u/earwighoney

I'm currently in the process of applying for new grad RN jobs. I just never know how to answer this question on job applications; especially for giant, national healthcare systems.

For context, I have been fired from three jobs:

• The first was a unit secretary job that I had for 4 years. I was fired back in 2019 for attendance issues. I should have communicated my needs to my supervisors, as I was very deep into a depressive episode. I can't leave this job off applications. It's like the only thing that makes me look competitive.
• One was in 2021, I had worked there for a month and I did not get along with the head veterinarian at a cat hospital.
• The most recent termination was from a monitor tech job in 2022. I was let go for too many call-ins during my probationary period. It was my fault, I overloaded myself with school and a long commute.

I have since had exemplary attendance at my all my jobs since then and in my nursing program. I get along with all my classmates, faculty members, coworkers and supervisors. I have matured a lot in the last few years.

If I select "yes": they may instantly filter me out -- permanently, assuming that the answers to these job applications for these giant health systems stays across multiple positions in multiple hospitals. Because of that, if I initially select "yes" and I never get any calls/bites/interview offers, then decide to start saying "no" on applications for the same health system, would that not flag me?

If I select "no": they may call past employers who may tell them I'm not eligible for rehire. Plus it's dishonest, and that is extra bad in nursing.

I want to be honest, and I wouldn't mind sharing the reasons for termination with my potential employer. I accept responsibility for my terminations, and I am a different person now. But I don't want to ruin my chances of getting hired.

What should I put? "Yes" or "no"?

I'm in my last semester of my program. I'd love to work in the ICU or ED, but more than anything I want to work on a unit that is supportive to its new grads and values teamwork.

• Does anyone have any suggestions on how to gauge a hospital or unit's culture before even applying?
• How about in an interview; what questions would you ask?
• Does anyone know of any hospitals that are known to have a supportive culture (I'm open to relocating).

My questions are:

• How have you been searching for new-grad jobs if you are casting such a wide net?
• Is there a website or blog or something that lists all of the new-grad residencies?
• Does anyone know of any new-grad-friendly hospitals that aren't super competitive it Washington, Oregon, Northern California, or blue-voting, northern East Coast states?

If you'd like more context:

I am in SoCal graduating with an ADN in December. I know how tough this market is, so I am looking to cast a very wide net across the US. Location is not super important to me, but I do have a few caveats. I don't really want to work in a giant city or huge hospital, and I want to live in a blue state while I have a functioning reproductive system. Ideally, I would move back to Northern California, north of Santa Rosa - anywhere from the coast to the Nevada border. I'm also interested in anywhere in Oregon or Washington (though I know they're getting impacted too), or states along the north part of the east coast (MA, VT, NY, NH, ME, PA, etc.).

I don't have stellar qualifications relative to the difficulty of CA's job market. I have 4 years of unit secretary experience in an ER, spent 6 months as a tech in that ER, plus about a year of experience as a Monitor Tech between two other hospitals. However, my last healthcare job was over 5 years ago. I've been working as a night auditor at a hotel for the last 4 years. I volunteer a lot with our student nurse club and I'm the secretary. I am also starting up a mentorship program this last semester. I am working on my BSN concurrently. I have a 3.8 GPA. I think I could probably get 5 or more solid letters of recommendation from various faculty members and my hotel manager. I plan on just paying for ACLS and PALS myself this summer too.

I started a spreadsheet for different hospitals that appear to have new-grad friendly positions or residencies, that also seem like nice places to live. I have 5 entries...

I feel like the most patriotic thing I can do tomorrow is to protest our authoritarian regime. Does anyone know of any protests organized for the 4th of July in the area?

Hi friends,

I will be entering my last semester in September and now that school is out for the summer I have resumed stressing out about finding a decent job in a nice place. I know many new grad programs want these. What sort of things did they say? Were they generic? A form? Did you write them yourself? How many did you get? From whom? What state were you in - is it a rural area, or metro? Do you think the letters helped you? Thank you!

Hi friends,

I will be entering my last semester in September and now that school is out for the summer I have resumed stressing out about finding a decent job in a nice place. I know many new grad programs want these. I was wondering what you did for letters of recommendation? Did you need them for your applications? What sort of things did they say? Were they generic? A form? Did you write them yourself? How many did you get? From whom? What state were you in - is it a rural area, or metro? Thank you!