Help, I'm feeling stuck

[Cindycin48]

Hi, I have a question about using references from a previous toxic work environment. I have worked on the Med Surg unit for 2 years (2015-2017) and this unit was very toxic. I was bullied non-stop. I finally quit and left for a year. Stupid me went back to the same hospital but to a different unit (PCU), and I was there for 3-4 months. I told the hiring manager I would need training because I had been away from the bedside for so long. They did not provide the training that was promised, especially transferring from MS to PCU.  Again, I suffered from bullying. In both situations, the managers did not care about the bullying. Anyway, I have not worked as a nurse since Aug of 2020 due to depression, fear of being bullied again, etc.  My passion is bedside nursing and I want to return to the bedside, but I do not feel confident using my previous managers as a reference. I also have to explain my gap as well. During the pandemic and after I left the hospital in 2020, I spent most of my time taking classes for my MSN.

Any suggestion on how I can overcome these problems?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

I'm sorry to hear how poorly you were treated at your previous hospital by both the bullies and the managers who did nothing.

 It's understandable you might not feel comfortable using your previous managers as references. If you do choose to list them as references, know that many organizations have a policy that only allows them to share job title and dates of employment. It's also possible they've moved on. 

However, there are other ways to provide evidence of your skills to potential employers.

If you have completed any training or certifications during your time away from the bedside, be sure to highlight those on your resume and during job interviews. This shows your commitment to continuing education and professional development.

Consider taking a refresher course to update your skills. Refresher courses are also good for networking and job leads.

Regarding the gap in your employment history, be honest but concise when explaining it. You can say that you took time off to focus on furthering your education. If you had any family responsibilities during that time, such as caregiving for a loved one, include that.

It's well-known in nursing that toxic environments exist. You don't need to go into detail about the bullying you experienced, but if asked, you can say that you left your previous job due to a toxic work environment, or that it wasn't a good fit.

Be sure to research potential employers to individualize your application and ask questions during the interview process to ensure that the work environment is a good fit for you. 

It's important to prioritize your mental health and well-being in your job search. Good luck with your job search!

[Cindycin48]

Hi Nurse Beth, thank you for your advice. It really did help me. I'm not going to let my past nursing experience control my future. During my gap, I spent time caring for my nieces because my sister passed away and I did take MSN classes. I also got my ECG certificate and I plan on getting my ACLS too. After reading your response, I feel good knowing that I am on the right track :)