Previous Job interview question

[RN-Ella]

Hello everyone! I love to come to this website and read about things that I have questions on...

Like a lot of other people on here, I am a new grad, recently took the NCLEX and passed it on my first try! Graduated top of my class, and I already had a bachelors from another school.

My question is, I am in the process now of applying to different places and I am not sure of what to do or say about one thing: my most recent employer.

I used to work in a LTC facility for almost 3 years, I loved my job and even tough it was hard, and long hours (sometimes I would work from 7am to 11pm sats and sundays) I still loved taking care of the people that lived that, also I got along really well with my co-workers, it was almost like a little family. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end I guess, well, to make the story short, the company I worked got bought out by another company (this happened many times), but this time, a new manager (Director) came in and little by little started to fire a lot of people, the working conditions got unsafe (not enough staff available, supplies, etc), and you could tell everyone was on the fence about who was going to be fired next. Well, after a lot of other people got fired, I guess it was my turn, I got called into the directors office, and over the weekend they had written me up for 3 different things, all of which were ridiculous, but because the new LPNs had written me up I guess it was true. The director stated "unfortunately" because there are 3 write ups we have to let you go!!! I was like "are you kidding me?" it was like they set me up! Of course I didnt let them do what they wanted with me and my file, and I filled out the reports with my own version of the stories, but I was still fired.

Now here is my dilemma, when I am applying for jobs now as a RN I put them down as a place of work, because I had that job for almost 3 years, but when the little box asks "may we contact this employer" I have been putting "no". I have been giving my references, which include the manager that worked there when I was there, who was also fired before me, and the name of one of the RNs that still works there (who knew how good of a worker I was). How bad is it that I am saying no to contacting that employer? And if I go on an interview and they ask me what happened there? what should I say??? my manager who is awesome told me to just say that there was a change in management, but does that sound like enough? I almost wish I would have quit, then i could have said I felt that the conditions were unsafe, or I had too much going on with school, anything before they felt the need to come up with excuses to get rid of me...so what should I do? what would you do??

All input is appreciated, thanks!

[RN-Ella]

no ideas yet??

[Leelee2]

My advice would be to check the box may we contact, Yes. You do not have anything to be ashamed of.

[nobhill]

Check the box, because not doing so indicates that there was a problem.

If the employer is smart and doesn't want to be liable for defamation and/or blacklisting, they won't say anything negative [what the laws are depend on your state.] Generally, for liability purposes, a former employer won't say anything, other than verifying dates of employment and sometimes whether the person is rehirable.

You should also explain to interviewers, if asked, that the people who had the most input about your performance are no longer at the company, since it was sold, and provide the interviewer with their contact info as you have been doing.

Good luck!

--Nobhill [employment lawyer switching to nursing & just passed CNA exam

TODAY! :) ]

[dedicate]

hi sorry I'm new to this website. how do I post a new thread?