New RN Needing Advice!!!

[mcRN2b]

I spent three months working in a LTCF. I did not apply for the position. They found my resume on the web and I accepted an interview and took the job since some experience is better than none. I really wanted to work in a hospital. I figured I could stick it through for six months at least but, the training was awful, I didn't realize I was supposed to have a preceptor until I was into my third month.

In a previous post, I explained that I received a hospital offer three days into my training. I do indeed regret that I turned it down. I was lazy and figured that I might like the LTCF. I ended up voluntarily resigning without notice and did an exit interview with HR to explain why I was leaving. Should I put this experience on my resume or leave it out. Please help. It is tough getting jobs as a new nurse cause everybody wants experience.

Sincerely,

mcRN2b

[mcRN2b]

Here are some points I forgot to mention to complete this post:

I wanted to add that I was on my own after a week and a half of training. Toward my last days there, I ended up crying when I was sent to a unit where I had about 30 patients as I received no training to handle the patient load. My usual unit has half the no. of patients. The nurse who trained me was someone who was promoted to a position off the floors after working as a floor nurse for 3.5 yrs. I was darting everywhere for help. If he/she was supposed to be a preceptor, they sure didn't feel like one. Not to mention that when it was time for me to give report, the oncoming nurse continued training me because my day shift training was insufficient. I have watched how other new nurses were treated on the unit and it is such an unacceptable environment for a new nurse who really wants to learn and be empowered by older nurses. Other nurses on the floor encouraged me to hurry up and get out of there!!!!!

P.S. I don't think there was a guarantee that I was going to get the hospital position. They were probably just calling for screening.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Two important factors you need to consider.

First of all, if you have any job that deducts all the usual FICA stuff, it will show up whenever a prospective employer runs your background check because they always do a SSN check as part of this process. Assuming you were paid by the LTCF, this job will pop up and you will probably be asked questions about why you left.

Prospective employers will also verify employment for jobs listed on your application. They will check dates of employment and determine whether you are categorized as "eligible for rehire" or "not eligible for rehire". If it's the former, you're good. If it's the second, you will have some 'splaining to do because this generally implies that you were terminated for cause and no one wants to hire a 'bad apple'.

New grads are generally given a bit more leeway. We all know how difficult it is to get your career going, and how easy it is to make bad choices because you really didn't know what to expect. My advice? Just be truthful. Don't bash your former employer. Take ownership for making a bad choice.... "I discovered that that job didn't turn out to be a very good fit" or something like that. It will be very difficult to explain why you did not give notice because this is considered a very serious breach of professionalism.

Hope you find a job that is a much better fit for you.

[mcRN2b]

Thanks for your response.