Have upcoming interview, but not eligible for rehire at past job

Nurses Professionalism

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Hi everyone!

I have an upcoming interview for a RN position. I feel that I'm qualified and have the needed experience for the job. The only thing I'm nervous about, though, is that I am considered non-rehirable from my last place of employment.

Basically, at my last RN job I was shy of full time (and we were still on 8 hour shifts). I was getting ready to have a baby and needed hours reduced after having the baby due to childcare reasons. On maternity leave, after being told by my NM that my hours really couldn't be reduced and I realized I could no longer work because of that, I resigned from my position. I still had 6 weeks left on my maternity leave and wanted them to have as much time possible to rehire so I made it effective immediately, thinking I was really giving 6 weeks notice (as it was 6 weeks until I was expected to be back at work). Since I made it effective immediately, it was considered not giving 2 weeks notice and therefore I am not rehirable.

Do I explain this in the upcoming interview as a forewarning? Or don't bring it up unless they do? I don't want them to come across that I'm not rehirable and shy away from it. I have stellar references from my coworkers, who all appreciated me giving as much time as possible for someone to be hired to replace me (and they all understood my predicament with having to leave, too). I guess I'm not sure what to do and I don't want it to hurt my chances of being hired.

Thanks!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I would be up front and proactive in addressing it. The reason is understandable - and you should ALSO have a statement of what you learned from the experience.

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Agree with the above. If you don't bring it up, they will find out on their checking and you won't have a chance to explain when they eliminate you from consideration.

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Thank you both for your responses! If you don't mind me asking, how should I go about bringing it up? I've been wracking my brain the last few days trying to figure out a professional way on how to introduce it and I haven't got a clue!

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

I think you should try to get this worked out with your previous employer.

You dispute this status.

Consult a lawyer if necessary.

Also, I would not bring it up at the interview. If there is a box to check off that you are not eligible for rehire, then do so.

If you are asked to explain, you say that there was a misunderstanding around FMLA, and you are disputing your status as non-eligible for rehire.

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