Need advice please

gtoko · Jun 8, 2010

I would say yes ,that you can request not to have your current employer contacted. During the interview, state that you are looking for different nursing opportunities and experiences to make you a more rounded individual.

Good luck and post updates of how you are doing :)

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jun 8, 2010

get out and call the BON

ACoalsonRN · Jun 8, 2010

I think facilities know what is going on with another facility in a community,especially a facility that is in trouble. As for why you are leaving, just write that you have ethical issues with that place. If anything it makes you look honest and people would understand you leaving a place with such problems. I respect your integrity. If your current employer is contacted, what are they going to do: fire you? If that is the case, go right to the unemployment office as they would have not fired you for just cause and you would get your unemployment. Also a prospective employer can only confirm dates of employment with your current employer. My guess: go out and submit applications. You will get a job offer before your next workday.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jun 8, 2010

You are always able to say, "No, you may not contact my current employer. They do not know I am looking."

And good luck!

solneeshka, BSN, RN · Jun 8, 2010

Never, never, ever, ever say or imply anything bad about a current employer when you're looking for a new job. New employers always want happy, can-get-along types of people. If you say something like "I'm looking for a new job due to ethical differences with my current employer," that makes the new people wonder if you have a problem or will be a difficult employee. It doesn't matter how good of an explanation you think you can offer, they still know that they are only getting your side of the story and I'm telling you, it sets off red flags.

What you do is tell your interviewer that you're looking for a new job for some completely innocuous reason: You want something closer to home, or you've been there for a couple of years and would like to expand your knowledge and skills by working at a different facility, or you know someone who used to working at New Nursing Home and they recommended it as a good place to work, or anything that doesn't hint of "I don't like my old employer." As a previous poster said, it's a small world and New Place will know if Old Place is in trouble with state and will know why you are looking. Even if they don't, you don't want to badmouth them, that just makes them wonder what you'll say about them when you eventually leave the new place.

And also as a previous poster said, in regard to whether or not they can contact your current employer, just say that right now you are looking to see what other opportunities may be out there so they don't know that you're looking, so you'd like for them not to be contacted. You can also explain that the management there is all pretty new, which is why none of them are on your list of references.

Good luck!

misschiatia · Jun 9, 2010

I disagree with the last responder who said to make up some innocuous reason for looking for a new job. I firmly belive that HONESTY is always the best policy. You can express moral differences without totally badmouthing your employer. And as a nurse manager who participates in the hiring process, if an applicant says "I had ethical issues with some of the practices I have encountered at my previous job", I have no problem with that, many experienced nurses(myself included) having been in similar situations ourselves. What I will have a problem with is you telling me "i need something closer to home" when it will probably be written all over your face that theres more to it and you're just not telling me that. Then I will wonder what you might have hide.

I strongly advise that you not go into to great of detail, it will be too tempting to bash your current employer. Above all, be honest, be sincere in your desire to find employment in a "good" setting, and be yourself. Goood luck

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2010

Hi everyone,
I would like some advice on a sticky situation. I have been working at this extended care facility for 4 months now. They are trying to clear 12 citations from the state. So, the big push now is to make sure that all the medication and treatment records are signed out completely. Well, when the state came in 2 months ago, the DON and all the DCD (bascially unit managers) were let go. So, they have brought in a DON and DCDs from other states. The corporation has facilities in many states.
What my problem is is that these DCDs are expecting me to sign medication and treatment records on day shift (when I work night shift) and even on days that I haven't even worked. When I refuse, their response is "Well, somebody has to sign them" I have refused to sign them as that would be falsifying medical records.
I feel like I need to get out NOW! But my question is this: When I fill out applications at new places, can I request that they not contact my current employer. If they found out I was looking, I wouldn't put it pass them to fire me. Also, what do I tell a perspective employer when I am interviewed.
I really want to state in long term care. Had I been smart at the beginning I would have checked this place out a little more as they have only received 1 and 2 star ratings on the federal government nursing home rating.
Sorry to ramble, but what do you all think I should do?
Thanks so much,
Luvltc

I understand about having a job and how hard it is to find one in this economy, but you really do need to get out NOW! If the state is investigating this awful place, you will be a part of this investigation. Management and other nurses will not hesitate to place blame on anyone but themselves. I suspect what you've described is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what is done illegally. One piece of advice. NEVER sign off on what you didn't do, no matter how much pressure is placed on you .

The other posters have given you excellent responses to give to prospective employers when asked about your previous job. I would not talk your current employer down, as the new place might consider that an indication of what you might do to them. It has been my experience that job interviewers base their opinions on what they see and hear as opposed to what an old employer might say. I also disagree that honesty is the best policy, at least in this situation. Prospective employers do not want to hear about any problems you may have had at a previous job.

Good luck.

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2010

TO AcoalsonRN:

Prospective employers can ask the previous employer if the applicant is elligible for rehire. At least they can in the state where I work. To say an employee would not be rehired speaks volumes, without saying anything else.

nobhill · Jun 9, 2010

If asked about the reason you are leaving, I would not go into details about the true reason. Potential employers will assume that you are a troublemaker, even though that isn't true.

I would keep it vague and professional. Say "it just wasn't a good fit." That certainly is true and it doesn't go into detail.

I have hired many employees, although not in the nursing field [i hired lawyers and legal professionals.] I did have some people give me reasons similar to what was suggested--that they wanted to leave or left because of ethical issues, stuff that the last employer was doing etc.

While the applicant might appreciate the honesty, the employer doesn't. My immediate thought was that these people did something to somehow bring this on themselves, they would be quick to make complaints, they weren't team players, and they would be quick to call the licensing agency if things didn't go their way.

It was easier for me to just not hire them.

Just my 2 cents....

Nobhill

DianeS, RN · Jun 14, 2010

Thanks for all your advice. I'm spending my day off today job hunting again. :eek: