Not for Rehire

[xoxLauren51xox]

This has been bothering me for quite awhile, so I would like to know some of your opinions on the subject...

I worked at a LTC facility two summers ago as a CNA, but ended up having to quit (on good terms and with a 2-week notice) because I found it to be too dificult to work there and go to nursing school at the same time. I applied again at the beginning of the summer to the same facility and was rehired on the spot. In fact, when I brought in my resume, some of the nurses told me how excited they were that I was back because I was reliable and a hard worker. However, after going through my orientation, I realized that the job was much different than the first time I worked there. They were ridiculously understaffed and required me to stay over 1-1 1/2 hours every day of my orientation. Everyone was constantly yelling at one another and the DON was leaving threatening notes about writing the aides up for trivial things all over the nurse's station. Basically, it was just a very bad work environment. I decided that I didn't want to work there for the remainder of the summer because the job made me cry everyday and thats not how I wanted to spend my summer break from nursing school. I gave them a two week notice and applied for a new job that isn't nursing related. My last day scheduled at the LTC facility was a Monday night shift. My orientation at the nursing home was on nights, so I assumed that the orientation for my new job, which I was also supposed to work nights, would be on nights as well. Since I wanted to work as much as possible in the summer since I do not work during the school year, I told my new job that I could start the same week that I was going to finish my schedule at the LTC facility, but informed them that I couldn't work Monday night, which was my final shift at the LTC facility. Unfortunately, though I would be working nights at my new job, they trained on days and scheduled me for 8am Tuesday morning, which was one hour after I finished my eight hour shift at the nursing home. I was very anxious to finish at the LTC facility and wanted to begin my new job, so I found someone to cover my last shift at the nursing home so that I could start my new job on Tuesday.

When I went to pick up my final check, I had to meet with the DON to sign some paperwork and she informed me that I am "not eligible for rehire" because I didn't finish my schedule. I cannot explain in words how angry I am. I never called off or came in late any time during my employment there aside from my last scheduled day, which I had covered by another aide and which was 12 days into my two week notice! I also stayed after every single time that I was asked, which was almost every single shift. I don't have the slightest desire to ever work there again, but I am afraid of what future employers may find out. I know that future employers can ask the dates employed, the position held and whether the employee is eligible for rehire and little else...but if the employer simply states that I am not eligible for rehire, I am afraid that I will not be able to find a job once I finish nursing school. I'm probably being ridiculous, but this has really been stressing me out. Some people have told me to just leave it off of applications, but I've read that future employers can find out about it. I don't feel that being "red flagged" at my previous employer accurately displays the type of worker that I know I am. I have excellent grades and have had perfect attendance at all of my past employers excluding that one shift that I had covered and that was 12 days into my two-week notice at the LTC facility. I have honestly been losing sleep over this because I work so hard to do well at work and school and am afraid that after paying thousands of dollars for my education, I won't be able to find a job because of my "not for rehire" status at the nursing home. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated...I realize now how important it is to go to your last shift and definitely won't be making that mistake again, but unfortunately that doesn't make me feel any better about my current situation =/

[caliotter3]

That was her way to get back at you for leaving her high and dry. Unfortunate, but not entirely unexpected. Employers take the last shot at ex-employees all the time. They know that few have the wherewithal to file a lawsuit against them so they do as much as they can get away with. You have to roll with the punches. Good luck on your new job.

[Itshamrtym]

I wouldn't worry about it. I think that it will be okay. I wouldn't use them as a reference. YOU acted in a very professional manner, but didn't receive the same treatment. And further more, if you were on orientation don't you have a period (90 days or so) to decide if this is some where you want to work. And also that you would be an employee that a employer would want as well. Why would they want to continue to orient/train you if you were going to leave????

I feel like you will be alright. Don't sweat it...... Take care and good luck with your next job!!!!! We NEED YOU!!! So hang in there....

[Platypus]

Something similar happened to me. The summer before my last semester of nursing school I had a CNA job that I worked very hard doing. Many times I was the only CNA on the 28-bed med-surg unit. Talking to fellow nursing students that had taken the final semester, they told me about the work load and it was beginning to concern me. I talked with my supervisor about the schedule for my last semester and if I can get weekends off. She told me that working every other weekend was required and I might be able to switch with the other day shift CNAs. There was only one other and he was a single guy. After a great deal of soul searching, I decidied there was no way I could continue the job and school at the same time, so I gave 2 weeks notice. When my last day came, I met with mixed attitudes from the nurses, some had a nasty attitude saying "she couldn't hack it" and others threw me an impromptu party wishing me good luck.

After I graduated from nursing school, I had applied to the hospital for jobs on their website and had not heard anything. I went to a job fair and saw the HR director and talked with her. All I got was attitude from her. I was there for 3 months, she said "you only worked for a few hours" and She said, how do we know you won't do it again. All I could think about was there are no guarantees for anyone. I couldn't figure out what I did, other than giving a 2-week notice. I have been told by nurses that 2-week notices are unacceptable - we need to give 1 month apparently. But I do wonder what they tell people when they call for references for me.

I contacted my supervisor for a letter of recommendation, she said I wasn't there long enough for her to form an opinion. I was there the full 90 days they required before doing their first evaluation. I suppose if I stayed another 2 weeks it would have made a difference. Unfortunately, this was one hospital among a chain of hospitals in the area and chances are none of them will call me if I am on a do not rehire list.

[meluhn]

This would really bother me too. I think it is a very low blow for the DON to do to you. One possible way you can get around it is if you have a good relationship with the charge nurse or someone in management other than the DON, you could give them as a reference instead and put their direct phone number on your next application. If you are very young and just out of school, your resume could just go back a couple of years and skip this job. I wouldn't sweat it too much, its not going to ruin you but it does stink. Good luck.

[nickos]

Hey Lauren,

sounds to me like you did the best you could. When I first started caregiving, I left one job due to serious drama and went to another that paid much less but was a much more positive working environment. Within three months, my car died (I lived 45 minutes away) and a bunch of other financial garbage, and I came back to the first job with my tail between my legs. Gotta pay the bills! Anyway, it's been about 10 years and since I was only at that job for three months I don't even put it on my resume. I would certainly tell the truth if asked, but I have never had an issue with it.

I agree with the poster that said you can either leave it off future resumes, or choose a coworker that you had a good working relationship with as your reference from that job. Also, you can put it on your resume and simply answer any questions a prospective employer may ask. If I were interviewing you, and you told me the truth about why and how you left (without bitterness or negativity) I wouldn't hold it against you...if anything; I'd admire that you know your limits, want to do a good job, and are honest. :)

Best of luck!

[Straydandelion]

I found someone to cover my last shift at the nursing home so that I could start my new job on Tuesday.

I personally wouldn't use them as reference however if you have to.. find a co-worker for the reference but also explain to the position applying for that you didn't work the last night due to another job the next day, but would have if you hadn't found someone to take your shift. That is the sole reason why they deemed you not for re-hire. IMO most wouldn't consider this terrible enough not to hire you, and would also appreciate your truthful response.

[sasha2lady]

I wouldnt sweat this at all. Guess what my DON bases her hiring on? Nope...its not your references thats for sure b/c they dont check references at my place...its not your work record or the fact that you were fired from 4 facilities,or that you stole meds, or that you have a criminal background thats 4 pages long........if you come in and have a firm handshake..you are hired! No kidding...that came straight from her mouth to my ears. My former DONs always checked references. If someone applied and had a crminal background they were not hired....end of story. I too think that she just did that as a way to say "haha....ill get you back.". No wonder nobody wants to hang around there. You dont even have to put that place down on future applications since you were there such a short time anyways. Ill give a prime example of the poor hiring abilities of my boss....over the past few years she has hired several nurses that were fired for stealing narcotics at the other facilities they worked at. She hired a nurse last year who has a huge criminal background full of assault charges and drug charges (marijuana)...which doesnt matter apparently since my facility has never in the 9 yrs Ive been there done an employment drug screen on anybody nor have they done a random on anyone. ......and she just hired a girl I know who has been fired from 2 other local facilities due to multiple complaints on her from other staff, families and patients....because she is rude, loud, obnoxious and unprofessional. My boss asked me if I knew her...and the only thing I could tell her was that she was just a really weird person. and she said she didnt care about what people did outside of work ...umm......duh....she should care b/c some things directly reflect yourself on the job. I didnt say a word about her work record at other places because I think the boss needs a good dose of her own medicine since she treats us so bad. This girl got fired for cussing out the DON at one of the facilities she worked at .All I can say is that this should be an experience to watch.

[caliotter3]

I didnt say a word about her work record at other places because I think the boss needs a good dose of her own medicine since she treats us so bad. This girl got fired for cussing out the DON at one of the facilities she worked at .All I can say is that this should be an experience to watch.

I would find myself going around trying to be present to watch the event. Anyone who cusses out the boss has got to be an entertaining soul.