 months employed. I now work at the county correctional facilty and have for years. So it was a blessing in disguise because I love what I do. Good luck. Focus on the positive.

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You got your coworkers angry and they waited for the perfect time to get even. Surely you can't be surprised. And yes, you are being blacklisted. According to the employer, you were the problem, not the problem behaviors you reported. Just keep this in mind for the next time you have a job and coworkers that are not perfect. I'm not taking their side, only stating what needs to be considered in most work situations.

Really??? I always thought that we were supposed to be patient advocates. If someones actions were endangering patient safety you can bet your a** that I would report them as well. If you feel that you were wrongfully fired you should get a lawyer.

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You've received some excellent advice already, so I just want to add that I'm sorry this happened to you and don't let it ruin your self-esteem. With the nursing glut it is now all too easy for facilities to fire nurses, even the best nurses, any time they please, in the knowledge that dozens of hopefuls will be lining up for the vacancy immediately.

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