Seeking a job

[Jdailey]

I am a np student about to graduate. I have been looking for jobs and interviewing. I work for a large healthcare system with many hospitals. I have interviewed for an np job at another hospital within the same healthcare system. I worked for this hospital for almost five years. During that time I received a final warning. I stayed with the hospital for another two years and received good Evaluations. I left to do agency nursing for two years then came back to another hospital within the same system I originally worked for.

I work PRN while in school. I am concerned that I may not be hired in a "leadership" /np position because of this old final warning even though I was able to receive good Evaluations afterwards. Do they even have record of the final warning since I left the company for two years then came back??

If they do have RE or of it, Could this be a valid reason for them to not hire me... Even though it is old??

[Alicia777, MSN, NP]

What was the nature of the final warning? It matters whether it was something like being late a few times for work versus making medication errors..

[Jdailey]

The initial written warning was for being late. However the Escalation to final warning was an ethical violation.... They described me as argumentative with my peers and that patient families perceived me as cold and uncaring...

No issues with patient safety or dishonesty... Just for generally being difficult to work with I guess. Although during the same timeframe I received a service excellence award for my patient care. I was just hoping that because it was so long ago, it would not be a factor any longer, especially since the remainder of my Evaluations have been above average.

[Alicia777, MSN, NP]

That's a tough one but assuming your boss knows you'll soon be seeking a new job, I guess you need to go speak with your manager and point blank ask her if your past write ups will result in a poor reference. Be sure to mention all of the progress you've made since..

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

That would be 100% based on the chain and their own hr policies. If you applied, then I guess you would find out one way or the other.

[TammyG]

I don't think it is the "final warning" per se that might be problematic but the general sequence of reviews noting you were difficult to work with. Employers all have different policies about seeking references and giving them. Many hospitals now only give dates of employment and job title because they are so fearful of law suits. It sounds like you have had several other employers as an RN and you may not even need to give this employer as a reference.

[2015]

I could be wrong but I was told anything that is 6months old falls off your record. It may still be in your file, but it cannot be used against you. Go ahead and interview for the job and show them how much you have grown professionally. Get written references that focus on the areas you were lacking before. In your cover letter say how you always arrive at work 15minutes early or on time and the ways you are caring and compassionate. Let your references allude to that. Good luck

[Philly RN 12]

Since you already work for the system, why don't you contact the hiring manager? Before transferring within a system I have always contacted the hiring manager either via email or picked up a shift on his/her floor. This was much more effective than just applying for a job. Once you introduce yourself the manager can make his/her own determination of your character.