Need job advice... PLEASE!

[fengshuiheaven]

I have a unique situation.... I am graduating with my master's degree as a nurse practitioner next month.

I've been an RN for almost 10 years, have had various positions in different settings. Last fall, I left a position that I really liked, but it was a position where it was mostly administrative, and took a job at a local hospital to get back into the "patient setting" to better prepare me for working with patients again. I accepted the position on the contingency that the position was temporary, until I graduated, and also if I could be scheduled around my class/ training times. I was promised a schedule that would be mindful of my academic obligations since I would be a full time student.

Well, the job did not turn out as planned, we were often short staffed, the patients were very sick, and it was stressful. I could handle that ok, but I found it difficult to work with the manager on the schedule. I informed my manager that I could never work on certain days due to classes/ training. I had a fairly set schedule for 2-3 months and then out of no where was scheduled on a day that I told them I couldn't work. As a result, I missed a shift, and was fired. I have been beyond devastated about this for many reasons. I've never been fired from a job in my life. I'm an honors student with a 3.85 gpa and have always have had flawless references. I luckily still had my foot in the door at a local clinic, where I've been working for 4 years on an "on call" basis, but still had picked up hours there now and again. I immediately started working there again.

Now that I'm graduating next month as a nurse practitioner, I'm not sure if I should list this recent experience on my resume. I feel that because it was only a temporary job that I was at for less than 4 months, it isn't relevant to my search to be a nurse practitioner, I have no gaps in my employment, and because if feel that if I disclose that I was fired due to an attendance issue that my application won't even be considered.

I did recently apply for a job and have had 2 interviews and things have gone great. I didn't disclose this recent "bout of employment". I was not asked if I had ever been terminated, nor was that question ever asked during my 2 interviews. So I kind of feel like it is a "don't ask don't tell" situation.... I listed my current/ previous experience for the past 7 years and provided them with copies of my performance appraisals dating back for the past 7 years. My references are all excellent. (except for this little black cloud).....

btw- the recent job where I was fired from is also in the middle of a grievance hearing. I was informed by union counsel that they violated the union contract and feels that it is a strong case, and I could have the negative info removed from my record. Which is also another reason why I didn't want to disclose it.

However, I don't want to get caught in a lie 6 months down the road and then get fired for lying. Is it best to fess up? Or leave it off? I'm really torn.

[JBudd, MSN]

Most applications say "list all employment", so I would disclose it. Make it clear you left because they did fulfill their end of the contract, not for any practice issues. I wouldn't wait for it to come back and bite me in the backside; especially if the union is behind you for lack of cause.

JMHO

I personally wouldn't want that hanging over my head. Under reasons for leaving, just put "contract dispute". That doesn't say you were fired, and it is the truth.

[fengshuiheaven]

Thank you for the advice. I'll keep that in mind for future positions to apply to. However, I'm really worried about the position that I just had a second interview for. I feel like I have a great shot at it, but I can't disclose that I witheld that position since I've already had 2 interviews. Do you suggest that I withdrawl my application for consideration?

[JBudd, MSN]

Absolutely not! Just write a letter to add to your applicaiton, that you weren't sure about needing to report this as there was still an ongoing dispute, but that you don't want to go into a job without them having all the facts. That way you aren't hiding anything. If it is going to be a problem with the new job, better now than later, and then having a to report having lost a job because you falsified your application.

[fengshuiheaven]

I'm wondering how often this type of thing happens..... ??? And how do employers find out about something like this, when it was such a short period of time? I guess that I wanted to get several opinions on the difference between listing ALL employment versus RELEVANT employment.... I've got a lot to think about.

[steve40]

First of all, I want to congratulate you on your accomplishments. I have recently become a RN after years of hard work and I commend you for what you have done. I can certainly empathize with your situation as I was in a similar one many years back. I did disclose the information to one employer and they over-looked it. I think that given your circumstances and being as reputable as you are, any employer worth considering would understand your situation. Good luck!

[fengshuiheaven]

My dilema NOW is that I've already had 2 great interviews and have a feeling that they will offer me this job. I'm so afraid that if I tell them now, they won't consider me for the job anymore. Friends at the same level as me say that I should just leave the situation be, because technically I didn't "lie".... they never ASKED if I had ever been terminated. And, it was a temporary position while I was a grad student..... I've had many many people tell me that they do NOT list every job they've had, especially per-diem or temporary jobs because they take up a lot of room on resumes, etc. The application I completed only gave THREE spaces for previous employement. I wanted those spaces to be filled with the 3 major positions that I've had in the last 7 years that have given me RELEVANT experience with the particular population that I would be working with. I'm now almost regretting going to graduate school, it seems like nothing good is coming out of it!