Am I being blackballed?

[GadgetRN71]

Here's my situation. I gave notice at my job, but left on good terms..gave 3 weeks notice, offered to stay per diem to cover shifts for awhile etc. The reason I left was the dynamic that had sprung up on my shift over the past few months. One of the techs is just a toxic personality to begin with, and then she lost her son last winter in an accident. The supervisor on the shift is a good nurse, but doesn't always act very professionally(ie disappears with his little CS girlfriend for a good 20 minutes each shift) and he refuses to rein this behavior in(they're friends outside of work). Add to this the fact that I got very little support as a new nurse on this shift and I decided that career wise, I had to leave that environment. I am having a hard time finding a new job(in an OR) and I'm concerned that I'm getting blackballed for no good reason. I mean, it's not like I walked off the job with no notice..I think the supervisor was mad because he wanted me to run the schedule when he "needs a day off." As a sometime thing, I didn't mind, but it turned into whole weeks at a time and when I started running the board, I hadn't even been a nurse for a year-there were still circulating things I was trying to fine tune.

Should I answer "no" when they ask if they can contact them as a reference? I know that technically, they're only supposed to ask dates of employment, can you be rehired etc. but I'm worried that they are screwing me over because I had the nerve to leave after a year(as an RN). Should I contact a lawyer? Anyone been through something similar and have any advice? PS- I know I should have lined something up job wise before leaving but the tech's behavior just got unbearable and I started fearing for my license(ie when we needed to do a count, she'd ignore me, I did put my foot down and we finally counted). Months ago, I had filled out a form for a travel agency when it became known to all of us that the hospital is in a bad way financially...I told them that I wasn't ready to travel for at least a year yet and asked them please not to contact my job at this point but they did and asked for a reference. This made the PTB angry(I got questioned pretty intensely as to whether I was planning on leaving) and my boss started making snide comments, would "forget" to get me supper relief etc. So I just had to leave with class before I snapped one day!

[justme1972]

Rule of thumb: It's always easier to find a job when you still have a job than it is when you are not working.

Sends up a red flag...for any job, not just nursing.

[TravORNurse]

Here's my situation. I gave notice at my job, but left on good terms..gave 3 weeks notice, offered to stay per diem to cover shifts for awhile etc. The reason I left was the dynamic that had sprung up on my shift over the past few months. One of the techs is just a toxic personality to begin with, and then she lost her son last winter in an accident. The supervisor on the shift is a good nurse, but doesn't always act very professionally(ie disappears with his little CS girlfriend for a good 20 minutes each shift) and he refuses to rein this behavior in(they're friends outside of work). Add to this the fact that I got very little support as a new nurse on this shift and I decided that career wise, I had to leave that environment. I am having a hard time finding a new job(in an OR) and I'm concerned that I'm getting blackballed for no good reason. I mean, it's not like I walked off the job with no notice..I think the supervisor was mad because he wanted me to run the schedule when he "needs a day off." As a sometime thing, I didn't mind, but it turned into whole weeks at a time and when I started running the board, I hadn't even been a nurse for a year-there were still circulating things I was trying to fine tune.

Should I answer "no" when they ask if they can contact them as a reference? I know that technically, they're only supposed to ask dates of employment, can you be rehired etc. but I'm worried that they are screwing me over because I had the nerve to leave after a year(as an RN). Should I contact a lawyer? Anyone been through something similar and have any advice? PS- I know I should have lined something up job wise before leaving but the tech's behavior just got unbearable and I started fearing for my license(ie when we needed to do a count, she'd ignore me, I did put my foot down and we finally counted). Months ago, I had filled out a form for a travel agency when it became known to all of us that the hospital is in a bad way financially...I told them that I wasn't ready to travel for at least a year yet and asked them please not to contact my job at this point but they did and asked for a reference. This made the PTB angry(I got questioned pretty intensely as to whether I was planning on leaving) and my boss started making snide comments, would "forget" to get me supper relief etc. So I just had to leave with class before I snapped one day!

While you were working with them, did they give you evaluations of your work? Either when you were being precepted or yearly. If they did and it said you were acceptable, and you saved them, you could provide those to prospective employers when interviewing along with any letters of reference you may have. That way if you are being blackballed, the evaluations/letters might help to counter anything bad that might have been said about you. And if nothing bad was said it just makes you look that much better. Is there anyone in that OR that might still provide you with a good letter of reference or be willing to be listed as a personal reference? I keep a file with all of my evaluations and letters of reference in it, just in case I need to use them.

[ewattsjt]

I know that you have found another job but this is more for future reference and those who may be going through the same thing. If you do receive performance evaluations on an annual or biannual basis, save a copy and file it somewhere safe.

I find it interesting on what TravORNurse states. We just went through evaluations and I have filed mine into a working file just for that reason. All one has to do is to read the evaluation and see that anything bad said would be from resent and vengeance. As TravORNurse states, even if you aren’t being blackballed, it only makes you look better.

Also do not be afraid to contact surgeons or anesthesiologists that were your frequent rooms. You would be surprised how many will actually write a letter of reference. Their reference should carry weight.

[SarasotaRN2b]

I had an interview that went very well and then did not get offered the job. The unprofessional supervisor used to work at this hospital so I have a feeling he might have said something. You're right, it is very hard to prove so I am waiting awhile before I pursue legal action.

Unfortunately, having a good interview doesn't mean the job was yours unless they offered it right then and there. There may have been an applicant that was more experienced as an OR nurse and they went that way.

I would also be careful about burning bridges even if you are not happy with your situation.

Just my 2 cents!

Kris

[ewattsjt]

witchy has since been hired into a new job, see new job! by witchyrn. i think her posts on this thread were more of a vent in nature and a consideration of all options available not that she would ever act on them.

[GadgetRN71, ASN, RN]

witchy has since been hired into a new job, see new job! by witchyrn. i think her posts on this thread were more of a vent in nature and a consideration of all options available not that she would ever act on them.

you're right, it was more of a vent..i just don't have the energy at this point to pursue this legally. i also live in a smallish state so i have to always be careful what i say and do and to whom. i decided to let karma take care of the whole thing!