Bad reference from prior employer?

It's a tough market for nursing right now. While it's not out of the question that your previous employer may be talking with future employers and giving a bad reference, I would not discount the poor market yet either. It sounds like your last position was eliminated due to budgeting while the need for the position was still very real. Unfortunately, the company wanted you to do some of the same tasks without the previous title and benefits.

If you are interested in knowing what happened with the interviews contact the people who interviewed you and ask them. They may be able to give you some feedback as to why you were not chosen, or they may not tell you anything. It's a rough market out there for all nurses not just new graduates. Bottom line is you should not have left your previous job without having secured another opportunity. Good luck.

Could be that you left a job without having another lined up? Many employers wanna see that you need a job/a job needs you.

Yes, I did leave before I could secure another position. I really thought I was a "hands in" with the position I had applied for because of my experience and education. Looking back I am pretty sure they are just promoting from within. I did not want to stay where I was because the expectations just kept getting more and I was feeling like they were pushing me over the edge. I had enough, and it was time to go while I could with a positive record. I know it was not a smart thing to do, but believe me, I am learning from this experience, and I want to find the position that will give me some personal rewards. No one wants to be in a dead end job and that was where I was going to be if I had stayed.

The last place I was in was a nursing home that, come to find out later, had a terrible reputation in terms of working environment...management very poor, people getting written up/reported to state for the most ridiculous things, tons of work to do with no support or appreciation...it was indeed a very unsafe place to work. I gave notice even though I had nothing to go to, except an on call job that gave me a lot of hours because some people went on vacation. I had applied to another facility while I was employed there and was asked to give a reference from that nursing home....I gave the name of my immediate supervisor and I'm wondering if she had said something unfavorable because I never heard back...the only thing they could conceivably complain about was me not getting out on time (not unusual at that company with all the work we had)....but even so, my understanding is that they are only supposed to give out the dates you worked and whether or not your are eligible for re-hire!? But in response to your question, I know that if you google "reference checking service" there are companies out there that will portray themselves as a prospective employer and check your references for you to see what they say. I have thought of doing this and probably will.