Omit job from apps?

HappyNurse2005, RN · Nov 13, 2004

i am pretty sure past employers aren't really allowed to say anything negative about you-they can only answer the questions the current place asks them about you.

and you should say something on the app about the job. was it nursing related? if they find out you deliberately left it off the application, then they could fire you, since it is an at will employment state (i also live in one of those).

good luck! if it were me, i wouldnt push my luck by not putting it on there.

love, rose

NurseWeasel · Nov 13, 2004

What concerns me is that employers have ways of conveying dissatisfaction without actually coming right out and saying something negative about a former employee. I've done HR, I know how it goes.

It was indeed a nursing related position - I should have been smart enough to leave when the personality conflicts started, but I convinced myself to stick it out through the end of the summer... unfortunately it finally got so bad I couldn't take another minute of it and at that point it was 'quit without notice' or explode at someone. I took the high road, lol.

Aiyiyi. You're right... I need to put it on there. I guess I can just be honest about it, and if they bother to ask I can explain about it being a learning and growth opportunity. Lessons learned, eh? Let's hope the 'nursing shortage' overrides the desire to screen someone out for one blip on an otherwise great work history.

My other concern is that a former instructor, who knows about that experience, now works at one place I'm interested in working. She's got a vindictive streak, knows a lot of people, and it wouldn't surprise me one bit if she were to put a bug in someone's ear to check my application and see if I included that experience. Hmmm. I'd forgotten about that. Thanks for your reply... anyone else?

How to put the positive spin on it? *grin*

live4today, RN · Nov 13, 2004

I've had jobs where I've quit the same day or two to three weeks later, and do not mention them on my apps or resume. I do not mention them because those "minute jobs" aren't relevant to me. I don't personally care what the employer thinks about them being omitted. I'm the one who is "bringing in the money" for the employer by servicing the employer's customers. :rolleyes:

If I were you, I'd leave it off. It isn't relevant. If they find out about it and question you as to why you omitted it from your app, then honestly tell them that "it wasn't relevant anymore" in your opinion. :)

virmm1, LPN · Nov 13, 2004

Good question. I've been grappling with that one myself. Is there a chance that anyone who worked with you at that place will be at one of the new places you apply?

If you don't put it down , get hired then it turns out someone from the past comes back to haunt you. You could get fired for the ommision. If you get fired for omiting a past job then what? You'll be in the same position again, "Nip it in the bud" as Barney says.To be on the safe side, I would put it on the app. That way if they hire you and someone from your last job is there, you have been up front with the employer and won't be waiting for the axe to fall if you're ratted on. Mean people love to dish dirt on others. You can try to do damage control by telling them you left without notice ,you can say that you were being abused and left or that you had to leave the job because at that time ,school was the main priority. I'm guessing that like LPN school, fail a class and you're out of the program and schools don't care how close graduation is. Explain also that it is not your standard operating procedure. Although legally former employers can only give dates of employement and whether or not you're eligible for rehire.You never know what really goes on.

The only thing that can come from being honest is that you won't get that job. Eventually someone would hire you because just as there are a lot of mean,nasty people out there, there are also a lot of decent ones who have been in that same boat before.

You don't want a "liar" rep.

good luck and let us know how it goes.

virmm1, LPN · Nov 13, 2004

It's sad that mean and vindictive people are in positions to affect other people's lives . Many of them have no qualm about stabbing someone just because they know they can.

Monica RN,BSN · Nov 13, 2004

it was only 3 -4 months. you do not have to list it. You can just indicate in school at that time if you really wanted to accoun tfor the time.

The rules for reference information varied from state to state, but it is true that most states can only varify dates of employment with no mention of work history or if you are eligable for rehire.

I would not list it. too insignificant to cause a problem for ommision down the road.. now if you eliminated something that you were employed at for so 1 - 2 years or so.. then that is significant and needs to be listed, along with an explanation as to why you left. (Be honest if you have to explain.)

as for the short time you are talking about... dump it and don't worry about it.

Boe · Nov 13, 2004

Why not call the the facility and say "I am calling about Nurse Weasel..." and see first hand what they will say about you, then at least you'll know.

NurseWeasel · Nov 13, 2004

Ooooo, good one, Boe!

virmm1, LPN · Nov 14, 2004

Why not call the the facility and say "I am calling about Nurse Weasel..." and see first hand what they will say about you, then at least you'll know.

Splendid idea

nurturing_angel · Nov 14, 2004

I was at work the other day and actually heard a nursing supervisor giving a employee reference to a doctors office that called about another nurse. It happened right at the nursing station where I was stocking med carts and preparing for a med pass.

The things she said about the nurse needing a reference was not good. Yes, she confirmed that the nurse did indeed work there and the dates of employment but also went into her attendance record, how many times she had been disciplined for tardiness, patient complaints against her, on and on and on. I am sure this nurse did not get called back for another interview. I felt so bad for her....not only getting talked about so badly to a potenetial employer, but also having it done in such a public forum. I am sure if I heard it, the visitors, doctors and patients milling around the nurses station heard it too. So much for only confirming employment dates.

Vickie

VizslaMom · Nov 14, 2004

If the job was some time ago and you've worked other places since then...don't worry about it. It was only 3-4 months of employment anyway. What matters most is the reference from your most recent job.