I was bullied out of my job

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

She made up stories about me and accused me of being unsafe. My manager believed these stories, wrote me up, and put a performance plan in place, even though I told her that I could prove with documentation that the accusations were not true. I went to the Director of Nursing and asked her to look into the situation, but she never did, and instead sided with the manager. I ended up quitting the job at the last minute because I was terrified of being fired.

I managed to secure another job, and eventually worked my way into the Cardiac ICU. I have been a nurse for 6 years, with 4 of them in the ICU. I have never had one complaint about safety or my nursing practice since. I have received excellent reviews, am a charge nurse, and was elected as the Coordinating Council representative for my unit.

Unfortunately I am also burned out and am seeking a change of pace. My job options would be significantly increased if I could work for my first employer again, however I sent in a resume and they have told me that I am not eligible for rehire. Is there any way to dispute this matter, and clear my name-- even after all this time?

Dear Bullied,

There are always two sides to a situation, and I'm going to base my answer on the assumption that what you say is accurate- that you had no legitimate performance concerns. Your work history for the past six years speaks to that assumption, although something triggered the nurse manager's friend, who started all this.

What you don't offer is an explanation for the unprovoked attack on you by the nurse manager's friend. Did you inadvertently offend her/him? Do you think she/he felt

threatened in some way by you?

You received a write-up for unfounded accusations and then appealed to the DON, who sided with the manager. Lesson: it rarely works out well to go above your manager's head, especially when you are new.

It sounds like this nurse wanted to affect your future employment- and she/he did. Bad behavior, but enough about her/him. Let's talk about you.

Unfortunately, you do not have recourse (legal or otherwise), for reversing an ineligible for rehire status. It's entirely up to the facility, (in this case, the inexperienced, new manager) as to when they can stamp ineligible for rehire” on an employee's termination papers.

You can always write a letter of explanation, and request that it be placed in your file, which may or may not help-but can't hurt.

The other thing you can do is try to get back in through personal referral. Do you have contacts within the facility? If this manager is as bad as you say, after 6 years, she has burned some bridges and showed her true colors, assuming she even kept her job. Contact your contacts, and ask for referrals.

Hopefully there has been a changing of the guards” in your favor. If not, trust that other opportunities will present themselves for you and your great skill sets.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

nurse-beth-purple-logo.jpg

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Specializes in Orthopedics, Med-Surg.

Something else that may help is if you've got any letters from former patients or even better, physicians you've worked with, thanking you for your efforts above and beyond the call of duty. If it's from physicians they know, so much the better.

Write HR a nice letter, include copies of whatever you can that shows you're worth hiring, and cross your fingers. If they still won't hire you, why would you want to work for a bunch of jerks like them? They're holding a grudge against you for their own malfeasance?

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"You can always write a letter of explanation, and request that it be placed in your file, which may or may not help-but can't hurt." I like this idea.

Why didn't you prove your self sooner? Why fight after the fact?

You could have transferred to another unit. Also learn to move on.

Consider finding employment with a comparable facility, maybe the next

town or state over. Good luck. Life goes on.

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Also learn how to WORK management to your benefit. There are MANY management styles & personalities.

Some don't like being challenged & may not have good management skills.

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I guess I'm different but I don't go where I'm not wanted. I have to much pride for that. I would had never given them the satisfaction of knowing I had tried coming back.

If you're burned out and want better opportunities i would have moved to a different larger city.

That chapter in your life should have been closed, there was a reason why you didn't last there and simply look at it like it wasn't meant to be and look you didn't need them. You're a charge nurse and have done well. Don't ever look back at where you had left. I personally wouldn't want to work at a place that's obviously unfair to people and play favorites.

I wouldn't even waste more time with them. I say move on before you get more disappointed. Good luck to you but you don't need them.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I don't know that I'd want to go back to a company that treated me so poorly, as you say they did. No way would I beg to come back!!

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Question, I keep getting notifications in my email regarding this specific post but it's talking about work from home good paying jobs. i come here and find nothing. I'm just wondering if those were spam post that are being deleted or why am I seeing this?

enclosed are examples of what I see in my emails

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Hi mountainview210, there's an update on a topic you are following...

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I was bullied out of my job (first 150 characters)

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

We have had a rash of spam posts and yes, you are correct, staff has deleted them. Thanks.

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Hanks traumaRUs

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Specializes in Psych, case-management, geriatrics, peds.

Nurse Beth,

Sounds like it might be wise for you to read more research on bullying, psychological violence, etc., because your answer clearly shows your lack of knowledge on this topic. Read Gary Namie's work at: workplacebullying.org

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.
Nurse Beth,

Sounds like it might be wise for you to read more research on bullying, psychological violence, etc., because your answer clearly shows your lack of knowledge on this topic. Read Gary Namie's work at: workplacebullying.org

Perhaps you could offer your opinion about this particular situation.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.
Nurse Beth,

Sounds like it might be wise for you to read more research on bullying, psychological violence, etc., because your answer clearly shows your lack of knowledge on this topic. Read Gary Namie's work at: workplacebullying.org

Hi, there. I appreciate feedback, but I'm not sure I understand your concern.

The OP's question was how to contest a "not eligible for re-hire" status.

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