No nursing jobs right now- what to do?

Nurses Career Support

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Hey guys, so I unfortunately had a bad job reference given to me by a previous employer who's HR manager told me upfront that she will only disclose my employment dates, position, and maybe my hourly wage.

I have applied to several jobs at a hospital where I really really want to work for, in my area.

I have been interviewed by two different departments in that hospital, and selected one of the two departments to start working full-time. Two weeks later, HR office of the hospital called me and told me that I have an initial offer for the job. I was so happy, excited, and really felt like I was on cloud 9 that day!

Then came the background check round. One of my previous jobs was at a long-term care facility as a CNA. There were instances where I submitted complaints of co-workers to the DON and supervisor. I also complained about the scheduling manager who was telling me to show up for computer training for a certain day. When i showed up, she giggled and told me the computer training was cancelled. I also reported a co-worker who was mistreating one of the elderly residents, to the scheduling manager, only to have my concerns go out her other ear. That co-worker eventually got fired when another security staff member saw that person yank an elderly resident out from her wheelchair.

To make a long-story short, this long-term care facility's HR office has given me bad reference to the background check company that's contracted with the HR of the hospital where I want to work at.

Now my job prospect is goners, down the toilet bowl. No job, no way to even pay my upcoming monthly student loans.

I have just graduated from nursing school and had all my plans lined up to be a tech within the hospital, and eventually apply for the new graduate RN program after I pass my NCLEX-RN exam.

Now, that dream is GONE. heck, my ENTIRE NURSING CAREER is basically OVER. Life is OVER!

What can I do to collect money? Should I apply for government-assistance/aid?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

There is little government assistance. Are you unemployed through no fault of your own? As in were you laid off? (Quit or termination with cause often disqualifies you from unemployment). Are you homeless? You are not uneducated if you just graduated. You can negotiate with your lender regarding loan payments if they are federal student loans. Have you applied anywhere else? Sub acute, long term care, long term acute care, home health, inpatient rehab, psych, assisted living? In order to prove unemployment you had to have worked a specified number of hours in the past 18 months, job eliminated or laid off, and prove that you are actively seeking employment by demonstrating at least 3-5 applications/week to any job in your area that you are reasonably qualified.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Eveyone (and their mamas) wants the exalted acute care hospital job.

However, employers outside the hospital pay less attention to negative references. There are Nursing Jobs in long term care, hospice, private duty, home health, prisons, jails, psychiatric facilities, physical rehab centers, doctors offices, methadone clinics, group homes, and other non-acute care settings.

my ENTIRE NURSING CAREER is basically OVER. Life is OVER!
I think we're being a tad bit dramatic when claiming that life is over due to one rescinded job offer. Life is 10 percent what happens to us and about 90 percent how we react to it. Good luck to you.
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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

Well... Before I went to nursing school I got into an accident where my fiancé and were hit by a car walking across the street... She was an ER nurse and died from her injuries. I went to a trauma hospital and was in critical condition... I got out of the trauma unit and found out I got accepted into nursing school... I struggled through nursing school because I had to teach myself to read again but at the same time keep up with the workload... I was always on academic probation but I worked hard and never gave up... After I graduated nursing school... I got a job in San Diego CA at a job where they let me go... I just bugged the new director to re-hire me... I went straight into a Masters program to prevent myself from paying my loans plus it will further my education in nursing for any future positions... I worked hard... and got another job in northern CA to attend my DNP FNP program... I fly back n forth from SD to SF... and I get paid well... So my advice to you is never give up... and at times you will have to make sacrifices... But thinking positive and continuing your education will only make you a stronger nurse... Hope that lifts your spirits up in not giving up.., I'm an ER and Public Health Nurse...

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You are an inspiration.

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Well... Before I went to nursing school I got into an accident where my fiancé and were hit by a car walking across the street... She was an ER nurse and died from her injuries. I went to a trauma hospital and was in critical condition... I got out of the trauma unit and found out I got accepted into nursing school... I struggled through nursing school because I had to teach myself to read again but at the same time keep up with the workload... I was always on academic probation but I worked hard and never gave up... After I graduated nursing school... I got a job in San Diego CA at a job where they let me go... I just bugged the new director to re-hire me... I went straight into a Masters program to prevent myself from paying my loans plus it will further my education in nursing for any future positions... I worked hard... and got another job in northern CA to attend my DNP FNP program... I fly back n forth from SD to SF... and I get paid well... So my advice to you is never give up... and at times you will have to make sacrifices... But thinking positive and continuing your education will only make you a stronger nurse... Hope that lifts your spirits up in not giving up.., I'm an ER and Public Health Nurse...

WOW!!!! :D Congratulations!

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If you want to pursue that opportunity I would seek legal counsel if your previous employer is slandering you.

You can always leave the name of a coworker as a reference instead if you just decide to apply somewhere else.

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