Interview Tomorrow & Bad Job References

[princsheather]

I'm not a nurse yet, but I do have my CNA and I'm in school working on my BSN.

To make a long story short, an old co-worker of mine landed me a job interview that I have tomorrow. She put in a great reference for me, but I'm not sure my last to job references will give me good reviews. The first job as a CNA at a nursing home didn't give me the time I needed off for training even though I told them well off in advance, I'm not sure what kind of reference I will get from them because of that. The second job as a CNA at one of the major hospitals I ended up getting injured at, I've been cleared from a doctor and I'm as good as new but I know for a fact that she hasn't given me a good reference in the past. I have to list these two jobs because its where all my experience is at, I have great volunteer references and personal references but I'm worried about how to get a good reference from these past two employers.

Any advice on how to get around this dilemma? I loved working as a CNA and I miss it on a daily basis, I need a job to help pay for school and to help support my mom.

[chloecatrn]

Unfortunately, employers aren't necessarily going to care about personal references if your professional ones are less than stellar. Anyone's friends will say good things, but not all employers will.

Most past employers will only say when you worked there and if you're rehirable, but they can say more if they believe it to be true and relevant to your patient care skills. Usually they won't, because it's a slippery slope for them to prove their case if you sue, but they can.

You don't say what time your interview is. If you've got time in the morning, I'd have a friend or family member call the two places you're concerned about and pose as a future employer to see what kind of information they give. Then you can figure out how to spin things from there.