Denied Transfer - Need advice please

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2006

I think they probably were just going with someone who they might know well, that doesn't need orientation, and probably felt an obligation to be loyal to her/him and might have felt their were doing the right thing for that person. This nurse might have been a star employee that they know well. Don't take it personally, or feel you're being persecuted (but you know your politics).

In my place of employment a manager can't hold up a transfer for longer than 30 days if you're an employee without write ups, etc.

I do thinks it's rather unprofessional of them to give you the job and then push you aside like that. They might have told the one on disability "sorry, your job is filled, but there are other positions open up throughout the hospital". But again she may be a star employer worth it to them.

Good luck. I'm sorry this happened to you.

MA Nurse · Jun 12, 2006

I'm a new poster, hello all. :)
At the end of April, I applied for a transfer. I went to the interview, and it went well. There were three spots open, and about 15 people applied. One spot was new, the other spots were open because two RN's were out on disability more than 9 months.
I never heard back, so I figured the spots were filled.
Last Friday, the NM called and said the spot re-opened, someone changed their mind,was I still interested. I said I was. She asked me if I was sure, she was going to put the paper work in, asked me if anything bad was in my file etc. I assured her that I was sure, that my file was fine. She said she would email me the details as I was going on vacation. ok
I checked email all week, no email from her.
I got home Saturday and there was a message from the prior Tuesday, she was sorry, the RN that was on disability suddenly was able to come back to work, very sorry, if something changes, she'll let me know.
I was a bit taken aback and don't know how to handle this. On Friday it was practically a done deal, and on Tuesday morning the RN suddenly was coming back to work? I know after three months they can't hold your job, they held hers for over 9, posted a position, filled it, then it opened and now she is coming back?
I know my NM is probably upset because a few of her nurses applied for this position. The politics at my place is really bad. I wonder if she had anything to do with this.
Something seems fishy to me. Any thoughts?

It sounds very fishy. Your manager sounds like she likes to play favorites...sounds familiar. :uhoh3:

Do you belong to a union? Maybe they could help you file a grievance.

Agent99 · Jun 12, 2006

Thank you Tweety and Kimba:

Tweety: well if she was a star employee the NM should have called her as soon as the position re-opened instead of calling me. That would make more sense to me. Thanks for your input, I'm a bit down about the whole thing though.

Kimba:

I still think something fishy is going on, but I can't put my finger on it. I do belong to a union, but I don't think I have a grievance. The NM chose to accept her former RN back instead of me, what can I do? :)

Jolie, BSN · Jun 12, 2006

I guess you will have your answer when you see whether or not the nurse who had been out on disability actually returns promptly to the job.

It is a huge disappointment to you, and I agree that you should not have been offered the position until the NM was absolutely certain that the experienced nurse would not be able to return. But if indeed, she is ready and able to return to work, it makes sense for the NM to take her. She is already familiar with the unit, will not require orientation, is a "known quantity" in terms of scheduling, how she fits in with her co-workers, etc. I have no doubt that you would make an excellent addition to the unit, but you are an "unknown" to that particular unit and manager, and it would take thousands of dollars to orient you.

If that particular nurse is not back to work in her full capacity within the next 2 weeks, then I would say you probably have a grievance.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2006

Thank you Tweety and Kimba:
Tweety: well if she was a star employee the NM should have called her as soon as the position re-opened instead of calling me. That would make more sense to me. Thanks for your input, I'm a bit down about the whole thing though. :)

I'm sure you're down and I'm very sorry.

Perhaps it was bad timing, perhaps the employee had instructions to call her when she was ready to return to work and happened to call after you got the job. That's a stretch I know.