Help! What to write on reference space of application?

[MillionReasons]

I wanted to apply for a position. The facility happens to be a government facility. In the application there was a part where it asks for the contacts of the director/supervisor of the unit i used to work at... and there were checkboxes that gives them the ability to call the management, regardless. Its sad. I dont want any of the management to be contacted. Im sure they will throw me under the bus. I resigned properly but the director and supervisor did not have positive reactions. I complained about them to the CNO before I resigned because of the way they ran things. They are known to be vindictive, hence why i waited to resign before complaining about them to the cno. So, this has left me paranoid.

Can I have some advice?

Thanks

[Davey Do]

I wanted to apply for a position. The facility happens to be a government facility.

Not to sound sarcastic, MillionReasons, but do ya think the government only hires people with perfect histories?

Okay. Now that I've got that out, I'll give you my perspective and thoughts having had a history of working for a government facility:

The government only wants to look good. They don't need to be good. They're big on following protocol, dotting the i's and crossing the t's, but not seeing the forest for the trees.

In other words, be honest and if asked, say what you said here in regards to your leaving your former workplace and I think you'll be fine.

Honesty still is always is the best policy.

Good luck and the very best to you, MillionReasons!

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

I don't really have great advice for you going forward, other than to say are there other references that will give you a positive evaluation? Hope that they ask to contact them.

To others out there, though, remember that nursing is a small world, and you can't burn bridges, even if it is with a supervisor you can't stand. OP, Good luck in the future.

[cleback]

Do they also ask for personal references? If so, list a few coworkers from that job. And then if you get any interview, take your last review from that job (assuming it's ok).

I also assume you had other jobs before that one for which they could contact supervisors.

In short, I doubt leaving one box unchecked for one job will sink you. If it is a roadblock, work someplace else for a few years, build positive references, and try again for a government job then.

[Davey Do]

The government only wants to look good. They don't need to be good. They're big on following protocol, dotting the i's and crossing the t's, but not seeing the forest for the trees.

I neglected to say that, in this case for example, it doesn't seem to matter what information is written in the space, merely that the space is filled out.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Give some alternative references if you can, and bring your last evaluation with you.

I was in a situation where I wouldn't get any good references from my past job, but an evaluation I got within the year was glowing. So I brought it and it worked like magic.