I need some advice !!

caliotter3 · Jan 4, 2009

Be ready to discuss the problem, including your plan to change the behavior, but do not dwell on it or necessarily bring it up. Instead, as much as possible, try to keep the discussion focused on your knowledge, experience, and abilities. Don't leave the interview without the other person knowing that your problem behavior is in the past. Have you been able to acquire positive references from either of the two previous employers? Try to counter negativity with positive references about the quality of your work. Good luck.

nurseboudin · Jan 4, 2009

Just keep interviewing. I disclosed the fact that I was in recovery during one of my interviews after a shady history. It was very well received. A lot of it depends on the employer's experience with people in recovery. For me, my recovery is so important. I don't necessarily "live out loud" with it, but if the issue comes up, I admit it with no shame or apologies. It's just a part of my life now. I would hate for something so positive in my life to be viewed by a potential employer as a liability.

Each person has their own set of beliefs here. I am sharing my personal experience with you - it may not be the path that you choose to take. But whatever you decide, I wish you all the best. When you find something, make sure it fits with your lifestyle change.

Congrats on your new-found freedom from addiction!

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2009

THere is very good advice here. But the most important advice that I can give you, from my experience (and I've said this a lot here) is to get out of the house and interview EVERYWHERE. Get up each morning, get dressed like you're going on an interview and get out there and pound the pavement. Don't come home until you've talked to several managers.

Put in applications everywhere, ask to talk to the hiring authority. Don't EVER EVER tell the recruiter of your problem. Disclose it after you have gotten WELL into the interview with the person that will hire you.

Don't WAIT for those other places to call you back. If they were going to hire you, they would have already called you. Get OUT AND APPLY EVERYWHERE. Don't wait. Unless you don't have to work.. . If you don't have to work, then you can sit around at home and wait for those guys to call you back. But odds are, they won't be calling.

You must be face to face with the manager, so they can see and appreciate the person that you are. Project confidence. Don't be so down on yourself for what you've done in the past. Keep a good attitude and let them know what you will be doing about your mistakes in the past.

Good luck! And let us know how it goes!

Rascal1 · Jan 13, 2009

Thanks so much. I recieved a call last Weds.,telling me I was selected for a job,I applied for a month ago. He said that he is sending me a letter of interest for me to review and get back to him with any queries.Then,he said,congratulations. Now,today,his secretary called to say he is asking for three personal references,which I provided when I was there !! I'm feeling a little befuddled.

RNRutRO · Jan 13, 2009

Don't worry. Peope misplace things all the time. If you interviewed a month ago, there have been several Christmas/New Year's parties, people out on vacation, etc. Don't sweat it!

If it wasn't meant to be, then it won't. I've learned this on a daily basis. Keep us all posted! And good luck!

Enjoy your last days without a job....Do those things that you never do when you work. Go to the zoo, have a mani/pedi. Cause, Girrrrllllll YOu will be working and no time to enjoy yourself.

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2009

Don't worry. Peope misplace things all the time. If you interviewed a month ago, there have been several Christmas/New Year's parties, people out on vacation, etc. Don't sweat it!
If it wasn't meant to be, then it won't. I've learned this on a daily basis. Keep us all posted! And good luck!
Enjoy your last days without a job....Do those things that you never do when you work. Go to the zoo, have a mani/pedi. Cause, Girrrrllllll YOu will be working and no time to enjoy yourself.

Okay, I'm going to have to disagree with you! hahahaha

Your way: she'll be unemployed for-EVER. You should know how hard it is to get a job under these circumstances. I had several managers tell me, sure! we'd love to have you! You're hired! and then never call me back. This crap happens. It's a part of the deal when you screw up. Some managers just don't want to tell you to your face that they're not hiring you because you messed up. Those are the same people that say to their dates on a friday night "I'll call you in the morning, I had a wonderful time!" and then never call back.

My way: She'll find a job in no time.

Your way: She'll have wonderful toenails and soft feet

My way: her feet will suck, but she'll have a job.

Yeah, maybe you're right, maybe they did misplace her application,,, maybe they've been busy trying to fill holiday shifts. Maybe I am just a pessimistic, bitter person when it comes to getting hired with these problems....

RNRutRO · Jan 13, 2009

Well, I guess there is more than one way to look at it. Plus, she had emailed me personally, so that changed my thoughts too.

From what I gathered, she isn't in a "program" and doesn't have all the tpapn stuff that we did. So, to me, I just look at it like the references weren't available, they misplaced them, etc. Plus, most people don't say "congrats" unless you are hired, right? I mean I had good interviews that I never heard back from, but I never got a "congrats" and didn't hear anything. And who wouldn't give good references?

I guess it's like childbirth. The longer away it gets, the more and more you forget the pain of it. I forget all the interviews I went on, and the rejections. Oh well, keep us posted.

My job, I gave reference of people that were no longer there. AFTER they hired me, they wanted to verify that I worked at those places by people that were still there....No easy feet, mind you since turnover was horrid.

Keep us posted!

Rascal1 · Jan 15, 2009

Ok,... I recieved the formal job letter ," offer of employment" today on weds. ! Now, to interpret what some of it means. He says,my base salary is ..... Does that mean I am hourly or salary ?... I'm so sorry I did'nt think to ask some key questions when I was there for the interview.Would have been nice to have seen the actual job description, detailing all the "other" duties that fall onto MDS nurses.It it too late ? ... Getting health coverage after 30 days is nice. Must be oncall every sixth weekend. The job also entails eight hours of staff development a week,shared with the DON. .....Any thoughts? .......

Rascal1 · Jan 15, 2009

Thanks...

RNRutRO · Jan 15, 2009

What is MDS? Sounds strange that he didn't go over the job duties when he interviewed you, doesn't it?

Ya know, there's nothing with trying it out and seeing if it's the job for you. If not, at least you have one while you are looking for another.

Also, didn't you talk pay rates when you interviewed? I made the mistake once of going through the hour in half interview, thinking, "this is great! I can so see myself working here" then finding out the job was half of what I was use to making. BIG MISTAKE!!! The look on my face was like someone just served me poo. The DON was so embarassed. Even she knew the rate was ridiculous.

Oh well, live and learn.

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2009

mds is sort of like a.... they help figure out the medicare coding,, to see how long the patient has to stay in the hospital,, and what catagory they can bill medicare depending on how sick the patient is,,,, what resources they need for the patient,, that they can bill.. etc. They work with nurses, doctors, therapist,, etc,, in ltc or LTAC(where I work)

MDS stands for "minimum data set'... coordinator...

Something like this.. lol