blackballed

Nurses Relations

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I cannot prove it, but I know for a fact I've been blackballed by my own bosses at my job. Not only that, I believe they've blackballed me within the entire organization I work for. What are my options? I would to hate to leave the system permanently, but I believe my hands are tied for the moment. Do I have anything I can do legally, etc. hostile work environment?!? I've had interview for the other jobs I've applied to, but any job I've applied for in my current system, I get an IMMEDIATE 'thanks for playing' email. Please help. New grad who has done nothing wrong and doesn't deserve this. Must've hurt someone's feelings inadvertently....

Specializes in Trauma, Orthopedics.

More details? What actually happened?

Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, PCU.

Politics is a game we all have to play, and specks of ******** here and there are the pieces. Make amends with management as best you can to advance your current situation and add as much experience to your resume as possible, all-the-while continuing to apply to other jobs on your free time. Once you have one lined up, quit and go to your new job.

All that said I must warn you: while I don't personally know your situation, there is a pretty good chance that you're experiencing the new grad phenomenon. Part of that is feeling like everyone dislikes you, that colleagues have an implicit goal to sabotage you, there's no way out, et cetera. Suppose your suspicions are just paranoia... don't go burning bridges with legitimate employers.

And as for applying to positions within the same organization. Of course you're not going to get them. The second you apply to them, the very same human resources department that hired you to your current area is notified. They probably communicated to your manager who then communicated to the new manager. I imagine the dialogue went something like: "we just hired this person and would like to have them in our employ still, as the position needs to be filled for our unit to function. please explore other candidates."

thanks for the reply TU RN. I highly doubt it's the new grad phenomenon. I've been at my current job for 2.5 years, however, not as a RN. I attempted to lateral transfer to another hospital, same type unit, but as a new RN grad. I've been told by other hospitals that I've interviewed with that I have 'quite the impressive resume', at least for a new grad I guess. This organization has lied to me, I've been mistreated by HR. At this point, I am nothing more than a name on a schedule. Where I work, unless you have that RED RN BADGE, you're scum. I will answer the above poster's question just after I type this. Thanks again for the advice.

I attempted to lateral transfer to another hospital (same organization), and the same type unit. I interviewed, it went well. I believed it to be a 'going thru the motions' type interview. I FULLY believed I'd have a job awaiting me after vacation. I got a call while on vacation from HR asking if they could contact my current boss. I said of course. From that point on I NEVER heard ONE thing back from anyone. Not HR, not the person who interviewed me. Nadda, nothing, crickets..... Even after phone messages left and emails sent, NONE were replied to. I want someone held accountable but I badly want a job in this healthcare system. I'm on eggshells is an understatement. Thanks again for your wisdom.. :)

If you sense that you are on the outs with your organization, you may be correct or you may be reading something into benign neglect that is not there. You will have to play this out as you see it. Remember that you have to maintain your livelihood. If you go around starting to make it known that you are not a happy camper, then they WILL have reason to look unfavorably upon you. As stated before, it is in your best interests to play the game as best you can until you can get to where you want to be. If that turns out to be a job somewhere else, then so be it.

This happens quite a great deal, and here is a take on perhaps why. You have been employed for 2.5 years by them. You have come up a step or 2 in your pay.

You ask around, and find out about positons, new grad positions--lots to be had within the system you currently work for. Managment will even throw you a bone or 2 and allude to the fact that you MAY be able to have a position when you pass the NCLEX. IF one HAPPENS to be available. So you work harder than ever, give your all and then some, go above and beyond to make a good impression because after all, it will benefit you when they are so excited as to what you bring to the table already.

Then comes the realization that because you have worked in another capacity for them, they may have to start your pay at a bit higher than another nurse who is a new grad that is not currently employed by them that they can start at less money. They may decide that unless you have a BSN, MSN or some certifications, they don't want you. BECAUSE- There's another unemployed nurse who has these things, and they can get that nurse for the lowest possible starting wage that they can say with a straight face. And there's more than one nurse that is at the point in their career where any money is better than no money. Then they have gotten over 2 years of really exceptional work from you--that reflects well on them.

Then comes the realization that they will not "under-employ" an RN, therefore, you need to find work elsewhere.

This is only a thought process, and may in fact be somewhat your reality. Start getting those resumes out. Do not limit yourself to your own organization, they are not the only game in town. Get as many reference letters as you can from other nurses with whom you have worked with. That speaks to your working character. Ask HR for copies of your performance evaluations. If you have had to take any certifications for your current job, have copies of those as well. Present yourself as a package--

Best of luck in your endevours!

Still further, and depending on what your current occupation with them now is, they would prefer someone who comes in with no preconceived notions--fresh and mold-able.

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

I'm not totally clear on your situation. Are you an RN? Are you working for this network as an RN or something else? Has there been one job application or has this happened multiple times?

I am currently an ED tech that passed nclex 2 months ago. So I'm already 'trained' in the ED atmosphere. Now I've advanced to RN. You would think I'd be an internal hire as a new grad. One BIG part of forgotten to tell you all is that I have a perfectly clean file. No write-ups, no call offs, no tardies, no pt complaints. Nothing!

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Again, was this ONE job application, or has this happened several times? I think that if it was just one application, it's a bit of a reach to assume you've been blackballed. If it's happened repeatedly, well...

I've interviewed for ONE job in the system, the job I thought I was getting. I've applied and interviewed at 2 other ERs in neighboring cities to no avail. I've recently applied to 3 PT ER spots athe biggest hospital in my system and was immediately rejected. I don't know what to do. I'm so upset and stressed, it's taking a toll on me and my family.

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Honestly, this sounds just like the plight of 70% of new grads right now. I'm sorry you're having a hard time. But I don't think what you are experiencing is being blackballed. It's being a new grad in a sea of thousands of other new grads.

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