Bad reference-Help

Nurses General Nursing

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Over 2 yrs ago I was let go because of a 3 day callout...3 occassions in 60 days. My mother had gotten very sick.

The facility claimed it was a new policy, however I believe out new DON wanted the position to be open so she could bring her own nurses with her to her new facility. And thats basically what happened. I worked there for 5 yrs...I was never written up, no patient related or med errors ever. never called into the office nothing. Outstanding on all evaluations, honestly never had any problems. I fought this termination and lost. Know on two previous attempts to gain employment I didn't get the job. I hate to leave them off my resume because it is such a big gap, I even tried telling my potential interviewer ahead of time to give my story. "I still didn't get the job" When I do follow ups, I am told I wasn't hired because of the statement "not illegible for rehire" Would you continue to use them as reference.?????

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I think you have to, but is there anyone else you could put as your reference from that facility? Good luck to you.

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I would personally just leave it off my referance and state I was caring for my Mom like you said .Or you could have a friend call to see if they state anything bad If the do anything other than no rehire Or negitive about you You can get them in trouble with the state.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Infusion, peds, informatics.

unfortunately, you can't leave it off your application. that would be considered dishonest. you could be terminated if they found out you had deliberately left it off. you could leave it off of a resume, but i don't know of any nursing job that will just accept a resume and never ask for an application.

like someone above me said, i think the best thing for you to do is to give a separate reference contact from that facility, who can attest to your good skills and work ethic. maybe the previous don?

but unless you live in one of the few areas of the country where nursing jobs are few and far between, i think that if you send out enough applications, you will find something. it may not be what you want, but work there a while while you are looking for what you do want. that way you can build your references back up. (i know in the area i work in, i have seen many nurses who are "do not rehire" at one facility working at another down the street).

good luck.

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If they are blackballing her they don't have the right as a hospital to do that either. (Sounds just like what there doing.) I would sure check Or have a friend check to see if that DON was staying within The law of what she allowed to say .A lot of places don't stay within The law and should be taken down a peg .Depends on there state law.I would be looking up the labor commission in my state. finding out the exact law

Technically she was taking care of her ill mother and when the hospital would ask I would explain to them in the interview . Not before on the application just what happen and why I left it off That she wanted a chance to explain .That this is not a current problem .

If you live in a small place like WY jobs are few and far between.

I personally ,when I hire CNA's and care givers base it on total job performance where they worked before . I don't take the word of just one company or hospital or one single person .People are people and they have conflicts with one another .Some you get along with others you don't .

Everybody deserves a chance Nobody gets along with everybody I personally would wait until the interview ,before I said a word about it.She deserves a chance to explain. If she could get documentation from that time period from mom's MD that would also help her cause in applying for a job.

Good luck

Happy

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

I have one company and that gives me a bad reference. When I left the boss had a policy of, if you leave I will never give anyone a good reference. I told people that in the interview that if you left you could not be rehired no matter how good your performance was.

I had another time in my life when I cared for my terminally ill father. Took a year and a half for the poor man to die. I worked two full time jobs and helped with him until the last 5 or 6 months and slowly cut back until the last 2 months I had to leave both. I tell people that in the interview right up front.

I would do it again if I had to. If an employer does not "get that" I don't want to work for them anyway.

renerian

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You are so right, I probably need to be more active in disclosing the situation in detailed. I feel I have been too vague when explaining myself....It is so embarassing....I was told that I got an exellent recommendation. "one of the best nurses we had" however she is not eligible for rehire??? does that make sense. As a manager I would be cautious as well. At my current job they do not disclose weither someone is eligible for rehire or not.....Just title/salary and dates of hire....

I broke policy when I called-off more than 2 times in 60 days. If that's their policy I am guilty and would do it again (for my mother). I hate that I have to justify myself.....It was my mother for godness sakes...the women that gave me life.....When I attracted scarlet fever as a child did my mother lose her job when she stayed home with me for days at a time, NO.....did she have to explain herself for staying up all night caring for me....NO but I must except we live in a different time. Maybe my performance will out weight my attendance.

Just to let you know I spoke to my potential employer yesterday and she said she is still interviewing....that I did get an outstanding recommendation from the Administrator of the facility....but, she was curious about the 'not eligible status"........So far it is up in the air....we will see......

thanks for sharing.....

I have one company and that gives me a bad reference. When I left the boss had a policy of, if you leave I will never give anyone a good reference. I told people that in the interview that if you left you could not be rehired no matter how good your performance was.

I had another time in my life when I cared for my terminally ill father. Took a year and a half for the poor man to die. I worked two full time jobs and helped with him until the last 5 or 6 months and slowly cut back until the last 2 months I had to leave both. I tell people that in the interview right up front.

I would do it again if I had to. If an employer does not "get that" I don't want to work for them anyway.

renerian

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Good for you :) just disclose in the interview, not before so at least you can get your foot in the door .My Dear daughter inlaw had to leave her job because my grandson was so sick and they were giving her a bad rap .

So I gave her this same advice .This is what she did and ended up getting a great job .The man who hired her was so understanding. When she got a chance to explain and hired her because she could show she was a caring person The kind he was looking for.

Good luck ,just explain

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
you are so right, i probably need to be more active in disclosing the situation in detailed. i feel i have been too vague when explaining myself....it is so embarassing....i was told that i got an exellent recommendation. "one of the best nurses we had" however she is not eligible for rehire??? does that make sense.
i don't think there's anything 'sketchy' about your story. your former employer, well that's a little sketchy.
i broke policy when i called-off more than 2 times in 60 days.

there would be no one left at my job if that were the policy!!! btw, couldn't they re-arrange your schedule when your mother was sick, or take some emergency vacation or personal days? (of course hindsight is 20/20).

just to let you know i spoke to my potential employer yesterday and she said she is still interviewing....that i did get an outstanding recommendation from the administrator of the facility....but, she was curious about the 'not eligible status.

did she tell you she was curious about the remark? and what was your response? if you truly feel that is the only reason thy let you go, i would suggest you have the potential employer ask your former employer (with your permission).

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When I have applied for nursing positions recently,there has been a box to check whether or not you want the interviewer to contact your former employer,is that on your application forms? then you can just give a reason why you don't want them called ,doesn't have to be really detailed. I have found that if you have a written eval available and present that to your prospective employer that is usually sufficient.

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

I worked for another company that had a policy/in writing-that if you ever left you were not eligble for rehire no matter what.

renerian

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That is crazy, I guess they make sure you don't quit.....

I worked for another company that had a policy/in writing-that if you ever left you were not eligble for rehire no matter what.

renerian

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