I lost two jobs attributable to problems with counting medications. How should I discuss this issue with potential employers?

Question:

Dear Donna,

In May, I used to be laid off from a job I had held for 10 years. I worked the 11-7 shift and the nurse who got here to select me up was suspected of stealing drugs. He took the cards containing the pills and their corresponding sign-in sheets, so the ability implemented a policy requiring us to count the cards and record the outcomes on a form.

When I counted from 3 to 11 with the nurse, there have been 12 cards. When I counted 7 to three with the nurse suspected of stealing, there have been 12 cards? or so I assumed.

Later that day, management told me two cards were missing. After I left, they checked the cart and located a discrepancy. I believe that between the time the count was made and the time management checked the cart, the nurse working 7 a.m. to three p.m. could have stolen the cards. I’ve been suspended. I used to be then suspended at the tip of the month for failing to report the discrepancy to my supervisor. I didn’t report the discrepancy since it wasn’t there once I left.

I might never steal drugs or cover for anyone who did. In the ten years I worked there, I received good performance reviews yearly, and through my stay I only received two or three positive reviews. My attendance was impeccable and my patients and colleagues liked me.

I used to be released on weak evidence. Even the examiner on the Unemployment Appeals Court found that there was, in truth, no basis for my dismissal. I exploit the assistance of a lawyer specializing in labor law. I even have never been contacted by the Drug Enforcement Administration or my state’s board of nursing. In fact, after explaining the situation, I received a license from one other country.

In July, I used to be employed at one other facility. When they questioned me, I spoke truthfully concerning the previous incident. After three months on the job, my drug counter dropped. I readily admit I used to be flawed and may have been more diligent when counting. I used to be told to resign because if I were fired, my employer would must inform the health department of the situation.

Now I see that I’m searching for one other job. In light of what happened, should I mention the second job on my CV and job application or should I omit it? I’m afraid if I mention this, I’ll never get one other nursing job. If I’m asked to clarify the employment gap since May, can I say that I even have personal and family responsibilities and volunteer work? by the way in which, all the pieces is true. My father went to a nursing home and I handle all his affairs. I’m moving too and just began volunteering at a free clinic.

Diana

Dear Donna replies:

Dear Diana,

It’s difficult to advise you on this matter without knowing all the main points. While false accusations are sometimes made and mistakes occur, for this to occur twice is either incredibly bad luck or something else. I’m not suggesting you distract yourself with drugs, but it’s possible you’ll need coaching out of your peers on the way to ensure that this never happens again. You must learn to guard yourself and take appropriate steps against further serious accusations and/or mistakes, whether or not they are attributable to carelessness, forgetfulness, stress, an excessive amount of in your mind, or anything.

Failure to incorporate this latest job in your CV, if discovered later, might be perceived as an try and hide something. Some states have laws requiring reporting of all employment of nurses in patient care settings, particularly because some nurses either cause harm to patients, stop taking their medications, or work while disabled and jump from facility to facility. I’m not saying that is the case for you, but I’m saying that hiding your most up-to-date job could seriously harm you if it’s discovered or in the event you fail to comply with state laws in doing so. A CV is, after all, not the identical as a job application, but omitting it might be perceived as an try and hide something.

When it involves legal advice, I would favor that you simply work with a nursing lawyer because on this case, employment law overlaps with nursing practice. Assuming this shouldn’t be the case, ask your attorney to seek out out what reporting laws apply in your state regarding your responsibility as an RN to report all employment to future employers.

It’s good that you simply volunteer within the medical community. I also recommend attending meetings of your state chapter of the American Nurses Association (www.ana.org) or other nursing association. You can participate as a guest in the event you will not be a member. Networking is an awesome method to create a mutual support system, not sleep to this point with knowledge and data, and find and get a job? especially when you’ve got challenges to beat.

Working with a nursing profession coach might also be an option? someone who can train you on the way to take care of the situation, in addition to the way to avoid further mishaps in practice. Since you might be prone to be stressed by work experiences and private challenges, it could be advisable to hunt skilled support from a coach or counselor. Get the assistance you should keep going.

You will need to determine whether to reveal your most up-to-date employment. Whether you do that or not, tell future employers/network contacts that you’ve got had family problems that you’ve got resolved, that you’ve got taken steps to avoid future mishaps, that you’ve got learned from and learned out of your mistakes, and that you simply are determined to proceed his life profession.

All the very best,
Donna