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Discussion

Difficult Manager making it difficult to change jobs

So after a number of years on my current unit I've decided I need a change for a handful of reasons (ie: false rumours spreading by co-workers, feeling not supported, Low morale, unit clerk hindering nursing staff by not allowing to answer phone calls, speak with physicians directly because she sits at the desk and "knows it all about the patient" (that's anther story) and physicians degrading nursing staff in front of patients with no resolve with management). I've recently had 2 interviews to which they ask to speak to my current manager. Normal circumstances I would have no problem however my current manager has been known to either cancel shifts, reverse vacation decisions and just makes coming to work overall well like a nightmare when my current manager gets notice that a staff member is leaving, and I've watched it happen more times then I care to admit. With these last two interviews it seems to change the tone of the interview when I mention I would prefer my other references be contacted first as they can speak to the nurse I am. Is this an appropriate response or am I overthinking it because I'm over my current unit? Help!!

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    • Featured Replies

    Is there a charge nurse that you can trust that can be in place as a nursing leader to give a reference?

    In my experience, I have used Charge Nurses as supervisors as references so that I can secure an additional position or another position-check the wording; see if "direct supervisor" is listed-that may be a great way to avoid the nurse manager from finding out-until you are ready to give proper notice.

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    • Author

    Thank you. I have listed a charge nurse as one of references and the one manager still requested speaking with my current manager

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    • Expert

    Have you tried offering a copy of your most recent employee evaluation to the interviewer?

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    • Guides

    A lot of employers actually require the two managers to talk with one another about the move before a position can be offered. You may just have to suck up and stick out an unpleasant work environment until you move on. Not ideal, but you may have to muscle through. That or you find a job in an outside healthcare system and change employers entirely.

    I hope it all goes better than anticipated.

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    If the units are in the same hospital, it's often a requirement that the managers confer before a nurse transfers into a different unit.

    If it's a totally different facility, it should be acceptable to say "I prefer not to let my manager know I'm looking to leave until I've accepted a new position. I am happy to offer you a copy of my most recent employee review, as well as the name and contact information for one of my charge nurses, who is happy to talk to you."

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    Myself and a few former coworkers had a problem with a (now former) manager who gave bad references when nurses tried to leave. Unit morale was horrible, and there were other very serious problems going on, and nurses were leaving left and right. The manager tried to make it as difficult as possible when nurses left by taking retaliatory actions such as bad references, changing shifts, angrily confronting people when they submitted their resignations, etc.. The way we figured out how to work around it (once we learned what was happening) was that instead of listing our NM as our supervisor, we listed either one of the charge nurses or the unit manager (the NM's supervisor) as a reference instead. I had the good fortune of putting in my resignation when the NM was on a vacation, and I submitted my resignation to HER supervisor, and listed that person as a reference, not my NM. I got a new job quickly and easily.

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    Have you tried offering a copy of your most recent employee evaluation to the interviewer?
    This is actually a really good idea. Keep it on hand if you can't get around the retaliatory nurse manager for some reason.
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    • Author

    Your situation sounds all too familiar to what in currently dealing with. I really appreciate your advice. Thank you!

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    • Expert
    This is actually a really good idea. Keep it on hand if you can't get around the retaliatory nurse manager for some reason.

    Doesn't this evaluation have the manager's name on it?

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