Past coming back to bite me in the fanny?

[GadgetRN71, ASN, RN]

OK everyone, I need some advice. I have an interview Tuesday for an operating room RN position at a hospital in my area. This hospital is part of a large corporation of hospitals(about 5 or 6) and I think I could get some good experience there. About 6 years ago, I worked as a CST in one of their other hospitals-I trained for the open heart team and decided I didn't want to do it anymore, because one of the surgeons, while brilliant, is verbally abusive. I was in a verbally abusive relationship at the time, so I just couldn't deal with it.(nor should anyone have to...) I told them I would like to leave the team and they were not happy(turnover on this team was ridiculous because of the jerk surgeon) and they ended up terminating me. They did offer me the option of signing a resignation letter, because I hadn't really done anything wrong, but I knew if I signed it, then I couldn't apply for unemployment and I had bills, rent etc.

On the application form of this hospital I'm applying for, it asks if I've worked for any other hospital in the group. I was truthful, and said yes, but it didn't ask for further detail. Do you think the fact that I was let go by this other hospital will pretty much put me out of consideration? How much detail should I go into if/when the HR person asks? Anyone ever been in a similar situation? I mean, I really would like this job-I'm no longer with the abusive person and I think I've toughened up a lot. Let me know what you all think. TIA, Witchyrn

[steelcityrn, RN]

If they check into this and see termiated, chances are they will not call you back. If for some reason they do not see this, and call you for a interview, then bring this up about you working in the past I would just tell them you changed your mind about working in that position. That is the truth. Keep it simple.

[justme1972]

I wouldn't bring it up unless they did b/c they will ask you which hospital and they will find out anyway.

However, your explanation is valid. Explain that you had simply asked to be removed from the team b/c of a physician's behavior that you felt was unprofessional and directed toward you, and the hospital did not wish to transfer you. Explain that for financial reasons, you could not afford to resign, have grown alot in the medical field since then, etc.

[GadgetRN71, ASN, RN]

If they check into this and see termiated, chances are they will not call you back. If for some reason they do not see this, and call you for a interview, then bring this up about you working in the past I would just tell them you changed your mind about working in that position. That is the truth. Keep it simple.

Yes, I have an interview on Tuesday so I doubt they've checked into anything closely yet. I figured truthful(but not too specific) was the way to go, because on most applications it says if you leave things out or lie on the application, they can fire you later. I will try what you all suggested and if it doesn't work out, then it wasn't meant to be. Thanks.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Termination won't necessarily bar you forever from an institution.

Depends on the circumstances.

If asked, say something like:

"I was assigned to a team that had a very high turnover rate. When I went to resign, I was terminated."

If they ask, state: "The reason for the high turnover was a surgeon that many found hard to work with."

Try to keep it positive, and don't say more than you have to in order to answer the question.

[bethin]

I wouldn't bring it up unless they mentioned it. If they do mention it, explain the circumstances. Good luck!