Life After Probation: How's your career been?

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

Specializes in Emergency.

Just wanting to see how life is for you all who completed probation (NOT DIVERSION) ?

Is you career where you want it to be? Was it hard getting a job you truly desired? Is there anyone that was able to become a travel nurse, or even work for a registry? Did anyone move into advance practice nursing? (I.e. management?) Did anyone move on to becoming and working as an FNP in a acute care setting? 

I know I am asking a lot. But I am in cross roads of my career. I have been a nurse for 15 years. Halfway through a 3 year probation (should get early termination soon, if all goes well). I am currently working, and I am grateful for everything. Just not sure if I want to even bother investing in furthering this career or pivoting into something completely different. 

Specializes in ICU, travel.

If your license is unencumbered, there is a travel agency that will take you. I don't know the nature of the offense, but I know travelers who were on probation before they traveled.

Specializes in Psychiatric RN.

I've just started probation. CA RN - seems like the go to is 3 years.

Pretty much previous employer filed a complaint against me and I was put under investigation. Wasn't able to get a letter of reprimand. I've been dealing with a lot of things in the dark and when I see the deadlines in the table they e-mailed me a day after the start of my probation, my thought process goes to, "OK I need to do this STAT because it can take the government forever to process things."

I'll be having my initial encounter with my probation monitor tomorrow - so if anyone has any pointers on how to approach every meeting with them, greatly appreciated. I had my therapist prep me for the phone call which was a good reminder on how to approach the conversation.

In a nursing reddit - there were a few NPs that have dealt with probation and have had fruitful careers after their stint. 

We're going to have to explain the ding on our records for every application we apply for (UGH) but I'm hoping that being sincere with discretion will help sell yourself well. 

We're both in the situation of dealing with the unknown. Try to not let yourself go deeper in the rabbit hole. My anxiety was off the charts when I had just gotten the e-mail about my probation and the deadline for things. Again, I got at the beginning (3/4), a day after my start date (3/3), and just meeting with my probation monitor tomorrow. 

Hoping people who've been done will respond to your post. Sorry I can't provide much relevant information, but know that I empathize with you and am excited to hear how things go for you when you're done and done! 

+ Add a Comment