Made a big mistake (CNA)

Students CNA/MA

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I'm a CNA and I've been working at a nursing home for about 8 months. I left the job with very little/no notice. It was an agency position. I had a few different reasons why I left. But the thing is I am new to the job world, only 22 and didn't know it would be such a big problem. I DID tell them I wanted to change all my shifts to night shifts. So its not like they didn't know I wanted to stop coming in the day.

Now it seems as if Im having big trouble getting another CNA position...because I went for interview at a nursing home.

The supervisor or the DNS was going to call back once she spoke to the facility which I left but I got no call back.

So it seems like probably they are speaking bad about me.

So what do I do now....?

No more CNA/Nursing?

Can I really not be forgiven for this mistake ever?

More importantly. If I get a nursing degree, would it be a big waste of time?

If you were staffing the ECF through an agency, all of these questions must be answered by your AGENCY. Any references should go through your AGENCY.

You were not working for the facility, you were working for the AGENCY. Any shift requests should have been handled by your AGENCY.

Talk to your agency, I will bet the rent they have plenty of work for you on the night shift.

BBboy

252 Posts

Specializes in PICU, CICU.

OP I am 23 but was a CNA for about 3 years before becoming a nurse. I work with many travel nurses who are agency employed at my hospital and it is important that when you search for jobs that you don't burn bridges at your current/most recent. Agencies will do their best to find you work but ultimately it can come down to your most recent references. I understand that you had given them foresight of your needs but the abrupt withdrawal of yourself may have left a bad taste in their mouths and in turn a bad reference. Then again they may not have spoken to your past facility yet or they may have even decided to go with somebody else

If you were staffing the ECF through an agency, all of these questions must be answered by your AGENCY. Any references should go through your AGENCY.

You were not working for the facility, you were working for the AGENCY. Any shift requests should have been handled by your AGENCY.

Talk to your agency, I will bet the rent they have plenty of work for you on the night shift.

This is a good point. I doubt a former employer would 'talk bad' about a former employee due to possible legal issues. They usually just verify dates of employment and if the person would be rehireable. In this case, they were never an employee and it may have appeared to the interviewer that the candidate lied about prior experience. If the agency was contacted, this may have turned out differently.

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dianah, ASN

8 Articles; 4,181 Posts

Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Moved to CNA/MA Forum

kconrad1712

18 Posts

I'm a CNA and I've been working at a nursing home for about 8 months. I left the job with very little/no notice.

There is a huge difference between little notice and no notice given. Context seems key here. Try applying at a hospital for CNA positions. They have different needs than a LTC facility, and more need for night-shift CNAs.

Remember these for the next position to which you apply:

1. do NOT bad-mouth your previous employer or facility

2. Always list the company signing your checks as your employer. Do not list the facility. Only list the agency.

3. Be honest but professional about the reason you left on such short notice or without notice.

If you consider nursing school, go for it. No one is going to chastise you for this after you have received your RN/BSN.

Good luck!

steph0250

1 Post

Is anyone in the LPN Program at Ivy Tech? I have a question

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