unemployed and need help

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Well I'm unemployed again. This is the second job I've had as a registered nurse. Experience: about a year and a half. I quit because I was harassed and my boss did not do anything about it. My boss's boss did not do anything about it either. I felt like I could not trust the people I worked with. The working environment was very toxic for me. I have been unemployed for several months now and I fear the longer I go with out a job the harder it is to find a job. I have had a few interviews, but I always get the same answer, "We hired someone else." I have also gotten the answer, "We don't want you." I have spoken with one nurse recruiter for a hospital outside of my area because I was having trouble filling out a job application online (my computer froze and it shutdown while filling it out). She asked me if I was a new grad and I told her, "no." She then told me that I would need experience in the department I was applying for and that the program to train someone to work in that department was filled already and would have to wait till next year. Seeing that I haven't worked for months I then proceeded to tell her that I would be interested in working in the same type of unit I was previously working. She stated, "Well why did you quit your previous job?" I told her for a better job opportunity. She then stated, "Well why would it be any different here?" At that point I didn't know what to say. I could have told her that their work environment wouldn't be as toxic as where I worked before but didn't say anything. I don't know how to answer the questions, "why did you quit your previous job? Why would working here be any different?" I'm guessing telling them on the phone, on paper, and through a computer screen that I'm "seeking a better job opportunity" is not cutting it. I don't want to say that I was bullied/harassed because they will probably think that I'm a problem. I'm really frustrated because I feel like I'm not even given a chance. I have been with out work for months now and I do not know what to do anymore. I have applied everywhere in my area. Now I'm applying in other areas outside where I live and its not working. I feel like I'm hitting a brick wall. All I want is a stable job. I am trying to stay positive about it all, but I do struggle some days. Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

P.s. I did try to switch units before I quit but was not allowed to.

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Specializes in Allergy and Immunology.

That is really sad that your management was unsupportive and did not do anything to rectify the situation. Have you tried other areas of nursing like a clinic, LTC, TCU, outpatient, home care, or surgery center? Don't just limit yourself to the hospital, at this point I'm guessing you need any job. Keep trying and definitely think outside the hospital, try something else for a while and then try to go back.

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I've applied to all of those areas of nursing except TCU. What is that?

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Specializes in Neurology/Psychiatry/Case Manager.

I can understand how stressful it can be when you are looking for a job and it seems like no one is willing to give you a chance. I do have a couple of questions. Did you quit your first RN job to get the RN job that you left because you felt that you were harrassed? Also, when your manager did not do anything about the situation, did you report it to her manager and or follow the chain of command for reporting such issues?

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No I did not quit my first RN job. I was terminated because they didn't think I could do everything they were asking of me. They wanted me to be charge nurse as well after three months of orientation. The manager for the first job walked me out of the facility and told me that I could not work in a hospital and that I should go work in a nursing home. I remember feeling horrible/ like a failure walking out and wanted her to go away and not walk me out. For my last job I did actually go to my manager's boss. I was written up by my bully and found that my write up for the person harassing me was not turned in to my boss's boss because my boss never turned it in. In fact my boss was the one who suggested to the person that was harassing me to write me up. So when I went to my boss's boss they had the harassers write up and not mine. I did show them my write up but it was as if it was nothing. Prior to all of this I asked to be moved to a different unit and my boss told me no. Who's idea was it originally for me to move to a different unit? My boss. :roflmao:.......Yes, I'm not happy. :sniff:

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Specializes in Neurology/Psychiatry/Case Manager.

Oh I see. Well my dear.....I don't know you or your entire situation....but you might have to reflect on your experiences to see what you could have done differently in both situations. Sometimes when we reflect we realize that we could have done something differently to change the outcome of a situation. For e.g I landed an ER job ( job of my dreams) only to be let go on the 3rd day of orientation because I did not do well on the competency examination. Now....I was ****** because I felt that they should have told me that I would be taking a competency examination so that I could brush up on my information. Once I reflected... I said to myself that I should have known some of the answers on the test knowing that I wanted to work in the ER.....once I was able to accept this I was able to move on....and my takeaway was to review common conditions and medications...that I forgot about b/c I did not have hands on experience. I eventually landed a neuro position...I will re-apply for the ER in the future...this time I will be ready for any competency examination that they have for me.

Be persistent with applying for jobs.

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What can I say in an interview if I'm asked, "why did you quit your job?" Any and all advice to this will be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

What can I say in an interview if I'm asked "why did you quit your job?" Any and all advice to this will be greatly appreciated.[/quote']

How about, "It was a toxic work environment. I did x y and z to try and fix it, but the situation did not improve and I felt it was best for me to leave."

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

"It wasn't a good fit"

If they then ask you what you are looking for in terms of "fit" you spout all those nice idealistic nursey things you felt straight out of school. If they ask for specifics, you speak in generalities. Heck, tell them the location didn't work or the shift didn't work or whatever.

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Just a thought on the question, "why would working here be any different?", would it help to divert your answer into all the great qualities that the hospital you are applying to possesses? Reading up on the awards and recognition that the hospital gives to their employees may be helpful. I guess what I'm trying to say is when they ask about your reasons for leaving the past environment wouldn't it help your cause not to dwell on that part, but what the new hospital has to offer. I agree with the above poster on keeping the specifics very general. I believe that when you get your references checked that it is unlawful for human resources to give out more information more than your wage, your rehire status, and the amount of time you worked in a position. I may be wrong.

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Specializes in public health.

When they ask you why you quit you can say your previous job wasn't a good fit, the team dynamic was not working for you, you can even say you were bullied and harassed and the issue couldn't be resolved. You don't have to tell them exactly what happened. All you need to show them is that you love nursing, you are a good worker and work well with others.

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Any advice on dealing with unemployment? I have periods of time where I'm either sad or mad about the fact that I do not have a job. I find also that after I go on interviews I feel like future employers don't feel like I'm good enough to give me a full time position or even a part time! It always seems like I have to prove to everyone that I'm good enough! It's as if my year and a half is nothing! It's really frustrating! Sorry about the rant, but I really need to vent. When you have been unemployed for as long as I have it wears on you.

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