If I'm a new RN but with LPN experience, Do I need to list LPN experience?

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 1, 2011

I would- and explain the termination .... unless you were a total mess your whole LPN career, it's still nursing experience, and might be enough to get you looked at more seriously.

NamasteNurse, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2011

You aren't required to list anything, but why wouldn't you? LPN experience is excellent experience! So you got terminated, they are not allowed by law to say anything bad anyway, but I know a bunch of people on here will disagree with me. Usually the law says they can only say that you did in fact work there and the dates you worked. If you list no experience you will be treated as a new nurse.

ilove · Oct 1, 2011

Yes but can i list other places i worked as LPN and not list the place I got fired from. Its tough im stressed out. I would really appreciate an answer . Also, its tough to find a job out after being fired. All they see is you got fired then we get thrown away. Its tough and I really want a job and im just never going to be able to get it. So please pray for me that I will find a job. Any prayers would be appreciated and pray for all unemployed. Wait, they cant say anything bad about it. My place is saying shi*t about me. Theyre saying everything i did that got fired and theyre saying why i got fired. going into specifics. Are they allowed to do that? its a nursing home

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 1, 2011

Reference "givers" are allowed to tell dates of employment, $/hr, and eligibility for rehire...legally. However, many LTC DONs have a sort of "network" under the desk where they call each other and ask about someone off the record. You would be MUCH better off to bring it up, explain what happened, say you learned (whether or not you are right/wrong/purple) and it won't happen again (and then don't ). If they find out from someone besides you, it's probably an automatic chunking of the application into the trash...

If you are "that bad" that everything you did got you fired, then I don't know what to tell you; if you're not safe to work- that's an issue- but I have no clue what went on (and don't need any info). If you screwed up really badly, you may have to work some place that doesn't care- and keep it good there....Then reapply somewhere better.

Not sure what answers you want- nobody can tell you WHAT to do- only opinions. You make the final call. Good luck :)

ilove · Oct 1, 2011

I didn't do anything of what they said. I'm completely a good nurse

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Oct 2, 2011

moved to our nursing career advice forum.

let me tell you a secret: everyone leaving an employer is considered terminated.

modern hr computer systems have a doh (date of hire) and dot (date of termination).

managers list 1-2 reasons for termination, last date worked and eligibility for rehire.

we also list reason for hiring: new position or replacement.

reasons for termination are grouped into voluntary and involuntary:

voluntary termination includes employee resignation or mandatory retirement due to occupational age restrictions e.g. commercial airline pilot.

employee resignation reasons vary:

1. end of temporary assignment

2. job transfer to another position within organization

3. leaving organization for career experience or advancement elsewhere

4. moving out of area

5. spouse relocation for employment out of state ( note employee eligible for unemployment)

6. job dissatisfaction with benefits/hours etc.

7. health issues employee/ family member

8. voluntary retirement.

9. employee death

involuntary termination the employer chooses to require the employee to leave, generally for a reason which is the fault of the employee aka being fired.

1. orientation failure to progress

2. job abandonment employee fails to show for scheduled shift without notice.

3. workforce reduction due to downsizing "laid off"

4. termination for cause employee seriously jeopardizes his/her fellow employees threatening other employees, stealing, violation company policies: impaired due to illegal drug use, intoxication, sexual harassment etc.

5. poor work performance

6. failure to renew a contract

prepare a simple explanation regarding involuntarily leaving a position. termination due to work performance is best explained by lesson learned and positive change you've made to improve performance. do not bad mouth prior employer no mather how bad the experience..

failure to report a position can be used against you if it shows up on credit repost many healthcare facilities utilize.

definitely include your lpn experience as shows you have patient care experience beyond rn program.

best wishes on your rn journey.

nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2011

Always admit you were fired, because it will always be found out...maybe not now, but would you rather your boss come and get you in the middle of the shift after you've been working there a month and started making friends?

I've had to do that. I had an employee lie to me about a job. I was at lunch with someone, mentioned I'd found a new programmer, and that person knew the new employee when they were employed at XYZ. I didn't remember that employer on the application, so I went back and pulled their file. No XYZ. Called XYZ, and they gave dates covered by employer ABC on the application, along with a "no rehire." Called ABC, and they said they'd been let go because they'd lied on the application. So, I called HR and told them I'd found a discrepancy on the employee's resume and what I'd found. HR called me back and told me they had confirmed via a background check that the employee had lied on their app, and they were walking the termination paperwork over. So, I pulled the employee into a conference room when HR got there, we fired the employee. They were upset, said they were doing a good job for me, and they'd never stolen equipment from the old employer, it was being junked and they took it out of the trash. Nobody'd told me what the employee had done, until they did. But what I did know was the employee would lie on a form that said, essentially "if you lie on this form you will be fired." Had the person just been straight up with the first employer after they were fired, they would probably have been okay -- but if you lie, it makes you look guilty.

ilove · Oct 2, 2011

thanks for that excellent explanation. So basically, I have to list this employer on my job applications or else I run the risk of being fired.

caliotter3 · Oct 2, 2011

You run the risk of being found out and terminated again if you leave them off. Much better to come up with an explanation and write down, "will explain in interview" on the application. And, in general, all health care experience should be listed. What can be left off is your side gig at Janie's Shoe Emporium, where you never worked more than 12 hours in any week. If you get asked about THAT, say it is not relevant to a position in health care. Good luck in your job search.

ilove · Oct 2, 2011

Thanks for your help! I submitted applications to the state and to liike other places but I never received one response. Should I call them?