Screwed

[Town & Country]

I guess most of yous guys read my former thread:

(Re: I Don't Think So!)

Well I signed up with a nursing agency that someone had recommended to me.

Guess what....

.....they want refs from former employers...

They evidently talked to my former employer and they did me the favor of telling this nurse agency what a "bad" (ahem) nurse I am (for asking for another nurse or CMT or SOMEBODY to help me cover a shift with 67 residents), and now I got a letter, saying that "thank you", but this agency cannot represent me.

(It also has several agencies "under" it...)

It isn't fair.

I was doing the "right thing" IMO, looking out for the residents' safety, and now I cannot go through agencies...I wonder sometimes if I was wrong.

After all, I do have two children to support.

What do you have to do to keep a JOB?

Just totally not give a about your patients/residents, and their SAFETY?

GEEZE!

What about my kids?

I wanted to do agency nursing, but if they are require refs from former employers I am screwed unless I just leave that one off my resume.

Any thoughts?

I just want to be a good nurse.

I want to be the kind of nurse I was taught to be in nursing school, but when you DO THAT in REAL LIFE, you get in trouble! What am I supposed to do?

[BRANDY LPN]

I think that purposely leaving info off application/resume is a violation of the nurse practice act in my state and is subject to disiplinary action so that would only make the situation worse.

most applications ask if they can contact former employers and if no state reason this is what i would do if i was you, then proceed to include really good personal references ie. people you have worked with, pts families that you are close to ect. but make sure to contact these people and ASK them if they would be willing to give you a good reference first to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

[Town & Country]

I have MORE than enough excellent refs from people I have worked with.

I have excellent refs from other RNs, LPNs, and CNAs.

I saw a CNA I worked with in the store yesterday and she came up and hugged me.

I have all that.

But they want refs from former employers, and if you don't play the game and close your eyes to the dangerous under-staffing and put your license on the line........it seems you are up the creek.

Oh I know I'll get a job somewhere; I just wanted to try agency nursing.

[Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN]

Well, Shezam....

I certainly feel for you.

Basically, being a nurse pretty much s*cks.

See my tagline, re: good nurse vs good employee.

You have my empathy and support.

((((((HUGS)))))))))