Black listing

[RN4JUSTICE]

I have a few degrees much to the dismay of some nurses. I am competent in my practice, have never had a clinical complaint filed against me in 27 years of practice working at many hospitals in various roles. I had this delusion that if I went into management I would be able to be an advocate for nurses. Instead I found myself targeted by a bad apple in the department that was clinically fine but major behavior issues . Upper management wanted me to discipline her according to the HR guidelines so I did. Yet she got the union involved and they turned it around on me . I had no administration support. All these events happened in a span of a few months out of a 4-5 year employment where I had a clear record.

If you don't think this can happen to you ---you are wrong. Lots of bullies in the profession.

There are no mysteries in this story. I have a law suit ongoing . Attorneys agree this cases are hard to prove . I managed to get another job locally in a hospital but then 180 turn in attitude towards me after one month of employment. Getting black listed can destroy your career. Trying to get back into regular nursing is tough because all the applications are geared towards your hands on experienced within the last year. It is as if all your experience and education do not count. You cannot even speak to a real person. Everything is automated and no critical thinking is used in selecting applicants. Any thoughts on this

Stories like this are part of why I have no aspirations of a management role... I do my bedside thing, seek to be a good nurse, and try to charm the pants off of everybody I meet. I remain ever mindful that my pod-mates are my future managers...

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Nursing is a small world and with all the social connections, that 6 degrees of separation can narrow quickly. Someone knows someone who knows someone. And yeah, blacklisting can and does happen.

Good luck.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Horrible situation. But it is not limited to nursing. We're no different than other types of work. It just seems to be more intense because our 'normal' scope of work is knee-deep in emotional issues from our patients.. so even the slightest bit more drama from coworkers puts it over the top. In other types of jobs, the drama is co-worker related, and can easily be escaped by scuttling back to your own cubicle or office - LOL.

There really aren't any restrictions about what information can be divulged by a previous employer except for 'confidential' (ex: salary, personal details, etc) information ... you have to sign a 'release of information' for that. As long as the information is true, you have no recourse. If it is false, and has a negative impact upon you, you can sue for defamation (slander=verbal, or libel=written).... but you have the burden of proof and there are huge consequences because it would be to open up your entire life for scrutiny. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't be comfortable starring in my own 'Maury Show'.

I have also been in a situation similar to OP's. Luckily, I had a sufficient number of additional positive references that offset the bad one - but it was a harrowing experience.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Sounds like they may have set the OP up.. Sometimes you have to look outside of your local area to find a job if you have been blacklisted locally. Good luck with the laywer/lawsuit. I know these cases can be tough to fight and win.

[megaly]

If an employer calls me, and my employee hasn't informed me I might be getting a call, I just refer them to HR.

If you know the employee well enough to give them a reference why refer them to HR just because the employee didn't inform you?

[TriciaJ, RN]

The first thing that jumped out at me was all your degrees to the "dismay of other nurses". Not sure what would make them care about all your degrees. As far as your management position, it appears you were set up to be the hatchet man, get rid of their bad apple for them, then take the fall yourself.

One thing I learned about labour relations: if someone has been allowed to be a bad apple for some time, that behaviour becomes the standard. In a union shop, management cannot unilaterally change the prevailing standard. So your goose was cooked as soon as you started taking the bad apple to task. Getting rid of entrenched bad apples is a slow process; best to form a relationship with the union and get their input on proper discipline and termination procedures. Makes it harder for the bad apple to turn it around on you.

This is all for future reference because none of it helps with your current situation. Blacklisting is a dirty business and happens in other professions as well. I hope your lawsuit yields results. Good luck.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

If you know the employee well enough to give them a reference why refer them to HR just because the employee didn't inform you?

I have no idea who is actually on the other end of the line. Could be anyone. Bill collector, stalker, identity thief. Providing a reference/verification is a courtesy, not a legal obligation. If I haven't been informed, how do I know this employee even wants me to talk to them?

A cold call from a potential employer is Not the way your manager should learn that you are thinking of leaving. Workplace etiquette is that if you think someone is going to call your supervisor, you inform the person listed. Otherwise, you go through the HR employment verification line.

[herring_RN, ASN, BSN]

Long ago I was working extra shifts at various hospitals as a registry nurse. One was so very excellent with regard to kindness, cooperation, and management truly communicating with and trusting staff that I wanted to work there per diem.

I told the excellent nurse manager at me current hospital I planned to apply there.

When I was interviewed the nurse manager at the 'new' place told be the unit director (My managers boss) told her on the phone that i had excellent evaluations, but was pro union and had reported the hospital to the state health department in the past.

I was already planning to sue when she asked if it was true. i said, "Yes it is and explained.'

She said, "I want to hire you if you promise to tell me and give us a chance to improve before reporting us."

I told her i would since it was after being ignored that i made the report."

I was hired and enjoyed 4 years working there.

The unit director soon left and we got someone who had actually cared for similar patients. He had done wrong, but I had no damages for a lawsuit.

[chiandre]

The nursing profession always claims to be a caring profession. We claim to be objective and critical thinkers. Nurses love to indulge in non-caring behaviors such as gossiping, bullying, stigmatizing ad blacklisting. We are quick to care for others while we turn our backs on our fellow nurses. It is a shame that experience and education are overlooked; while gossips and fabrications are glorified.

Good luck with your lawsuit.

[dzadzey, MSN, RN]

A nurse who I worked with on our unit for several years accepted a position as clinical nurse manager. I said, " I would congratulate you, but admin will throw you under the bus at the drop of a hat". About six months later, our entire unit management was sacked, including the aforementioned CNM.

Middle management in nursing is like walking on a tightrope over a pool of hungry sharks with someone at both ends working to cut the rope. Do yourselves a huge favor and just don't do it, no matter how sweet the deal.