I need advice from a manager's perspective. Grateful to anyone willing to give input!

[RN94]

I'm going to try to keep this short. I have been a nurse for almost 24 years. Worked at one hospital my whole career. I was at the top of the pay scale which I really do feel made a difference on how things went down. Suddenly I found everything I did was under a microscope and was written up several times and before I knew it was about to be terminated, so I resigned. When I handed the resignation letter to my manager she made it clear I was not "eligible for rehire". My decision to resign was to avoid potential humiliation of being walked out. I was and still am devastated that I am where I am after all these years as a nurse. This happened 3 years ago and 3 months after my job ended I got a job in home care through a connection with a friend.

So, my question is, do I ever have a chance for a decent job again? Does my almost 20 years at one facility mean anything? The nurse manager who was there is long gone. Who should I put down as a reference? I had other part time and per diem jobs during my 24 years working at the hospital that I used as references for my current job but it felt odd to use them because they were all over 10 years ago. I am a good nurse with instincts that come with 23 years experience. I would like to think I'm still eligible for a good job. At an interview, what should I say? Should I be honest or not try to explain and roll the dice?

Please, I would really appreciate any advice you are willing to give! Thank you!!

[dianah, ASN]

Moved to Nursing Career Advice forum.

[CoolKidsRN]

1) Your 20 years of experience at the facility shows your commitment and dedication towards an organization. So, yes it means something. You also have valuable experience and can be hired somewhere else.

2) Did you spend 20 years on the same unit? If not, use the other nurse managers from this facility as a reference.

3) Be honest in your interview. In your situation, there is nothing to say because you were not terminated - you resigned. You can simply say that you are looking for other opportunities and experience in a different setting.

One more thing, always be factual and positive during an interview. No need to over explain or express negative feelings/thoughts about a previous employer. That will get you no where.

Good luck and I'm confident that you will find another opportunity that is a good fit for you.

[RN94]

Thank you so much for your feedback. I am just worried because I resigned only because I was about to be terminated. So, it was because I did not want to be walked out of the building. That would have been humiliating. So, I resigned last minute. It wasn't like I gave my notice or anything. So, as far as I know, if a potential employer called HR where i worked and asked if they would be hired again, they would say no, I'm not eligible for rehire. I was actually told that. I only worked in on dept and the nurse manager is gone. I'm hopeful that it won't be an issue to get hired someplace else.

Again, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my post. I appreciate it so much.

[CoolKidsRN]

Is the hospital you worked at the only major system in the area? You may consider applying to other hospitals or making on earth of your prn jobs a full-time gig. Ultimately do not give up hope, there will be a better opportunity out there for you.