Now what?

[NamasteNurse, BSN, RN]

I posted another thread about being on suspension pending investigation. Still no decision after 10 days! Started looking for jobs right away and had two good interviews. I think all I have to do is call this place and say yes! BUT...

I told them not to contact my current employer as they don't know I am looking for a new job. Which is true. I guess they think I'm home sitting on my hands hoping for them to call. Actually, I'd rather NOT go back at this point!

So, what are my options? Should I call employer who suspended me, tell them I quit and take new job? I am guessing it's better to quit than be fired. What about the 'new' employer? If I take the job will they just not bother calling old employer?

That's what disturbs me, that new job will find out I was suspended and so quit. I have never switched jobs before so please advise me. Thanks in advance!

[LaughingRN]

I think that the best way to maybe approach this is to be honest with the future employer.

State the facts.

If they rescind the offer, then they more than likely would have anyways (especially if they first heard of your previous situation directly from the "one sided" view of your current employer)

At least if you lose the opportunity, you had a chance to present your side of the story and the remedial efforts you are undertaking.

Definitely a touchy situation.

BTW, I am ignorant to the facts surrounding your suspension so take my advice with a grain of salt

[alphabetsoup]

True, it would help to know more specifics about your suspension. If the issue involved dispensing narcotics then that is a bit trickier than say, just generally bad documentation. The truth is, your potential employer may not even be compelled to check with your current employer. And if your license is clean, then they have even less of a reason to worry. But I do wonder, I you genuinely unhappy with your current employer or is it the threat of losing your job?

[NamasteNurse, BSN, RN]

It is both. I don't like where I am now. I don't want to reveal too much here about the suspension, but the documentation was with narcs. Nothing missing. My license is clean as of now. Thank you for your advice and interest. Trying not to freak out.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Wow, I would not be starting any kind of conversations with a potential new employer. Also, unless you have an offer in hand and then have formally accepted that offer, you don't have a new job. My advice is to keep interviewing and do not start getting chatty because you are in limbo right now.

[VivaRN]

I have a friend who went through almost this exact same situation. She made the mistake of waiting too long before accepting the new job, then was fired in the interim (this all took place during suspension) and had to explain that to the new employer. The new employer didn't think it was an issue. No harm done in the end, but now she has that termination in her work history that didn't have to be there.

If you think termination is in the future, or as you said, you don't want to go back - WITH OFFER IN HAND accept the new position and then call your old job to give your resignation. If you've accepted the position chances are the new employer won't contact the facility. Still, if I were you I would be upfront just so it doesn't look like you were hiding something if it comes out through the grapevine.

There are ways to say it diplomatically. "I did want to let you know I made a documentation error at my last facility. It was a hard lesson, but I learned from it and became a much more detail oriented nurse going forward." Then leave it. These things are soooo common in nursing (along with overzealous HR departments) all future employers want to know is that you took responsibility and learned from it. That is life.

Good luck!

[SilentfadesRPA]

Protect yourself and consider legal counsel.

All of the best to you in this horrible situation.

Marc

[DeLana_RN, BSN, RN]

From what I have read here over the years, it seems that suspensions typically lead to termination (unless it's due to something like the policy of a local hospital that a lab error will result in disciplinary action that includes 3 days suspension). Getting suspended is just so much more serious than a simpe "write-up".

Although I hesitate to advise anyone to quit a job in this horrible economy (I'm unemployed myself), it is always easier to explain a voluntary resignation (before you are asked to resign!!!) than a termination for any reason.

If you resign, you can simply state on your applications that the reason for leaving was "resigned"; you may never be asked to explain why, and your current employer probably won't tell if they call for a reference. However, you are fired, it gets a lot more complicated.

So my (cautious) advice, especially since your suspension has lasted so long, is to resign now. Send it by email and registered mail, just to cover all bases (and to make sure that they won't be able to fire you before they receive your resignation.

Best of luck to you,

DeLana

[NamasteNurse, BSN, RN]

thanks everyone.