Dear Prudence,
I finished nursing school in May and just passed my boards (yay!). I have been lucky to get an interview at my dream unit at one of the top hospitals in my area. However, three years ago I was trying to become a physician assistant. The programs all required direct patient care before applying, and I got a job as a medical assistant for a clinic. I was let go after six months. I took on way more than I could handle, I was not qualified, and I did not have the proper training. After I was let go, I decided to improve myself by applying to nursing school. My dilemma is that I was just sent a supplemental application to be filled out before my interview. It asks if I was ever discharged or asked to resign from a job. How do I answer this? If asked in the interview, I can explain honestly. But I don’t know if I’m going to hurt my chances by answering “yes” on the form prior to the interview. I really want this job and I know I am much smarter and more capable than I was before.
—Perplexed Aspiring Nurse