Job Hopper, concerned

Nurses Job Hunt

Published

I had a few interviews for a job that I really really want. During the interview process I quit my previous job because it was dangerous for me and my patients and I did not feel safe. At my last interview, I did not inform the potential employers that I quit because they did not ask me any questions that required me to disclose it, and I stupidly thought it would make me look bad to bring it up.

About a week ago they called and said they were doing a background check, and found out I quit my job. I explained that I quit during the interview and they sounded okay with it. Now it's been a week and I still haven't heard back. I am so worried.

I am a new nurse and I already quit 2 Nursing Jobs because both ended up being dangerous to me and/or my patients. Both jobs were "revolving doors" where pretty much everyone quit after they found something better or if they had family support. I have family support but I feel extremely discouraged.

I feel like given my job hopping history, the only jobs I will be considered for are other dangerous jobs, rather than stable employers, and I am planning to change professions if this job doesn't work out.

Will i I be rejected from this job for quitting my last job?

When I determine that my employer won't provide me with gloves, I provide my own. I won't quit my job over it. When I see an electrical hazard on the job, I put the equipment out of service, if only by unplugging it, and report it to maintenance and my supervisor. What is it about the employers you select that you have been physically assaulted at two jobs in a row? Did you report the assaults to the police? Now, this I see as a legitimate reason to leave a job. When my stalker would not leave me alone, I left. But guess what? That did not stop the employer from blacklisting me when I got to my new area! If it is that bad for you, you may find yourself out of nursing not by your own choice.

there is a lot worse but I don't want to say here. I want to be anyonymous and I don't want them to find me or to be identified. Even this was too detailed.

if me doing this makes me a bad nurse, not hardworking enough, not dedicated enough, etc. then I don't want to be a nurse.

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There have been a number of magazine articles since the economic crash and high unemployment that documented that, in any field, not just nursing, people who are currently unemployed (even if it wasn't their choice) are at a significant disadvantage in the job-hunting process. Employers prefer to hire people who are already employed, and people who are currently unemployed, for whatever reason, are seen as "damaged goods" to some degree. There were even documented cases, during the worst of the economic slump, of employers posting job listings (not in nursing specifically) that specifically said that they were only interested in currently employed applicants, and the unemployed need not apply. There was a lot of discussion of this in the general media a few years back.

So, yes, this potential employer finding out that you just resigned your previous job may have hurt your chances with them, esp. since it sounds like you already have at least two short-tenure positions on your resume' (and now a ?third). They may also consider your not having volunteered that information to them in the interview to be a level of dishonesty that they find unacceptable. Who knows. It certainly didn't help you, though.

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if me doing this makes me a bad nurse, not hardworking enough, not dedicated enough, etc. then I don't want to be a nurse.

Please stop with statements like this. It makes you look histrionic and immature. Instead, come up with concrete plans about what you intend to do about your future.

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There have been a number of magazine articles since the economic crash and high unemployment that documented that, in any field, not just nursing, people who are currently unemployed (even if it wasn't their choice) are at a significant disadvantage in the job-hunting process. Employers prefer to hire people who are already employed, and people who are currently unemployed, for whatever reason, are seen as "damaged goods" to some degree. There were even documented cases, during the worst of the economic slump, of employers posting job listings (not in nursing specifically) that specifically said that they were only interested in currently employed applicants, and the unemployed need not apply. There was a lot of discussion of this in the general media a few years back.

So, yes, this potential employer finding out that you just resigned your previous job may have hurt your chances with them, esp. since it sounds like you already have at least two short-tenure positions on your resume' (and now a ?third). They may also consider your not having volunteered that information to them in the interview to be a level of dishonesty that they find unacceptable. Who knows. It certainly didn't help you, though.

it was just 2 jobs not 3

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
there is a lot worse but I don't want to say here. I want to be anyonymous and I don't want them to find me or to be identified. Even this was too detailed.

if me doing this makes me a bad nurse, not hardworking enough, not dedicated enough, etc. then I don't want to be a nurse.

I know for a fact that I was too immature when I was working as an LVN. I look back at all the jobs I had & I'm embarrassed. Only one came close to a year & they let me go.

I see the reasons you quit, I would've bought gloves & removed improper working equipment as well. But as for getting assaulted, that would be a good reason for leaving a job.

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Agree with both OP and previous posters. That job makes it seem as though you were working at a nearly-bankrupt psyc unit in a prison. oy vey! however, yes many new grads state that the work is "dangerous" when it really is the new grad who can't keep up in a full patient assignment. that's not dangerous - that's just the expectations of hospital nursing. i have a hard time believing that gloves were not provided (sorry I just do). my best advice is to try a doctor's office not in the same location as your prior two jobs, get some experience, then apply to a hospital after at least a year. good luck to you.

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That job makes it seem as though you were working at a nearly-bankrupt psyc unit in a prison. [/Quote]

thats a pretty close guess

i took the first place that hired me without any questions. I thought I was being smart because I saw how hard of a time my friends were having getting jobs. Then I saw that they who waited several months to a year ended up with good hospital positions. I should have waited too instead of rushing.

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I know for a fact that I was too immature when I was working as an LVN. I look back at all the jobs I had & I'm embarrassed. Only one came close to a year & they let me go.

I see the reasons you quit, I would've bought gloves & removed improper working equipment as well. But as for getting assaulted, that would be a good reason for leaving a job.

Not really, unless it was a staff member doing the assaulting. Staff are injured by patients from time to time which is when you call security and the police. I wouldn't leave a job after being hit by a patient, I would involve the police. Now if staff is assaulting you, that is a different matter altogether and the police still need to become involved, but that wouldn't intimidate me into leaving before finding new employment.

Why is OP drawn to multiple "dangerous" employment situations is the real question of the hour? I would move to a new state(and better neighborhood) and start over were I in OP's position/mind frame.

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Agree with both OP and previous posters. That job makes it seem as though you were working at a nearly-bankrupt psyc unit in a prison. oy vey! however, yes many new grads state that the work is "dangerous" when it really is the new grad who can't keep up in a full patient assignment. that's not dangerous - that's just the expectations of hospital nursing. i have a hard time believing that gloves were not provided (sorry I just do). my best advice is to try a doctor's office not in the same location as your prior two jobs, get some experience, then apply to a hospital after at least a year. good luck to you.

ooops...

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Twice?:sleep:

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Not really, unless it was a staff member doing the assaulting. Staff are injured by patients from time to time which is when you call security and the police. I wouldn't leave a job after being hit by a patient, I would involve the police. Now if staff is assaulting you, that is a different matter altogether and the police still need to become involved, but that wouldn't intimidate me into leaving before finding new employment.

Why is OP drawn to multiple "dangerous" employment situations is the real question of the hour? I would move to a new state(and better neighborhood) and start over were I in OP's position/mind frame.

Well, my health & safety always comes first. If I got assaulted regardless if it was by a patient or coworker I would start looking for a new job. I have been a nurse for 5 years, worked in corrections for most of those years & have never worried for my safety or if anyone would attack me.

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Not really, unless it was a staff member doing the assaulting. Staff are injured by patients from time to time which is when you call security and the police. I wouldn't leave a job after being hit by a patient, I would involve the police. Now if staff is assaulting you, that is a different matter altogether and the police still need to become involved, but that wouldn't intimidate me into leaving before finding new employment.

Why is OP drawn to multiple "dangerous" employment situations is the real question of the hour? I would move to a new state(and better neighborhood) and start over were I in OP's position/mind frame.

I was "drawn" to them simply because I got hired instantaneously and I thought beggars can't be choosers.

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