Interview discrimination?

[RNmom7]

I know that know one can actually give me legal advice, but I just want to know if I should take this farther, so it doesn't happen to someone else or let it go.

My child will be attending a new therapeutic day school. The building is actually new, not just a new school for my kiddo. Anyway, it just so happens they're hiring a PT school nurse. I've been on an extended leave of absence due to this child's mental illness. Now that he's going to this school I thought it would be an awesome opportunity to work and earn money again and be able to be on his schedule. Most nursing jobs aren't that flexible and my husband travels.

When I submitted my application I got a phone call within 10 minutes. This is a very rural area and I'm sure qualified candidates are few and far between. I had an amazing phone interview with HR. She said I was a promising candidate and set me up with a virtual interview with the director and principal for the next afternoon. Five minutes after accepting the invitation I get a phone call from HR stating they can't interview with me at that time, due to my license being inactive. I was upfront with my license current status and that I am acquiring CEUs and will then promptly submit reactivation application promptly. She said without a current active license they couldn't interview me. Well student and graduate nurses interview all the time, so that isn't accurate.

I asked if I should call her once my license is reactivated, she said no. So I thought this must be about my child being a student there. I didn't try to hide it, but I didn't disclose it either. I wasn't asked. I decided to send the director an email myself, since we have already spoken on matters regarding my child. Explaining why I thing I'm a good candidate and how I would still appreciate the opportunity to interview. Her response was the position has been put on hold. I went to the listing and it's been updated today still open. This is a school full of children with ADHD, autism, bipolar, DMDD. They open next week they have to have a school nurse. These kids are prone to hurting themselves more than the general population plus some have medical needs as well. There's no hold on the hiring. I'm sure this is because I have a child attending the school. Proving it would be impossible I'm sure. But to just shut down the interviewing process for this reason feels wrong.

[londonflo]

RNmom7 said:

She said without a current active license they couldn't interview me. Well student and graduate nurses interview all the time, so that isn't accurate. 

Is this school part of a specific school district? If so, the district school board may have a policy that every applicant who applies for a position for which a state issued license is needed (teachers, nurses, bus drivers), will need an active license prior to interview. It may be that a policy like that will eliminate the interviews for teaching positions for someone who is just 'considering' going back into teaching. It probably is not directed at you.

I also wanted to add that the last couple of weeks before school starts is an exceptionally hectic time for all administrators (and you mentioned it is a new school to boot). Go ahead and get that license active and try  again at a later time. 

[RNmom7]

No, it's a private school. I get that it could be their policy, but in less than 24 hours they put a "hold" on hiring for the position, but updated in their career opportunities as an available position. 

[londonflo]

RNmom7 said:

I've been on an extended leave of absence due to this child's mental illness. Now that he's going to this school I thought it would be an awesome opportunity to work and earn money again and be able to be on his schedule. Most nursing jobs aren't that flexible and my husband travels. 

Your post has been on my mind for the last half hour. I really admire you for what you have done in adjusting your professional life for your child. And with a husband who travels, you have had to be present all the time. You will still have a more-than-full time job with your child adjusting to a new school.  May be you can use this time for a little "you" time? 

I really wouldn't read anything into the job position not showing up as 'on hold' on the career opportunities board. There may be a disconnect in the process of updating the website. In addition, there may already be a full-time nurse in place to manage all the aspects of care you mentioned including physical medication management of diabetics etc. And all those vaccination records need to be checked too! Was the part-time position described as a 'fill in' for vacations/illnesses?

I still want to reiterate that these few weeks before the school year starts are so incredibly hectic and a new school wants to start out on the best laid out plans to ensure a good reputation from the start.

I have never been a school nurse but I taught at several colleges for the majority of my career -- Incredibly, faculty who worked well together through years together would end up in arguments the week before school started over the stupidest things! Incredible tension abounds!

Once again, I admire you and hope you do get your license reactivated. You will be an asset to anywhere - may be there is a position for you in preparing inservices for the teachers and administrations of these private schools. 

In conclusion, I hope the school year is wonderful for your child and family. 

[RNmom7]

Thank you, I think I've let emotions run away with me. Our family has been in crisis for 5 years and I'm seeing small glimmers of hope. I just need to take it slowly. The right job will come at the right time.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

They can't hire you with an inactive licence. I appreciate that you're taking the refresher and retaking the NCLEX, but until those are done you're not an active nurse. I really don't think any discrimination has taken place. I also agree with the others that have the position open doesn't mean they're still accepting applications and doing interviews.  Unfortunately, even though there are a lot of high needs students, it doesn't mean the school is making a nurse the priority.  Good luck to you. 

[arlingtonnurse]

I think you should take them at their word, get the license all set and re-evaluate.  I hope I'm not wrong but I don't think they would discriminate against you just because your kiddo went to the school.  That is fairly common within this profession and isn't a detriment to the job. In my opinion, it's a plus.  It sounds like the director is not being honest about the job (they have to fill it) which is a red flag, but HR is likely stating the policy clearly that you need an active license.  If you know of students and new unlicensed nurses interviewing I could again be wrong, although in my opinion these would already be poor candidates for this position, as there is too much independence without support for a new nurse, especially in the medically complex school you are describing.

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

If the school is that disorganized, probably not a good place to work.  Please just focus on reactivating your license for now.  You may be able to find another school nurse opportunity once your license is active again.

Once, I interviewed for an NP position in an extremely rural area, with one of the few clinics there.  Let's just say the interview and hiring process was incredibly unprofessional and the pay abysmal.  Well, they could never fill the position after jerking me around!  Other NPs in the area told me they were treated the same way.  That position was open for at least 2 years!

Also, in a rural area, people tend to know most of the other folks.  Ask around and find out what is going on with that school.

Best wishes.

[beachynurse, ASN, BSN]

Most places won't interview you without an active license. You don't know how long it will take for the state to reactivate your license and they probably can't hold the position waiting for you. I'm sorry, but I don't think it's personal.