Good Morning! I am looking for some advice and reassurance, if possible. I am an RN with 23 years experience. I just successfully completed 3 years of probation for "failure to follow facility policy/procedure regarding medication destruction." I was working in home health when this happened. Probation started 9/2013 and I successfully petitioned to have my license returned to active status in 11/2016.
I am starting to look for a new job and am worried that when potential employers see that I have been disciplined in the past, my resume will be thrown in the garbage. I am incredibly worried and depressed. Please, does anyone have any positive words or wisdom or stories they would be willing to share?
That's great to hear, and so reassuring. I was a DON for years but then started a family and had trouble balancing young kids with the responsibilities of the job. But, the kids are older now and don't need mom as much as they used to. I'm going to look into management positions. Great idea!
Also, I am NOT on the OIG exclusion list....thank goodness!
Specializes in Operating room nurse/educator - Neurosurgery.
I tried all of your tips above and the minute the future employer's HR department finds out - it is a dear john letter within days. The nurses hire me, but the HR departments look at me like I have the plague. I wish I could have a happy face to share, but I have a ton of critical care, Level I, neurosurgery experience and I can not even get a long term nursing job. Best of luck!!
I got a job! From hustling and going to that job fair at the end of March. I didn't want to jinx it and post anything until my background check cleared....which it did, yesterday. It's case management for a nationally known insurance company. I start this Monday.
Blessings to you all. Since January I had sent out over 100 resumes and only had a handful of phone interviews. Going to a job fair and interviewing face to face is what made it happen for me.
Make sure that your license is coming up in your BRN website as fully restored. There should be no language attached to your name or license that it has ever been disciplined if you completed probation successfully.
Update your resume and DO NOT put your probation on it. Think of something to put down for the years you were on probation and not working.... get creative and stick to this story at your interviews.
Consider taking an RN refresher program that offers a preceptorship. Pick a preceptorship
in an area of nursing that interests you and that is not as popular with most nurses. Perform like a superstar during your preceptorship and talk to them about your desire to stay on as a full time employee. I'm currently halfway through my 3 year probation. I was super fortunate to have a dr acquaintance who hired me for the 6 month required supervised work requirement of probation. Unfortunately it did not work out for the long term.i haven't been able to find another nursing job since. I'm super fortunate that I got that part of my probation met. I honestly feel like it is impossible to be hired as a disciplined nurse. This process is absolutely torturous! Especially when the BRN decides to discipline someone for a misdemeanor that was not in any way related to nursing. Did you know that doctors and attorneys are not even required to disclose misdemeanors to their licensing boards? Only nurses and CPA's. If I was an MD none of this would be happening to me right now. Good luck to you.
Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.
I got a job! From hustling and going to that job fair at the end of March. I didn't want to jinx it and post anything until my background check cleared....which it did, yesterday. It's case management for a nationally known insurance company. I start this Monday.
Blessings to you all. Since January I had sent out over 100 resumes and only had a handful of phone interviews. Going to a job fair and interviewing face to face is what made it happen for me.
You all give me hope. I have been a RN for almost 12 years with no company complaints nor patient complaints. I went through a horrible divorce four years ago and in summary all went wrong for me while under severe anxiety & depression. I survived it all and have worked as a traveling RN for past three years until I was placed on probation as of Nov. 2018. I am feeling la, those hopeless feelings and missing nursing so much. I will look into job fairs as well. I appreciate your conversation as it's such a blessing to me. Grateful and blessed. Thanks again :)
I was charged with possession of a dangerous drug a misdemeanor and I have applied everywhere and finally got an interview.. they said I could start orientation then called me the next day and told me not to come into orientation they decided not to pursue my application... When I asked why she rudely said because we decided no other to pursue it. Would not give me a reason.. I'm devastated. I was so excited . I have been out of work for 7 months now. I feel like giving up.
I feel like giving up too. I'm so sorry. But we have to keep the faith and keep trying. Thank you for commenting and sharing your struggles. We can help empower one another.
Emod
13 Posts
That's great to hear, and so reassuring. I was a DON for years but then started a family and had trouble balancing young kids with the responsibilities of the job. But, the kids are older now and don't need mom as much as they used to. I'm going to look into management positions. Great idea!
Also, I am NOT on the OIG exclusion list....thank goodness!