Maybe I'm just being melodramatic, but I was just wondering if anybody out there could help me. The short version is that I was fired from my last two jobs (the only jobs I've ever had as an RN) and both times it was my fault and basically for the same reason: insubordination. I won't go into any of the details, but suffice it to say that I was wrong, but not 100% wrong. (Any nurse who's ever worked knows what it's like when a patient or fellow employee complains to the management about them, there's never just one side to the incident.) I have never done anything to hurt a patient and I consider myself to be a fairly intelligent, adaptable and capable clinician. I'm a registered nurse and I have my BSN. Needless to say, I've been plastering the internet with resumes, but here's my problem. I'm already on the outs with the two biggest hospitals in the area, one because of my being fired from my last two jobs as an RN and the other because I committed the egregious act of working for a temporary agency while I was working for them. To make a long story short, they haven't exactly been beating my door down to hire me, even after all the applications I've put in. Does anybody have any advice for me? (Dish out whatever you've got, I can take it...) :confused:
I'm becoming unemployable, please help!!!
Wow, sorry to hear of all your troubles. You strike me a a very intelligent nurse. I wonder how much the temp agency thing has to do with this. Now, maybe a lot of soul-searching is in order. You say that other staff members complain about you, do you know why? Do you need to work on your attitude? (please don't take this personally, I know that I do, and I'm not the most popular in the house.) I don't know how old you are, or how long you've been in nursing. Is a move to another area an option? And, if these problems should come up in the interview process, how will you respond? I would suggest thinking about this before getting defensive. Maybe you could just explain the situation (short and sweet, don't offer any more information than necessary).And then, of course, you'll be asked how you'll deal with this if it comes up in the future (plan your answer, and look the interviewer in the eye.) Also, do you leave your problems outside your patients doors? I think I keep my job because my patients love me. Unfortunately, I don't always impress the other nurses. I haven't answered your questions, but I want you to know that I am concerned. I wish you the very best. Remember this, "when one door closes, another opens", and it's usually for the best. I've learned this from experience. Don't sweat the small stuff, I got a feeling you'll be fine.
WOW!! What a terrible story. Human resource and employers by law, are not allowed to give up derogatory info about you, but there are ways around this. Hopefully you had some friends where you left. Not necessarly a manager, but maybe a charge nurse. Could you list them as a reference for your old jobs. Maybe you could bypass the one who actually fired you when it come to references. If worse come to worse you may need to relocate. I think you need to consider some type of class to learn to control your temper also. Bad things happen all the time, but you need to learn to step back and chose your battle wisely. Find a way to vent that won't get you fired.
FrIgHtNiGhT wrote:Maybe I'm just being melodramatic, but I was just wondering if anybody out there could help me. The short version is that I was fired from my last two jobs (the only jobs I've ever had as an RN) and both times it was my fault and basically for the same reason: insubordination. I won't go into any of the details, but suffice it to say that I was wrong, but not 100% wrong. (Any nurse who's ever worked knows what it's like when a patient or fellow employee complains to the management about them, there's never just one side to the incident.) I have never done anything to hurt a patient and I consider myself to be a fairly intelligent, adaptable and capable clinician. I'm a registered nurse and I have my BSN. Needless to say, I've been plastering the internet with resumes, but here's my problem. I'm already on the outs with the two biggest hospitals in the area, one because of my being fired from my last two jobs as an RN and the other because I committed the egregious act of working for a temporary agency while I was working for them. To make a long story short, they haven't exactly been beating my door down to hire me, even after all the applications I've put in. Does anybody have any advice for me? (Dish out whatever you've got, I can take it...) :confused:
Dear Fright,
You do seem to be in a bind. It's hard to try to help without the specifics but I understand why you don't post them. I sense that it really all boils down to how you deal with difficult situations. As you implied, it is hard to work as a nurse and you can without too much effort, end up as subject of complaint. There are so many aspects of the job that are perception oriented; yours, theirs and so on. What can be done now? You may not like it but I recommend that you get some counseling. To begin with, you might learn better ways to communicate especially under pressure. Couldn't we all stand a little coaching there... Additionally and more importantly, you could sort out your feelings about why you ended up in your current predicament so hopefully, it won't become baggage. Stuff best left behind. You seem to be at a crossroads and I applaud your willingness to search for solutions before acting. It may be that when you're ready to move on, you will have to relocate to get that fresh start. Have you considered traveling?
Good luck now and in the future.
R