URGENT, All DFW area Healthcare workers

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jan 14, 2003

My only suggestion would be to contact a labor attorney to see if you have a case. Aren't these private facilities? All were not in DFW according to the list. What reason was given for your not being hired?

mattsmom81 · Jan 14, 2003

Stinky I have PM'd you. I agree it is a problem here in this area and have posted about it before. I guess if one hasn't had this happen to themor a friend they tend to be nonbelievers.

Employers are using some very nasty blackballing techniques here, and are sharing info they should not be sharing by law.

But they have found a loophole and are in cahoots with Group One as a buffer organization protected by 'consumer credit' law.

Nobody has a problem with felony convictions, etc.being communicated... but employers are sharing subjective 'opinions' of bytchy managers, info about sick days, medical diagnoses, disabilities, and workers comp claim info and other personal matters. They only want to hire the 'perfect nurse' here, so I guess 'perfect' nurses need not worry. I have heard enough whispers in my managers' offices to know this is truly going on here and problematic. Many good nurses are effectively blackballed here. Believe it.

I think in our hearts most nurses have suspected this goes on...which is why we fail to come together and are reluctant to speak out. That old 'bad attitude' will getcha here in DFW.

and probably other places if we look close enough.

HATE this nonunion environment. I wanta go back to a union state...waaaaah!

Stargazer · Jan 14, 2003

With all due respect, Stinky, I doubt any of us here are mindreaders, and the information you allude to is either not readily findable in a cursory examination of the site, or is not accessible at all, and is known to you only because of your personal experiences. Much of the info I would consider relevant to the point you're trying to make is not included until your fourth post on this thread. Quotes or links to specific pages to which you are referring might've made it easier for us to understand what you were getting at.

StinkyMcStinker · Jan 16, 2003

Thank you for comfirming what I was trying to describe. Im truly sorry that you have had a similar experience, what you descibed is almost identical to my situation, as well as several of my friends, Group One being the common denominator. I was surprised at the initial responses to this thread. I never expected my "F.Y.I. Alert" to be misinterpreted so badly. I thought the site I referenced was fairly self explainatory, providing one could recognize what they were looking at. I was raised in Texas since 6 months of age, but I am in agreement with you regarding the "backwards" state of workers rights here compared with most of the rest of the country. So true you are with your statement of most being non-believers until it happens to them. I'm beginning to think most RN's would rather put their heads in the sand and ignore this problem.

MAXtheWonderDog · Jun 27, 2004

here's a link, www.dfwhc.org , go to the human resources section, find GROUP ONE, read the fine print about the information they compile and trade.

mattsmom81 · Jun 28, 2004

Thank you for comfirming what I was trying to describe. Im truly sorry that you have had a similar experience, what you descibed is almost identical to my situation, as well as several of my friends, Group One being the common denominator. I was surprised at the initial responses to this thread. I never expected my "F.Y.I. Alert" to be misinterpreted so badly. I thought the site I referenced was fairly self explainatory, providing one could recognize what they were looking at. I was raised in Texas since 6 months of age, but I am in agreement with you regarding the "backwards" state of workers rights here compared with most of the rest of the country. So true you are with your statement of most being non-believers until it happens to them. I'm beginning to think most RN's would rather put their heads in the sand and ignore this problem.

The dysfunction in our profession speaks loud and clear on this issue doesn't it?. Most nurses will simply be very pleased they have avoided anything negative in their Group One. They have likely achieved this by NEVER speaking out, NEVER disagreeing with their manager or facility...ie are puppets of administration, which of course is what administrators desire of their nurses in too many facilities today....people who go along to get along in all cases.

But...be assertive and a patient advocate, refuse to accept an unfair disciplinary action on your record or dare to file a grievance regarding hostile work environment, or buck a doctor, and the dirt collection can start. Talk union and they work twice as fast.Sadly our working conditions leave many opportunities for vindictive managers to begin the dirt collection process. This has happened to me and to coworkers of mine here. Hard to prove direct cause and effect though, hard to directly link to the damage caused because of the type setup they have and the protection a third party organization provides.

All I can say is those who believe Group One is only used to find criminals and liars are being quite naive, IMO. I don't know what the answer is, I only know it is just another slap in the face to good nurses whose only crime may be trying to practice what their Nurse Practice Act preaches and are punished for their assertiveness.

RN34TX · Jun 29, 2004

The dysfunction in our profession speaks loud and clear on this issue doesn't it?. Most nurses will simply be very pleased they have avoided anything negative in their Group One. They have likely achieved this by NEVER speaking out, NEVER disagreeing with their manager or facility...ie are puppets of administration, which of course is what administrators desire of their nurses in too many facilities today....people who go along to get along in all cases.
So true.
I'm very pleased to say that I now work for a hospital that does not participate in Group One, however, I no longer live in Dallas either.
I myself never suffered the ill effects of Group One, I had a pretty great reputation with my managers at that infamous LTAC that start's with a "K" that you and I loved so much!!
But I quit that job for the sole reason that I was afraid that I would be next because I saw so many nurses get "Group One'd" and/or reported to the board. I was very outspoken when it came to out of control family members screaming and threatening at the nurses station and the administration at that place never thinks that the family gets out of line and expect you to take their abuse.
I made some great friends there that I still have contact with but all of us left either voluntarily or "Group One" style and I would never work there or any other type of LTAC again because that place got so scary at times.
Like I stated in another post, if someone in DFW hospitals tells you that you will never work in this town again.....they mean it!!

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Jun 30, 2004

How do you know if there is a poor report on Group One? Personally I'm another nurse that has escaped any negative problems with Group One. Or at least I guess I have since I've never had a problem.

But I have friends who have had trouble getting interviews or hired on. Never told anything, just phone calls aren't returned, can't get a 2nd interview after the managers acted extremely enthusiastic about them at the 1st interview. So is there any way for US to access our Group One report, like you can look at your own credit report?

Nurse GOODNIGHT · Jun 30, 2004

Wow. Good info. This is really scary stuff since I tend to be very outspoken. Had no idea. Maybe need to consider another profession other than nursing now. Sigh. After reading much over time on ALLNURSES I am not as enthusiastic about nursing as I was to start with. I am very compassionate and patient centered and I can see the future riddled with problems as I want to be in TX. Thanks for the info all nurses.

MAXtheWonderDog · Jun 30, 2004

How do you know if there is a poor report on Group One? Personally I'm another nurse that has escaped any negative problems with Group One. Or at least I guess I have since I've never had a problem.
But I have friends who have had trouble getting interviews or hired on. Never told anything, just phone calls aren't returned, can't get a 2nd interview after the managers acted extremely enthusiastic about them at the 1st interview. So is there any way for US to access our Group One report, like you can look at your own credit report?

Yes there is a way to get a copy, due to the fact that they are "posing" as a credit agency, they are under the regulations of the "Fair Credit Reporting Act" and have to send you 1 FREE copy of anything they have on you when you send a written request to them. Try these sites, www.gp1.com , www.dfwhc.org , www.dfwhhrc.org .

mattsmom81 · Jun 30, 2004

Wish there was a solid way to prove what is going on, but the people involved are in cahoots and tightlipped ...the only reason I even found out what was on mine was a kind HR person shared it with me once...then I could add a rebuttal. Cost me 20 bucks for my 'official' copy...couldn't get anyone to admit they weren't calling me because of my report (then you can get a free copy or at least thats how it used to be)

One of our poster's here has a saying" Being a good nurse is often in direct opposition to being a good employee' and this is so very true. We walk a very fine line and this has been my greatest frustration in my 27 yrs as a nurse (22 in Texas)

sfreebird · Nov 3, 2006

Group One is very real. I, also, am an assertive nurse and a patient advocate. I was trained in a large teaching hospital and then made a move to a much smaller community hospital which was very close to home. I was naive and thought that the proactive, assertive patient advocate that I was and that my RN licence wants me to be, would be valued and appreciated in this small hospital. I ruffled quiet a few feathers, apparently, but did okay until my manager retired and a peer of mine was elevated to her position.

This peer, who had never worked any other place her entire 17 yr. nursing career, was threatened by my knowledge and assertiveness. I had just about 1 month of peace, but when I was placed on the Clinical Practice committe in the unit and began offering areas of improvement which could be worked on, I became the target of this new manager.

Labeled as a "trouble maker", I was accused of all sorts of infractions. Nothing could be proven, however. They scrutenized my charting, my care, everything. Finally, they made something up about me and placed me on a one month leave with pay to "investigate".

Still being naive about the power that Group One members yeild, I fought back. Knowing that I had not done anything wrong, I believed that I would be vendicated in the end. I presented my case to the Director of Patient Care, a fellow RN, who had experience in large hospitals as well. I thought for sure he would see the insanity of the claims about me. This and the fact that I had glowing reports and statements in my file from family members of patients and other peers at the facility, I thought I would be okay.

Much to my surprize, I was discharged with a statement that they could no longer use me at this facility. I did not have trouble getting another job at that time, but now it is two years later, and I am ready to change employers again.

Here it comes...I get great first interviews, then no call back or some vague statement that they decided not to use me. This from several hospital groups.

Just got my Group One report sent to me... the previous hospital that I worked for has me listed as Discharged for inappropriate behavior-patient care related!!! An out and out lie, and one which I am starting to fight right now.

My first step is to write Group One and tell them under no circumstances are they to release my Consumer Report to anyone without my express consent.

Second, I am writing them and disputing the accuracy of the report.

Anyone out there who can help me, has been through this or is going through this type of thing currently, I would appreciate hearing from you. A little moral support please!