Favoritism in Nursing?

[xenabsnrn]

I started my first nursing job a year ago as a part-time nurse at a hospital. I was told that as soon as an opening came open I would be getting it. I lacked experience so I knew that if I did not get a full-time position it would be due to lack of experience. There have been at least 3 openings, and I have been denied all of them to new grads like myself. All of whom have less experience. I am upset.

The first time I was denied I was told that I would not be getting the full time job due to the fact that "Everyone else likes the other nurse better." As I sat in my nurse manager's office I could not believe what I was hearing. I had more experience, always get stuck carrying heavier loads, getting called in to help this specific nurse get caught up with patient care and here I was getting told I was not getting the position to this person. The next time I got denied to a nurse who never completes her tasks but that everyone loves. This nurse is very good about talking about their personal life and issues. Of course this nurse mentioned she had also was making big expenses (unnecessary) and would like to have the extra income, to be financially ok? So of course the full-time position was given to them.

Every now and then I get a negative vibe from my co-workers, iv'e even overheard them talking negativly about me. I don't understand what is happening. I have always been a people person; help others when they need help, offer to help other nurses, make sure that my patients receive adequate care, and stay extra if needed to help the oncoming nurses from getting behind. I am a young nurse and am not sure if I'm being stomped on because every new nurse that applies has a family to take care of or financial issues to take care of. I'm starting to think there is favoritism in this facility. Recently they hired another new nurse, and offered her the position ( that was never posted online or made public) because this nurse has family that works at the facility and has worked here before ....

Is this Ok? Can someone please help me! Am I exaggerating or is there something wrong with me??

[DutchRN09]

I once worked somewhere PRN, and the manager always said when an opening comes up (FT) you'll get it. Guess what, an opening came, I applied and did not get it...

I moved on. The message was loud and clear, and I had been very flexible PRN. But you have teach people how to treat you, and since I felt misled, I left.

[WineCountryRN]

So far great advice from the other posters. Sometimes there are reasons beyond your control that you will not be advanced to the position you want b/c it is about timing and often, not what your know, who you know. Does your employer have affirmative action in place and have to hire demographical? You knows but who cares b/c you really need to find the right spot for you. It is hard to not take it personally...yes, most nurses want to please and care for others and when they can not it is personally very frustrating for them.‎"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Gosh, here are some helpful words (I hope)

Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." - Steve Jobs

So maybe there is something else for you out there or maybe you will have to ride it out. I have been told that once that my manager didn't like competition and she micromanaged me and threw me under the bus more than once. Yes, you young go-getters can seem threatening even through you don't mean to be. All I am saying is that there are many reasons why you are getting over looked so just look elsewhere. In the mean time, take whatever experience you can (performance improvement projects, join a committee, take all the free classes the institution has to offer). Best of luck to you.

[MsBlissful]

MOVE ON. Nurse managers have liked me and disliked me too. Favortism rules. Asking for more meetings, clarification..

Its all just going to do a whole lot of nothing. that is UNLESS you are in a fair size hospital with a HR department.

I

I think its time you speak to them.. and look for another job.

[Good Morning, Gil]

Welcome to the corporate world. Favoritism is everywhere. Unfortunately, sometimes the ones that work hard and do well never advance. It's not right, but it's the way it is. However, that is not to say that you can't pursue your dreams, etc. It is just harder for someone who doesn't know someone than it is for people that have connections. I have never had connections either, and there are many people like you and me that do just fine anyway. Personally, I like earning what I get, more satisfying that way, although I guess I really wouldn't mind having connections lol. Anyway...the point is...it sounds like you are working in a toxic environment. Sounds like you are a nice and helpful nurse. Next time you hear them talking about you, ask them if they have a problem with the care you are giving. Just say something like...if there is something that I am not fulfilling for this pt, I would like to know; I want to be a good nurse. That will shut them up.

Once you put in your time there (try to stick it out a year), put in for an internal transfer for another floor or look elsewhere. (that is, if you want to lol). Good luck to you....this is just a bump in the road. Just focus on all you're learning right now, and don't take what the others say personally. They'd rather gossip than take good care of their patients, pathetic.

[caliotter3]

After you have taken a good, hard look at the situation with an unbiased view, decide if you need to change, do not need to change, but to endure, or make plans to start a job search in the not so distant future. You may be able to stick it out because you need the job, but on the other hand, you may be able to find a much better situation for yourself if you start looking soon. At any rate, maintain a high level of professionalism because it may occur to TPTB that they need to find a reason to get rid of you when they can no longer justify why they are showing preferential treatment to everyone else over you. Try to look at things from the standpoint of needing to do what is best for you. Good luck.

[Poi Dog]

Who you kiss up to is what matters.

I am sorry that you were treated that way. Life just isn't fair sometimes