I need some career advice

[EternalFeather]

Im trying to move on in my career journey but Im just a little nervous and scared. Ive been unemployed for 2 weeks now and now im enjoying my short break but eventually, I have to find a job.

So, i recently resigned from an icu after being there for a year. I resigned the proper way: 3 weeks notice. I had been wanting to leave way earlier but i decided to make it a year just because a year looks better than less than a year. It was rough, i was burnt out, stressed out and depressed. Somehow, i managed to make it.

About the unit: level 3 adult trauma but applying for lvl 2; it was a legit icu dept. 3:1 ratio. The patients are 70-80% of the time obese. Its a 35 bed but we only have 1 or 2 cna, so there was usually barely any help. 3 pts per nurse is normal but getting a 4th and 5th is not surprising. Also, in addition to total care, we were also doing things that we as nurses shouldnt like a lot of the doctors job... on top of that, management puts lots of pressure on staff to do more things that are not realistically possible... not to mention, there was bullying and it seemed throwing people under the bus was the favorite sport, which sucks cause were all already struggling but being mean and not supporting each other just makes it so much worse... i could go on... but, basically, the workload is just too much, the working environment was very toxic, theres too much responsibilities for 1 nurse and its unsafe for both pts and my RN license was always st risk.

When I resigned, the director&manager basically said that they would not give a good reference if any employers would call their office, because I only lasted a year. It doesnt sound fair at all. And this is one of the reasons Im scared to apply to other jobs because Im afraid the places i apply might call the unit regardless with or without my knowing and then i get thrown off the bus... also i have a feeling they hate me and that they wont give a good reference is because i was always one of the people at the recieving end of the grunt of the dramas as i was one of the people who would get bullied often. One nurse told me that the charge nurses and other nurses liked bullying me for reasons like i was new, i was too kind, i was even told that my resting face is "trying to look cute or naive" like they couldnt stand my appearance for no apparent reason, i get picked on so they can see me cry or something. Which, I never cried. Ever. I cant help the looks i was born with...

I would like for my next job to be a place that i would love and that i would gladly stay in for more than 1 year. I dont want to be tagged with having commitment issues in my resume... working at that icu dept had traumatized me so now im open to other specialties but i just cant decide and Im fearful of critical floors.

I know 2 years would have been the most ideal, but i dont regret it at all. I made it a year and for me that was enough. Im actually happy im out of that place now. So much happier.

Currently, im talking with a travel agency because its short term contracts and i wouldnt have to commit a year or so epecially if i didnt like working at a place. But i just realized, I only have 1+ year of working experience. I dont know if any windows for travel nursing may open for me yet. A lot of facilities require 2-3 years. Plus, i hear things like the regular staff can be unwelcoming to travel nurses and they tend to be mean to them...

Im open to applying for another full time position but i would like it to be a place that is opposite of my previous workplace. But then... Its hard to know all that beforehand.

I want to feel as if I am starting over in a place that i would love and enjoy working at for years. I just want longevity, supportiveness and not to be burnt out again. I would even consider relocating just for that promise.

So far, I havent applied to any permanent positions yet because of this fear. I dont want to make the wrong decisions. Please, i need some advice.

[Night__Owl, BSN, RN]

Sounds like you got burned by a horrible hospital. If I walked into my ICU and they tried to assign me four, let alone five ICU patients, I would straight up refuse.

If I were you, I would think very carefully before doing travel nursing. You may be choosing between assignments in very remote locations, with possibly not a lot of resources, or places equally as poorly-run as the one you came from.

I think at this point, walking into a proper telemetry unit, with a 5:1 ratio of non-ICU, somewhat independent patients, would feel like a breath of fresh air. Or a proper ICU, with a 2:1 or occasionally 1:1 ratio.

[pro-student]

Unless you plan on leaving nursing altogether, you're going to have to bite the bullet and apply. Don't list your previous employer as a reference and make sure you have at least 2-3 solid references you can use. Often times if you don't list a previous employer as a reference when you apply, they will only be contacted to confirm dates of employment and possibly official reason for leaving. It sounds like you're covered there. I would only list a contact number for HR at your previous hospital. With any lucky, they will never get your manager on the phone to ***** about you. It doesn't look stellar that you left after a year but it doesn't look terrible either. I think it was wise to stick it out to at least a year mark. When you interview, try not to disparage your former employer because that usually just makes you look bad (unless somehow they have a reputation that precedes them). If you are asked about it, be honest but put the most positive spin on it you can. Instead of talking about bullying and a toxic work environment, talk about your desire to be a team player and have a supportive, collaborative relationship with all the members of the healthcare team. Instead of talking about being overworked and underresourced, talk about how you are committed to giving the best patient care possible.

Just a word of caution: some of the issues you mentioned are endemic of healthcare in general and ICUs in particular. While there is the whole spectrum from wonderful, supportive places to work to absolute hell holes, a new hospital is likely to have at least some of what you hoped to leave behind. Try to be realistic yet optimistic about your future employer.

[Kallie3006, ADN]

Most reference calls are made to HR, and they normally will verify employment dates and if you are eligible for rehire. When you get invited to interview see if you can do a shadowing shift to get a feel for the unit and flow, as well as an idea of the teamwork displayed. You might want to figure out what your reason for leaving that facility that is different from what you have posted, I would not speak negatively about any aspect of your previous position. See what the unit retention and roll over is, this gives an idea on how the unit is ran, high turn over is a red flag.

Spruce up your resume, prepare for interviews ( googling will give an idea of the generalized questions to prep for) and start applying. If you hold out due to fear etc you are only hurting yourself.

Good luck!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Your references will be fine. You were there a year and gave proper notice. Don't be afraid of some vague threat. Have three co-worker references ready to go. Apply to whatever looks good to you... go into interviews with CONFIDENCE.

I would not suggest traveling yet ( been there done that), it's too early in your career.

Consider agency work, it's the best way to network.

Good luck.

[EternalFeather]

Isnt agency work the same as traveling? If its something else how can i get into that?

Thanks

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Isnt agency work the same as traveling? If its something else how can i get into that?

Thanks

Please see my PM.

[EternalFeather]

How should I fill out spaces that asks for the director's or anyone in managements' contact? Im applying for a few positions and there are spaces that ask for their contacts. I dont want them to be called...

[DextersDisciple, BSN, RN]

Please see my PM.

BTDT, I have the same question. Could

You PM me as well please?

[DextersDisciple, BSN, RN]

How should I fill out spaces that asks for the director's or anyone in managements' contact? Im applying for a few positions and there are spaces that ask for their contacts. I dont want them to be called...

List HR'S number or the general number for the hospital.