RELIABILITY RISK/READY TO GO BACK Please geive advice??

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Feb 28, 2005

The best thing to do is be truthful.

Jolie, BSN · Feb 28, 2005

I agree with BBG. Be truthful, and then be prepared to demonstrate to the interviewer how you have matured, accepted responsibility, overcome the personal difficulties that have impacted on your work attendance and performance, and how you plan to deal with unexpected stressors in the future.

I once interviewed a candidate for a position in our NICU who came accross very well in the interview. I was interested in hiring her, and contacted her previous employer for information regarding her dates of employment. They indicated she had been dismissed for chronic absenteeism. I then contacted a co-worker she had given as a reference, who indicated the same problem. I tried to discuss these issues over the phone with the candidate, as I was still convinced that she could be an asset to the unit. She became very defensive and blamed her absenteeism on every one but herself. If she had just acknowledged her problem, and been willing to discuss it, I may have hired her. Her defensive attitude changed my mind.

5FrSilastic · Feb 28, 2005

I agree with BBG. Be truthful, and then be prepared to demonstrate to the interviewer how you have matured, accepted responsibility, overcome the personal difficulties that have impacted on your work attendance and performance, and how you plan to deal with unexpected stressors in the future.
I once interviewed a candidate for a position in our NICU who came accross very well in the interview. I was interested in hiring her, and contacted her previous employer for information regarding her dates of employment. They indicated she had been dismissed for chronic absenteeism. I then contacted a co-worker she had given as a reference, who indicated the same problem. I tried to discuss these issues over the phone with the candidate, as I was still convinced that she could be an asset to the unit. She became very defensive and blamed her absenteeism on every one but herself. If she had just acknowledged her problem, and been willing to discuss it, I may have hired her. Her defensive attitude changed my mind.

Thank you Bittybabygrower, Jolie. It honestly didn't occur to me that ANY manager would be interested in a verified chronic absentee. One question, Jolie, since you seem to be in a position of hiring...... HOW do I demonstrate this, other than the fact that I have been employed for almost 2 years. Since I have not worked in NICU since, all of it would be lip service, or so it would seem..... to the interviewer. How do I convey to them , not only my ability to focus on my career, but, in addition, in those two units where I did work, I learned Sooooo much. The units were large high acuity NICU's, with an in depth orientation with each of them, plus the fact that I took responsibility for my own learning. But now that I think of it, it really doesnt matter what I learned or not, because they hire new grads all the time with no problem.!!!Another factor is, I dont want them thinking that I am not sure IF I even want NICU, when thats the farthest from the truth.It is ALL I want. As you can see, I put myself in a position where I am not confident. I know I can be an asset to any unit, just from the sheer devotion I have to this area of nsg, I just dont know how to prove it. Keep the opinions coming, guys. I really appreciate it........

Jolie, BSN · Mar 1, 2005

I would have no difficulty believeing that NICU is where your interests truly lie. I assume that you are a relatively young woman, in your childbearing years, which is common for nurses with a desire to work in OB and NICU. You have an interest in the areas of nursing care that correspond to your "stage in life". Also, most nurses who orient in the NICU either hate it and leave quickly, or love it and stay forever. Circumstances got in the way of your "staying forever", but I have no doubt that the NICU is where your heart is.

I would explain to an interviewer openly and candidly, (without going into too much of the melodrama of your personal life), that you responded impulsively to personal circumstances which had nothing to do with your first employer. Acknowledge that you handled the situation unprofessionally, and that you regret the impact this had on your employer, co-workers and patients. Continue on to explain that in taking your second job, your overwhelming desire to return to the NICU got the best of you and you failed to investigate the position thoroughly. Do not trash your second employer, but do offer examples of why this unit was not a "good fit" for you...too little orientation, too few experienced nurses to mentor you, poor nurse-patient ratios, etc. Be specific and objective. Again acknowledge your part in this by stating that you never should have accepted and started a new job without having housing lined up in advance, etc.

Once the "confession" is over, begin to stress your strengths. That is a standard interview question that you should prepare for in advance. Ask your current supervisor or a trusted co-worker to write a reference letter which you can take to the interview with you. Stress your conscientiousness in patient care, your attention to detail, your attendance record at this job, your ability to adapt to unexpected circumstances (which must come up in home health), your continuing education in pediatrics/neonatal care. Be ready to cite actual examples of these. Consider obtaining NRP certification or attending a NICU conference in advance of any interviews to demonstrate your commitment to this field, and your initiative in educating yourself. Ask a parent of a long-term patient to write a reference for you, again to take to the interview. These reference letters will not replace Human Resources's requirements to check into past employment, but they may sway a manager to continue along the interview process with you.

Consider taking a prn position in the NICU at first. If I were to seriously consider a candidate who had some "reliability issues", I would probably want to try that person on a "casual" basis at first. These types of positions pose a minimal risk to the unit and hospital. Orientation is minimal and no benefits are offered, thus there is little cost to take on the new employee. After a probation period is successfully completed, with the candidate meeting his/her requirement for holiday and weekend time, and observing the person's work to be satisfactory, I would probably be willing to offer a full-time position, when one opens up.

Good luck to you!

5FrSilastic · Mar 1, 2005

Jolie, I thank you. You have no idea how much you helped me with your opinion/advice. What I think I will do first, is research how I can take NRP without being affiliated with a hospital. (mine has expired) , and also look into the S.T.A.BL.E program to . Then, if I get an interview, I will be open and honest, per your advice. I have had the strength part of the interview in my head for a year now, lol, but had no idea what to say about the work history. I would deffinitely work per diem , casual, etc, heck, I will take what I can get... but my findings have been that employers want the nurse to have experience of 2 years or more,and combined, I only have about 9 months. I will get these things squared away before I even apply anywhere. I have yet another question..... I found out that the 2 nurse mgrs have left the 2 NICU's I worked in. When asked for names of supervisors, who should I give? My intuition tells me, that with my issues already, if I dont give them names, that raises more suspicion. But they can verify that they indeed leave, if they call those hospitals... but I am not sure what a previous hosp can say in a reference call......Also, when I realized what I had done, I called my mgr from the first NICU.( a month or so after) She said they were worried about me, sounded genuinely concerned. However, I asked if I could possibly return, she said she would find out ,as it was not just her decision.... she called back, and said she was sorry, but I couldnt. I learned I was in their system as a "do not rehire" , but is this negotiable,based on circumstances, or written in stone? If I could get back to this hospital, I would not desire to relocate. This is the ONLY NICU in my area. Should I attempt approaching them again, or do you think thats beating a dead horse, looking like a stalker, LOL, etc. Should I send the current mgr a resume and cover letter directly, bypassing HR?.... or forget this particular NICU?

Jolie, BSN · Mar 1, 2005

I think the most important thing to keep in mind is that it will take time to work your way out of this situation. Time and patience are key here to showing a potential employer that you have matured and become a more professional and responsible person.

I don't know how it works at the hospital you are considering, but at the hospital where I managed a NICU, Human Resources was a necessary evil in the hiring process, but not a particularly helpful one. I had some authority in the hiring process, but was not the ultimate decision maker. If a candidate came thru HR, and administration wanted me to hire that person, she would get hired, whether or not I truly believed her to be qualified. If there was a candidate that administration did not want hired, she would not get hired, regardless of how qualified she was. Keeping that in mind, I think you need to make your peace with HR/administration first.

Call HR and ask to speak to the nurse recruiter. Tell the nurse recruiter that you are not requesting an interview at this time, but would like to meet with her for an informational session to discuss how you can improve your work history and and overcome past employment problems so that you may one day qualify for re-hire at that institution.

Go to the appointment armed with your resume, reference letters, continuing education certificates, etc. and be prepared to discuss your past work history objectively. Be ready to discuss your strengths and your plan of action to prepare yourself for NICU employment. Inquire about the possibility of taking a prn position at a reputable hospital to establish your skills and reliability. Ask if there is anything she can recommend that would prompt the hospital to rethink their "do not rehire" stance. If the session goes well, ask if it would be appropriate for you to contact the NICU manager or peds manager for further information. (You might want to consider a peds prn position, just to get your foot in the door.)

If she is unable or unwilling to be of help to you, then it would probably be best to move on to another institution. One work of caution: Don't accept an undesirable position anywhere just to get back into the NICU. You can't afford another mistake in employment. It would be better to stay where you are and continue to build a good work record in peds homecare than to jump into and out of another bad NICU situation.

As far as your former nurse manager, if you can contact her, perhaps she would be willing to advocate for you to a potential employer. I am no longer employed at the hospital where I managed, but have been contacted at home on occasion to give references for former employees, especially those who never worked for the current nurse manager. I wouldn't try to bury the reference information from your previous employers. It is easy for a potential employer to find it. Better to be prepared to discuss it objectively, and emphasize how you have changed.

Lastly, I can literally hear how much you want to get back to the NICU. But don't come off as desperate or whiny. That is a huge turn off. Present yourself professionally, and you will get there eventually!

5FrSilastic · Mar 1, 2005

Lastly, I can literally hear how much you want to get back to the NICU. But don't come off as desperate or whiny. That is a huge turn off. Present yourself professionally, and you will get there eventually!

Exactly, I dont want to sound like I did here, and like I really am, heartsick and desperate to return.A big reason why I came to this board for advice. Ya know when your too close to something to think of the right words to convey? Thats how it is with me. I will contact the nurse recruiter, as soon as I get those things together.... As far as a peds position... this hospital is a specialty hosp for women only.... onc, ob/gyn l& d, hi risk ante partum, and NICU. Thanks for the insight re: HR influence on hiring, I actually thought managers had the last say in ALL hosp/units, since they are the best in knowing the qualifications needed in their unit......(of course excluding people hand picked, but thats another issue) .. And about the advice against jumping in to any NICU. I must confess, in my mind the decision was made up to take ANY position in ANY NICU, because I told myself I dont care what the conditions are, I will do it, and be lucky to have it.I just want to get my career started again. Seeing you actually write that, makes me understand it is not so smart to do that. A big hug to you, sincerely. Your posts have given me alot of inspiration, ideas and insight that I could get NOWHERE else. If I knew you, lunch, at the least, would be on me!!!! Thanks again. I'm sure I will have more to discuss in the near future...... lol

Jolie, BSN · Mar 1, 2005

Thanks for your kind words. And again, good luck!

NoCrumping · Mar 18, 2005

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HI managers, EXPERIENCED NURSES, ANYBODY ELSE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT WITH THIS!!! I really need some advice/input. Here is how it is. I graduated nsg school 3 years ago, went right into a NICU, loved it, dove right into being responsible for my own learning of about this area, did excellent on my orientation, did well on my own for about 2 months.2 months plus the 3 on orientation. This was a top notch facility, and I knew it. Well, my personal life/ emotional issues (nothing to do with NICU nsg) forced me, or I should rather just say, I called in sick for about 4 days, then just never called back or went back. I was running from my problems in my personal life, and I was embarrassed to contact my managers. I actually left the state, to live with my friend. COMPLETELY UNPROFESSIONAL. I realize. I regretted it the minute I came to my senses. A few months go by, and I get a position in another NICU , in the new state I am in. I am there for 3 months. This situation , now, was less than ideal. I was commuting back and forth, staying at my friends on my days on, and driving back home to my family 3.5 hours away on days off. All the while, the plan is to permanantly move there. Well, this place was an absolute terrible place to work, they had every issue under the sun, and with my current situation of going back and forth, being tired, comparing it to the place I used to work at , etc.... well I left there too. So, I went home, took a position w/ a home care agency, taking only pediatric/preemie cases. I have been there for a year and a half. This is my problem: NICU nursing is the ONLY thing I went to nsg school for, It's all I want to do, ever. I cant even to stand to go near that first hospital, I start to cry, literally. I cant believe what I did, and I dont know how to fix it. I know I can never work at that hospital again.... BUT, I reallize I had issues to overcome, and I DID. These issues had nothing to do with any substance abuse, no performance issues, nothing like that. But I am fully aware that being a job hopper , or whatever I am, appears UNRELIABLE and UNPROFESSIONAL. I need some advice on how to overcome this . I need to get back into NICU and re-start my career. How do I do this? If you were a manager, interviewing me, how could I say/demonstrate my ability to now focus on my career in your unit, to convince you I am not a risk, but someone who made some mistakes but is ready to go back? What would make you want to even take a chance on me? This is such a big part of my life. I cant stand not being in an area of nursing that I love, and UNDERSTAND very well. I am simply a mediocre nurse in any other area. I was an EXCEPTIONAL NICU nurse, given my short time there, so I had been told. I take ceu's in that area almost daily, I am always reading and re reading the textbooks, clinical guides, etc. In my mind, its like I never left. My heart is there. I live in a small state, that first nicu is the only one here. Me and my family are hoping to relocate. How can I relay this to a future employer/manager ? Do I tell all, like I did here, and come off as a real nut job who has many issues? ( I DID, I dont now!!!) Or should I just feel lucky I have a nursing job at all, and forget NICU alltogether? Please, give me some advice. As you can read, I am desperate, and I dont know what to do about this. Thank you so much in advance for whatever advice you offer.....

I feel sorry for your dilemma. But be confident, you will get back in. Can you take courses like s.t.a.b.l.e. and NRP while not being employed by a hospital? I was just thinking that would look like your serious, dedicated. But I am not sure if they offer those courses to non employees, since hospitals hold the classes???

NoCrumping · Jun 27, 2005

I feel sorry for your dilemma. But be confident, you will get back in. Can you take courses like s.t.a.b.l.e. and NRP while not being employed by a hospital? I was just thinking that would look like your serious, dedicated. But I am not sure if they offer those courses to non employees, since hospitals hold the classes???

HI... I dont know if you had any luck yet, but I had a friend in your situation, in another area of nursing. She had alot of call outs, a few errors, etc. she was going through a divorce, and little did she know at the time, it was affecting her work. well, she got an interview in an ICU,its been a year and a half since the divorce, she wasnt working... and just spilled her guts and owned up to all of her issues, and assured them that things were under control now..... Just wanted to say be honest... dont give up... from what I read, it doesnt sound that bad..... keep us posted!!!! :balloons: