New Bipolar DX

[ShiRN]

Hello everyone,

I was hoping for some advice. I am 29 and up until November of last year, I had spent my entire 7 years as an RN on the same floor of the same hospital- I was also one semester away from graduating with a DNP. Backing up to July of last year, I started to experience what I now know is Bipolar disorder which resulted in issues at work and school. By the end of November I had quit my job, and school, fearful that both my co-workers and school officials were conspiring to hurt me.

I ended up in a psych hospital for nearly a month, but am ok now, with doctors feeling I can return to work/school completely unrestricted.

I have no interest in going back to my old job because of the off hours and the inpatient setting. My issue is I found what was the perfect clinic job for me at this point (great pay, no holidays/weekends, pretty much 9-5) at a different organization and have had great interviews with HR, the nursing manager, the doctor, and a PA. Today however, I was informed that they cannot extend a job offer because of either my former manager or CNS trashing me in the reference survey (the HR person wouldn't tell me which one, but I was very surprised that I was told this at all). I had a stellar career at my former organization for 6 and 1/2 years, but a horrible last six months, but still left on my own terms.

Before using my manager and CNS as references, I had conversations with both and made it clear I had not been feeling well the last six months I was with them, and to please judge me on the 6 and 1/2 good years.

What else can I do? This was the only job I've ever had and I won't be able to get another RN job in my city without two manger level references as a minimum.

[ellieheart]

It might cost a little, but I would suggest paying a lawyer to call the HR department on your behalf with threats of lawsuit for "Employer Defamation" That's usually enough to scare the other party into keeping their mouth shut in the future. If they give out any information other than "eligible for rehire or not" you will have grounds for a lawsuit. It may be somewhat frivolous and ultimate you probably can't win, but most people would agree that even revenge isn't worth going through the pain of getting sued.

Employer Defamation

Employer Defamation

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Hello there, and welcome to Allnurses! I'm sorry you've had so much difficulty the past few months; I'm bipolar 1 myself and know what it's to try to hold down a job when my symptoms flare up.

I think you might want to consider other areas of nursing that are friendlier to nurses with "issues". Dialysis and long term care are two that I can think of which may be easier to get into than some others. Of course you will not want to disclose your diagnosis to a potential employer. While it's nothing to be ashamed of, it's best to keep it under wraps because they will use it as a reason not to hire you. Legally they can't do this, but they can always find another reason.....especially with the way your first job ended.

I wish you luck, whatever you decide to do. This whole situation stinks and you have my sympathies. Bipolar is hard enough to deal with and it doesn't seem fair to have to worry about being unemployed. Take care.

[Jules A, MSN]

Maybe ask them if copies of excellent former evaluations would be considered? I keep all that stuff just in case.