Help

[BabyNurse563]

Hi everyone,

 

As my username suggests, I'm a recent nursing school graduate from the class of 2024. Before that, I worked in healthcare as a tech and medical assistant. I recently lost a position at a large, well-known hospital before completing my residency. Just to be clear—it had nothing to do with patient safety or malpractice. There was a leadership change, and the new manager didn't seem to have the time or patience to support my learning. I was passed between preceptors almost weekly, and there was no educator in place to guide me. Rumors were spread, and the whole experience was disorganized and discouraging.

 

I was officially let go in March. Since then, I've been to interview after interview, even returning to the hospital where I worked as a PCA for three years without any issues. I left that job on good terms after giving proper notice because I thought I was moving on to something better.

 

Now, even when interviews seem to go well, I either get ghosted or hear they've chosen someone else. It's been two months with no job offers. I don't know if it's because I didn't finish the residency, if something is being said behind the scenes, or if it's just bad luck.

 

My current references include someone I know is vouching for me, and a former manager at the hospital that fired me—but she left before I did and always spoke highly of me. I'm at a loss. I just want to get back to work and keep building my career, but right now I feel stuck.

 

Any advice would mean a lot.

 

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

My recommendation:

Call your old manager and directly ask: Do you have a problem giving me a good review?  See how she responds. You may need to put someone else down on your references. Also, she should be confronted. Giving bad reviews is never okay if you never disciplined the employee.