How to present a bad (first) work experience to a potential employer?

[cincin1]

This is gonna sound crazy. I worked at a LTC, as a first nursing job, for about a month. The reason why I resigned is because of a family emergency, which was valid and I can prove. I was out for one week (some of which I was scheduled off), and it was a life or death situation of immediate family. There were other issues with the job, but I can honestly say that if the emergency didn't arise I probably would have stuck it out for at least 6 months to see if I liked/could adapt to the job, or until another job opened up. At the very least I would have given two weeks notice.

As it stands, I called in and offered my resignation, since my family issue was not resolved and I could not return yet. They accepted. I know they were hurting for staff and wanted them to be able to hire accordingly.

I also thought it a good idea to resign as the facility had begun calling classmates of mine and it was coming back to me that they were actively interviewing for a possible RN opening.

Now after I have left, and the hired a buddy of mine, the DON said I couldn't handle the job, which was untrue. I did well for a new grad, showed up everday, rolled with the punches, and even got cut short on orientation (by 1 week) and switched to another shift without any orientation to the schedule at all. The DON and many of the nurses always told me I was doing well, even though it was challenging. I was sometimes not confident and would joke with them about it, and they all told me I was hardest on myself.

I have been gone for about two weeks, and got a call from a hospital I would like to work at for an interview. I am afraid my last employer will now give me a bad reference. I don't mind them telling the truth about the calling in due to emergency, but I got good verbal feedback and I feel that the negative feedback (via my friend who got the job) is not true or fair, and will hurt my chances for this next job. I know that I have to put the last employer on my application though.

I have dozens of good references for this ONE bad one. My family emergency finally resolved and I have never EVER been fired or received a bad performance review. I am generally very reliable and predictable. I even wrote the LTC a sparkling, diplomatic resignation letter, never going into the several questionable practices or poor treatment of RN's; which again, I will not go into, but are pretty common at alot of nursing homes.

How do I explain this to my potential employer? Should I continue to stay away from the issues at the facility since the ultimate reason I had to leave was due to the emergency? Thats what I plan to do....HOWEVER, if the other facility mentions peformance issues on my part, I feel like I would be doing damage control by mentioning that it was almost impossible, even for the experienced nurses, to do a good job and do it on time. Indeed, things were charted (not by me) that were never done....I will stop there. Any advice?

[RNMeg]

My understanding is that it's illegal for a former employer to give details about your leaving their employ, only whether they would consider you for rehire or not. Some potential employers look upon a "would not rehire" reference negatively, but if you do have dozens of good references, hopefully they would overlook that one. And maybe the LTC would consider you for rehire, who knows? Good luck with your interview!

[MDRN10]

you could list the job and ask them not to use this place as a reference, and explain why on your interview. maybe some of the nurses who work there, and could attest to your capabilities, and work ethic, and performance...even though not supervisory in capacity, could offer a letter of recommendation. i would just be honest see how it goes. best of luck !

[rainstorm83]

The statement that you couldn't handle the job is probably his honest opinion. However, I doubt he'd state an opinion in his review of you. It could be a legal issue and is unprofessional. He may address how you quit and hopefully he'll state what a great employee you were before that. However, if you are upfront with the company about the issue of your leaving at least they've heard it from you, which shows honesty, accountability, and integrity.

As a side note, in the future you should probably resign in writing (or at least follow up promptly with a written letter.) Your resignation should thank them for the job, state something you've learned working there, and something you'll miss about the job. A complimentary resignation letter will help their final impression of you to be positive. Although not many people would be thinking about their job in a severe family emergency.

[RubyRN,CHPN]

I agree with above posters. You former nurse manager has no business or reason to discuss you or your work habits with your former colleagues period. It's highly unprofessional. Nor should they be discussing your work habits with you perspective employers. I believe the only thing they can offer is you are eligable for rehire. I believe you were being completely transparent in describing the situation and did the right thing by offering resignation when you could not devote your full time and attention to your orientation process to your new job. What have you learned from this experience and did you grow from it? Might be something you could offer your potential employer should they ask about this experience when you interview. Best of luck out there....

[scoochy]

The statement that you couldn't handle the job is probably his honest opinion. However, I doubt he'd state an opinion in his review of you. It could be a legal issue and is unprofessional. He may address how you quit and hopefully he'll state what a great employee you were before that. However, if you are upfront with the company about the issue of your leaving at least they've heard it from you, which shows honesty, accountability, and integrity.

As a side note, in the future you should probably resign in writing (or at least follow up promptly with a written letter.) Your resignation should thank them for the job, state something you've learned working there, and something you'll miss about the job. A complimentary resignation letter will help their final impression of you to be positive. Although not many people would be thinking about their job in a severe family emergency.

The OP did write a letter of resignation. With all the info presented, it was easy to miss her comment re: resignation letter.

[Leelee2]

If the reason you left your last position comes up during the interview, i think that being honest about the situation is your best response. Also, by sharing that information, it lets your employer know that you are honest, and that your family comes first. If that turns out to be a conflict for this new employer, it may reflect that this wouldn't be the best employer for you.

[Katillac, RN]

What HR is legally allowed to do and what colleagues who know each other informally do are two different things. Health care is a small world.

So, in your interview when asked about your experience, I would bring it up myself and say, "I had a very positive experience with XXX". I'd say, "My supervisors told me (insert good things they said) and in fact, I came off orientation a full week early because I was (insert good reason why). I went on to (insert another example of good performance). Then go on to say, "Unfortunately, I needed to attend to a family emergency - which has since been fully resolved - so I needed to resign."

That way, even if someone has been or will be dissing you, you're offering a counter picture in a very positive and truthful way, not blaming anyone or badmouthing anyone, but representing yourself as someone who is an asset. Use the opportunity to proactively address a problem reference and show yourself in your best light. Also, you may want to call your supervisor if it was not the DON and ask ahead of time if she will serve as a reference. If she says yes, you've got no problem. If she says something about policy being only dates of employ, etc. you know your PR is bad, so you've got to make sure you address it positively in your interview. You can't make past employers say good things or even tell the truth but you can minimize the damage.

Usually unless they've already ruled you out, people want to believe that you'll be a good worker or they wouldn't be talking to you. But prepared to answer why you didn't go back there after the family issue was resolved, as in, "While my experience there was a good one, I want to use my (insert skill or ability applicable to the setting you applied for but not the LTC.)

Good luck.

[rainstorm83]

I did miss that. Thanks, Scoochy.

Even if he does say something uncomplimentary, dozens of good references and 1 bad one is still a pretty good work history. It's unlikely that you'll lose the job because of that. Good luck, I hope you get it.

[sukh :), BSN, RN]

this forum has always been very helpful to me. i have a problem that i want to share with you all and want your advise and also of the nurse recruiters if they read my story.

i graduated as an rn in may 2009 and got license in august 2009 and was working in an urgent care and medical group since june 2009. everything was going on fine till now because i am pregnant and can not work as many hours as i used to. now my son ( 2 yrs old) came back to me and living with us. earlier i had to leave him with my mom because i was doing my rn. my son came in may 2010 and i told at my job in feb 2010 that i will have to adjust my hours because of him, to this they agreed. but when he came i saw my schedule they started to give me odd hours ( the ones i never requested) .

my son got sick yesterday night and through out night i and my husband were awake and called uc (that is open 24 hours) and took him there early (5:30 am ) in the morning. i called my work to inform them that i will not be able to come. the next my son's hives got worse and his face and eyes started swelling. me and my husband decided that i will go to my work because i already called in yesterday and he will take our son to doctor's. when i went to my work my supervisor's told me that i have to sign the write up sheet because i called out and because i was coming late at my work. to which i refused because according to the policy i was not given any verbal warning and moreover when i asked them i do not think i called in many times. they said that i called in once last month and once this month. they said that this is not many times but in future they want me present doctor's notice whenever i call in and if not then i will be suspended.

my manager told me that she will keep this in my file that i called in many times and was late many times. so, thinking over my whole situation i thought that any ways they are not going to put a good word for me hence i thought of resigning form job and did so. now i am scared that will i be able to find another job and should i put in resume that i worked here. if i do so do what will happen if my future employer contact my past employer.

please advice me i will be thankful..