Been at Job 9 Mons, Work Suddenly Calls References?

[SunnyPupRN]

I returned to nursing after a leaving for personal reasons [divorce, custody interference, long distance and long term courts] - and went through voc rehab and took nursing refreshers to come back. I was super nervous that I had lost my skills and simple ability to communicate because I felt continually traumatized by what had transpired [which I can't detail, but I spent all my worldly goods, lost my home in legal $. It was worth it.]

To my surprise, I get a job offer with the first company I interview, even though it's not my specialty. There was no real interview. Just a skill set demonstration, a level 2 background check, and an offer. I accepted, and I've had no corrections, but some anxiety for 9 months. Suddenly, a friend calls and tells me that this very job, a person I am familiar with at the office called to do a reference check. Of course I'm surprised - why, now? I've only called out of work once for illness, and took myself off the schedule in advance for three weeks because I'm per diem, which is allowed but other than that there have been a few times when the client released me early because they didn't need nursing services that day [private contract.] All permitted.

Other than that, the only thing I can think of...which wasn't even a bad thing on my part...was that I was checking the emergency supplies on site and found that the O2 connection was incorrect and alerted my manager.

Am I over thinking this, or is there some reason why work would suddenly be calling my references? Thanks :)

[ottersloveoysters]

That is really bizarre. All I can say is that if your employer has serious concerns about your work performance or a mistake you made, they don't call your references. They talk to you directly or terminate you.

[crazin01]

I agree with otter.

I recently started a new position, and the company utilizes a third party to check references and complete all requirements during recruiting process. There were times during the two month recruitment process, I emailed & called every few days, with no reply from this third party company. THEN all of a sudden, all the nurses in my orientation group (meeting centrally, to cover a larger geographical area with numerous outpatient clinics) would contact all us new nurses to complete things by the end of the month.

This one recruiter, with very poor communication & organization skills waited til the last 2 days of the month, and then hounded us to complete everything before the end of the month.

Not quite the same, but is it possible your manager/hiring person forgot to complete you reference check and now that somebody realized that, they're just trying to "dot all the I's, cross the T's" kind of deal? Nine months is a substantial amount of time for this to be the situation, but it sounds like you've done nothing that would make them concerned, in regards to your nursing capabilities.

I would also worry, because that's my nature. If your relationship with your manager is good, maybe just ask? "my old co-worker mentioned she got a call for a reference check recently. Everything is alright?" I would imagine the reply would be everything is fine and then you can rest easy.

I vote for the overthinking option, as I would be doing, just because my mind likes to be extra critical. Hopefully they give you a answer quickly, for your sake. If you do ask, let us know what they say.

Good luck & congrats on getting back into nursing, after all you went thru!

[SunnyPupRN]

I agree with otter.

I recently started a new position, and the company utilizes a third party to check references and complete all requirements during recruiting process. There were times during the two month recruitment process, I emailed & called every few days, with no reply from this third party company. THEN all of a sudden, all the nurses in my orientation group (meeting centrally, to cover a larger geographical area with numerous outpatient clinics) would contact all us new nurses to complete things by the end of the month.

This one recruiter, with very poor communication & organization skills waited til the last 2 days of the month, and then hounded us to complete everything before the end of the month.

Not quite the same, but is it possible your manager/hiring person forgot to complete you reference check and now that somebody realized that, they're just trying to "dot all the I's, cross the T's" kind of deal? Nine months is a substantial amount of time for this to be the situation, but it sounds like you've done nothing that would make them concerned, in regards to your nursing capabilities.

I would also worry, because that's my nature. If your relationship with your manager is good, maybe just ask? "my old co-worker mentioned she got a call for a reference check recently. Everything is alright?" I would imagine the reply would be everything is fine and then you can rest easy.

I vote for the overthinking option, as I would be doing, just because my mind likes to be extra critical. Hopefully they give you a answer quickly, for your sake. If you do ask, let us know what they say.

Good luck & congrats on getting back into nursing, after all you went thru!

Thanks, and yes, I agree, it seems strange. What you say seems to make sense....about crossing t's and dotting i's. Thanks for your input.

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

I had been working for a small home health company that emailed me asking if I could give them another reference to verify since the one I provided used another company to provide information about former employees. This was after a few months of already working for them. The funny thing was that I was referred to them by the client when they switch home care providers. A few days later they told me never mind, they'd use the mother as my reference...so weird...

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

HR just hadn't gotten around to it, and it's probably some sort of required thing.

[caliotter3]

Worked for one employer for a few years before they decided to do a credit check. Apparently they had been in a big hurry at the beginning and decided to play catch-up with their hiring policies. Probably something like this. Or someone heard something about you or got an inkling they wanted to follow up on. To alleviate further anxiety, ask them about it. You will be able to tell from the response whether you should be concerned.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Congrats on getting back to nursing after a personal trauma, been there did that. It was a difficult process to return.

You need to get this off your mind. You have been there 9 months now, you should have had a performance evaluation. If not, request one.