seems I'm blacklisted ... now what?

[CRNAorBust]

Happy New Year everyone!

I was a new grad in May and got a job to be trained for critical care in the ICU. I started in June and most of our training was sitting in front of a computer program learning systems, and meeting with a nurse educator.(3 months) Then around mid sept we all went to our departments and I was on nights from the beginning but had several preceptors and was not getting how to give and take report that well. Organizational skills were not up to par either. I also made a medication error and so eventually after being on the floor for 2.5 months I was told i could resign or be fired. I said I"d rather be fired since I needed unemployment. I think now that was a bad move.

Now i can't seem to get past any human resource departments. I feel blacklisted at all the hospitals in my area.

So the question now is WHAT should I do next? Should I take that job off the resume? IF so what do i say about the gap?

I"m feeling very stuck.

Any feedback would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

CRNAorBUST

[jodyangel, RN]

No just take off the "fired" bit LOL.

No seriously, don't offer up that you were fired. Just state that you realized the job wasn't a good "fit".

[following_faith]

I thought that employers were only suppose to confirm/deny the dates when someone called on you...I didn't think they were allowed to really discuss anything or make comments...is this different in nursing because of the nature of the job?

Could you take them off your resume and apply to another job and see what happens?

Good luck!

[KatieBell]

Yes, employers cna only report dates, but they can also report one other piece of information. If you are eligible for rehire. Usually if you were fired, you are not eligible for rehire.

I am shocked and amazed that the HR dept at the hosptial did not try to find you a different position within the system.

However, I'd take them off my resume, and say something about taking some time off after school to visit family, travel Europe or whatever. And I'd look carefully at what went wrong, so you don't fall into the same kettle of fish again. Taking them off a resume will only work if you are sure the manager doesn't have close ties with other hospitals. Managers can and will talk privately "off the record" etc.

Alternatively is to say, "It wasn't a good fit". I stayed at my first job for 8 months. It didn't work out. Luckily I was in an area with a few hospital systems and I found a great recruiter who helped me find a good place to be...

[dreamingofbeing]

I left a few jobs off my last resume some because I forgot and some because I didn't work there long enough so I didn't feel like listing them all. The place I'm at now almost didn't hire me because when doing a background check they saw I worked at these places and didn't list them. Luckily my supervisor said she had a good feeling about me and convinced HR to hire me. I don't think leaving them off is a good idea and I agree with the other posters by just stating it wasn't a good fit. Don't give up I'm a true believer that when one door shuts another one opens, sometimes it just takes a while to find it.

[LydiaNN]

I wouldn't lie on your resume. That could lead to nothing but trouble, IMHO.

[mcmannrn]

I am shocked that the HR dept let you leave that way, obviously that facility doesn't think retention and success of new grads is important...too bad for them. The other info is correct that often employeers can only state that you did work there with dates and would you be rehired.

Good Luck in your nursing caree, don't give up either. Next time you interview don't just let them interview you, you need to interview them make sure they are going to meet your needs, ask specific questions about the orientation process. Our preceptors, along with charge nurses & managers meet with new orientees weekly to ensure that the process is going along well.

[allthingsbright]

I'll second the "don't lie" part! I would probably use other wording besides "fired" but own up to it if asked and tell people how you plan to improve on the areas you mentioned that you are lacking in. Also, maybe look into nursing CEU's that focus on teh areas you need improvement on. If you can show imployers you are working on yourself then that will be a very postive step in the right direction.

This is from monster.com:

Taking Care of Weaknesses

on Your Resume

Being Fired and Other Negatives in Your Work History

"There is no reason for a resume to include any details related to why you have left previous jobs -- unless, of course, they were positive. For example, leaving to accept a more responsible job is to your credit. If you have been fired, analyze why. In most cases, it is for reasons that do not have to do with your performance. Most often, people are fired as a result of interpersonal conflicts. These are quite common and do not indicate that you will necessarily have the same problem in a different situation. If your performance was the reason, you may have to explain why that would not be the case in a new job.

The resume itself should present what you did well in previous situations. Leave the discussion of problems for the interview, and take time in advance to practice what you will say if asked. "

Here's another good article on what to do after being fired:

http://interview.monster.com/articles/interview/

[tvccrn, ASN, RN]

However, I'd take them off my resume, and say something about taking some time off after school to visit family, travel Europe or whatever.

I'm not so sure I would do this. In the event that it was found this person actually worked somewhere during this time yet lied about it could look bad. IMO that would undermine any reputation the person had.

[chadash]

I have never been fired, but my approach has evolved to prefacing all job applications with a plea for mercy.

The old adage is honesty is the best policy. I believe in laying my cards on the table.

I really feel for you.

[Mulan]

Most applications ask for the reason for leaving.

Any suggestions as to what to put in that box other than fired?

[LydiaNN]

I'm not so sure I would do this. In the event that it was found this person actually worked somewhere during this time yet lied about it could look bad. IMO that would undermine any reputation the person had.

Not only that, but she would never know when the other shoe might drop. There are lots of ways for a glaring omission on a resume to come to light, and who wants to have that nagging at you all the time?