A Nursing Shortage??!!

[lisa41rn]

I was offered a position as an RN in a LTC facility 3rd shift. I went in for a few days while waiting for a class I'm taking to finish up and then was going to work full-time there. Well I hated the job. My dream was to find a job where I'm taking the class. It isn't perfect, but I was there years ago and loved it. The nurse manager called me Friday and said she'd give me the position if my references and physical go through okay. I was in heaven hearing that. Well today HR called and said we're in a time crunch as I need to start their program on 6/27. I told her I already had a thorough exam three months ago for the class and she said I could probably have my doctor fill out the form, she could fax it to me and I'd get it right over to him. She said no, not until the references came back okay. I'm a descent person, but years ago I had a boss who gave me a bad reference after leaving. She was a cruel person if she was in a bad mood. I left working for her in good terms and continued visiting her. She was just in a bad mood that day I guess. I didn't get the job because of her. Since then, she's got into major trouble and is now on parole. So, who should really be checking who's references? I realize I'm being paranoid, but why is there such an issue about references in my situation? You can't ask for a better reference than your own staff since I've been there for three months now!! I've never worked as a nurse yet and have been self-employed for over 18 years. I hate relying on others to get anywhere in life. My husband owns a business and finds references useless. People don't put down jobs when they left on bad terms nor do they put down friends who won't give them a good reference. if someone does give a bad reference, I guestion the person giving me that info. What makes them so good? I realize nursing is an important job, but I see many nurses who I wonder how accurate is their opinion?!! Anyway, stupid me, I gave up the first job for this "dream" job and now wonder if I'll get it. I found the HR person not very nice regardless how willing I was to help her to speed things along since time is a factor and she won't be in work tomorrow because she doesn't have a babysitter. Another thing I'm paranoid about is the physical. If they accept my doctor's info that's great. I went through hell and don't want to go through that again. I'm very self conscious about my weight and don't want to deal with it. Plenty of nurses are far heavier than I, but that doesn't matter. I'm sure I'll need some basic stuff done (a urine test), but what else? How thorough are these physicals if you prefer to go to your own doctor? I just feel crushed now as it sounded so great Friday and now I have to wonder.

[pricklypear]

Let me see if I understand your post - You are worried about someone giving you a bad reference? If you didn't list them as a reference, it's not an issue. As far as I know, past employers are only allowed to give the dates you worked for them, and if you left in good standing, or are eligible for rehire. I've had 2 jobs that required physicals - both were provided by doctors associated with the employer - at no cost to me. They were very simple exams. Brief health history, very brief physical exam. Just had to have general blood work and a UA for drugs. I seriously doubt if your weight will be an issue. Unless you have serious physical problems related to your weight that might affect your work.

[lisa41rn]

Thanks for your post. I realize if you don't want someone to give you a bad reference, you don't use them, but I did just that many years ago and that person was just in a bad mood and gave a person I really wanted a job from a bad reference on me!! It always concerned me because I left on very good terms and saw her after I left many times. I thought we were almost "friends." Maybe that's why I don't put a lot of faith in references. I just feel if I'm doing a clinical rotation now, they can actually SEE me working before taking me in as an employee. My tests are all around 90 and I've busted my butt, so I really think that should say a lot. We'll see.

Thanks for the physical info. I'm so paranoid!! I went through so much in February when I had a complete physical that I can't imagine going through all that again. I ended up with a breast biopsy, my PAP came out with a problem, etc, etc. Everything ended up being fine, but I just don't want a full physical again, just yet. It isn't the cost as much as the anxiety. Stupid isn't it? I'm going into the health field and don't want a physical, even if it is free!!! If anything, it gives me a sense of what the patients are going through when they're sick and waiting for results.

Thanks again!!

[pricklypear]

You're welcome... and good luck. I feel the same way about physicals. :) If you ever get a "bad" reference again, you should check into it. Like I said, employers (at least in my state) are not allowed to say ANYTHING subjective when they get that call. It is illegal. Although, I've heard that that may be changing for nursing, since some nurses go from job to job causing problems (errors, pt harm, etc), and new employers don't know about problems before they hire. I think that is a good thing in some respects, but could also lead to a lot of prejudice towards good nurses whose ex-bosses have an axe to grind.