Job Hopper, concerned

Nurses Job Hunt

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I had a few interviews for a job that I really really want. During the interview process I quit my previous job because it was dangerous for me and my patients and I did not feel safe. At my last interview, I did not inform the potential employers that I quit because they did not ask me any questions that required me to disclose it, and I stupidly thought it would make me look bad to bring it up.

About a week ago they called and said they were doing a background check, and found out I quit my job. I explained that I quit during the interview and they sounded okay with it. Now it's been a week and I still haven't heard back. I am so worried.

I am a new nurse and I already quit 2 Nursing Jobs because both ended up being dangerous to me and/or my patients. Both jobs were "revolving doors" where pretty much everyone quit after they found something better or if they had family support. I have family support but I feel extremely discouraged.

I feel like given my job hopping history, the only jobs I will be considered for are other dangerous jobs, rather than stable employers, and I am planning to change professions if this job doesn't work out.

Will i I be rejected from this job for quitting my last job?

I never lie about past work in an interview - many prospective employer's also see failing to mention as a lie by omission. One job that I had for a short time and really hated and quit I described to a new employer as not a good fit - I explained the situation in a manner that did not denigrate the previous employer and was hired. Plus background checks can take several weeks - the last one I had took over a month because I have been married twice lived in several states and two countries. It just took a while. I have also worked in very intense Psych settings and "Dangerous" was part of the job description. I was punched in the face by an MRVO (Mentally Retarded Violent Offender) I tried to have him prosecuted but he was deemed unable to tell right from wrong. I quit that job 6 months later after finding another position.

hppy

I didn't lie, I left on good terms with my former job during the process of job interviews, and when they asked about it I was honest.

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Specializes in Mental Health Nursing.
Well I have made my decision. I am not going to continue in nursing any more.

Why ?

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Why ?

Don't you know, she will never ever get another nursing job ever again, because some strangers on allnurses told her that it is absolutely, completely impossible. Look at all the posters who are telling her she is a liability and a risk. Only people who stay at their first job for a minimum of 5 years will ever make a living. The rest end up jobless and poor...forever. Joking.

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In ANY industry, it's not a good idea to hop from job to job, but I'm assuming you already knew that and came here so someone could run your back and tell you it will be ok. I'm sure some will do that, but no one here can tell you what's happening with the position you're waiting to hear about. Haven't read every comment here (tl;dr) but why not just.....call that place and ask for an update? If they are going to hire you (even with your spotty work record or whatever) asking for an update won't change that, and if they're not going to hire you, you've got nothing to lose.

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In ANY industry, it's not a good idea to hop from job to job, but I'm assuming you already knew that and came here so someone could run your back and tell you it will be ok. I'm sure some will do that, but no one here can tell you what's happening with the position you're waiting to hear about. Haven't read every comment here (tl;dr) but why not just.....call that place and ask for an update? If they are going to hire you (even with your spotty work record or whatever) asking for an update won't change that, and if they're not going to hire you, you've got nothing to lose.

Honestly I regret posting here. I was already pretty discouraged and I already knew I have a bad history. I guess I did want some encouragement, maybe I should have just asked for it. I called for an update but no call back, yet. Hopefully no news is good news.

Again, I will say it again. If any new grads are on here, if you can financially afford to be selective with where you get your first job, be selective. Don't jump into random places that hire you right away because you read online about how bad the job market is. You are better off volunteering and persevering for a year after graduation until a good job opens up instead of taking something wild within a month and either having you get hurt, a patient unnecessarily and preventably get hurt, or resigning like me.

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I truly do hope it works out for you.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.
Why ?

so people would ask why :). On some social media websites this is called "vague-booking"

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Specializes in Mental Health Nursing.
Honestly I regret posting here. I was already pretty discouraged and I already knew I have a bad history. I guess I did want some encouragement, maybe I should have just asked for it. I called for an update but no call back, yet. Hopefully no news is good news.

Again, I will say it again. If any new grads are on here, if you can financially afford to be selective with where you get your first job, be selective. Don't jump into random places that hire you right away because you read online about how bad the job market is. You are better off volunteering and persevering for a year after graduation until a good job opens up instead of taking something wild within a month and either having you get hurt, a patient unnecessarily and preventably get hurt, or resigning like me.

You have to understand where some of the posters are coming from. I know encouragement is what you wanted, but how can someone say "everything will be okay" when they believe otherwise. Not many people will support job hopping because it looks bad; and I'm not saying that to make you feel bad. I'm saying that because it's the truth. I'm truly sorry for what happened to you at your previous jobs. And I really do hope that you get this job because I can tell you really want this. But it's good to ground yourself in reality and understand that your employment history may do more damage than good.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Why ?

Honestly it has nothing to do with what anyone said on here. It's what's best for my family.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
so people would ask why :). On some social media websites this is called "vague-booking"

I didn't know I had to give specifics to strangers. Especially on a public forum.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

When I first started nursing i was scared everyday for the first 6 months - I felt overwhelmed and yes sometimes that my license was in danger due to working conditions - it took some time to get my sea legs but I stuck it out and became a really good nurse. When I did psych and addiction medicine the same thing for the first 3 to 4 months then again I gained confidence and became good at it. If ypu really want to be a nurse that does happy work go into L&D it's mostly happy there except when it's not but that's another story alltogether.

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I always try to at least do something for 1 year minimum. If I want to do something else or move "up," then I do... Looking at this, 1 year is not very long, but it's also just long enough for a commitment.

Maybe apply for other jobs as you wait for this one? There are some new grads who get jobs with little experience... you can probably get a job based off your experience, although it is spotty. What state is this in? Some states, like where chaos lives, supposedly 80%+ of new grads are hired before even walking for graduation, although I don't think they are good jobs and personally I'd never want to work in that state/region or live there... In Cali it's harder bc so many people want to live here. Maybe there's also less "turn-over-rate" of employees here. I think there are also unions and possibly better work conditions here, which I don't think some other states, like the one mentioned, has.

I would keep looking. Experience is still experience... and good references are still good references. It's still better to at least have 1 year though before moving on in my book and really, for any commitment generally. Though longer than that looks better, 1 year is also good. All you have to say is you found better opportunities, such as the job you are applying for. It could also be location... I don't see resigning as a "nail-in-the-coffin" as you think. Don't get discouraged at all. Good luck!! :)

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