Talking about a worksite monitor when interviewing

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2016

Me personally, I discuss the contract at the end of the interview. I've had it happen that I get an offer rescinded because I didn't disclose the contract before then. If I get through the interview and i feel like I've read them well enough and i determine that I want the job, I bring up the contract. With my most recent interview, I said "well there is one more thing...." The only thing she asked was what her responsibilities be. I'm at the point where it's only the reports, watching overtime and being there when my manager is there.

You may find that the people that are the healthiest for you to work around, will understand your needs, but I honestly would not wait until after you've accepted the offer to bring it up. It can be heartbreaking if it was a job you really wanted.

Recovering_RN · Oct 7, 2016

I interviewed for a lot of jobs that I didn't get. All of those interviews had me bringing up "one more thing I need to tell you" at the end of what I thought were very successful interviews. The two jobs I DID get were ones where they knew I was in monitoring before I ever went to interview.

One was where another TPAPN nurse referred me, so they knew right away that I was also in TPAPN. I kept that job for 8 months. The next one was a phone call where the hiring manager called me to talk a little and then set up the interview. After talking a few minutes about my nursing background she started to talk about scheduling the in person interview, and I stopped her and said I needed to tell her something. I said I really want this job but I didn't want to waste her time, I didn't think that would be right, so she needed to know up front that I was in TPAPN. I then offered her a little info about it (she knew about the narc restrictions so luckily I was able to say that no longer applied to me since I'd been working over 6 months). I repeated a couple times about how I felt it was important I was up front about this and didn't want to waste her time if this was something she couldn't work with. She replied that she was very impressed that I was so honest about it and she appreciated it. Said she'd have to check with her management and get back with me. Of course I didn't expect to hear from her again but I did! I interviewed and got the job.

I know most people will advise you to wait until the end of the interview, wait until you've got them really wanting to hire you, then tell them. But I did that many times, and it never worked for me. I think that if they aren't going to accommodate the monitoring program, then going through a successful interview first isn't going to change that.

Just my experience.

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Oct 9, 2016

At one time when I was DON in LTC, a very bright new grad LVN was applying, and disclosed, "there is something I need to tell you"..... The response I gave her, surprised her beyond..... I told her I needed her, and I felt she needed to work with us.......she was able to work off her monitoring period... She had no medication, narc restrictions etc....she was the best employee, and continues to be an outstanding nurse, she did not know I had once been in "her shoes"...decades ago......there are managers out there that understand..... I regret my past, however I continue to be an even better nurse for traveling my rocky journey, best wishes.....

OverwhelmednVA · Oct 9, 2016

I usually have said now that I've seen this would be a good fit for me, I want to make sure I'm a good fit for you, I'm in the monitoring program... Ect. Haven't had any bad responses

loswald4 · Nov 3, 2016

Well turns out that for a couple of the interviews I had over the phone went to second interviews and one had a questionnaire that got very detailed with their questions. I was up front and honest. I never heard back from them. Then I went on a interview in person and a second interview by phone and was offered the position. So, I decided to call them back after the background check cleared and tell the manager that interviewed me over the phone. Well, it wasn't long before the HR was calling me to tell me they could not enter into a worksite monitoring agreement at this time. When I asked why? She said we just can not enter into an agreement at this time. And so, I went on another interview and waited until the end of the in person interview to tell them and received a denial letter 2 days later. So, my last interview I did not say anything until after the second panel interview and then waited until I cleared the drug screen and called the manager to meet her in person to tell her my story.. I just said I needed to clarify some details of the job and I could come by after the physical. To my amazement it did not phase her. I brought my agreement with me and she asked if I had taken it HR yet. I said no because it needed to be signed by her. So she signed it and made a copy. Apparently, she took the copy to HR and the next the HR manager called me in to meet with her to explain this to her. So off I went and I provided her with all the information she wanted. She made copies of everything and discussed it with her director and called me the next day to say it was a go. OMG, I was amazed. Oh, I also told my manager when I went to meet with her that I knew another nurse who was in the program with me currently that works in another department, but that I could not reveal her name because of confidentiality, but that I am sure that the manager and HR are familiar with this type of worksite monitor paperwork. All of this was the truth. So, in conclusion I would have to say that it sad but believe it or not this is a sigma. And if my first impression to people is that I have to be monitored it sets up a bad taste from the beginning. I would not have signed or accepted the position without first talking to my boss and I believe she is a true exception to the average reaction. Honesty, is always the best policy. Timing is a different story. I don't want to be judged by the cover before reading the book.