Discrimination & Whistle blowing - Would you hire this nurse again?

[SunshineSmile]

I was discriminated against when I applied for a job. In other words, a job offer at a hospital was rescinded due to their discrimination against me. I sued them and won. Now my name is all over Google if you search it. A few years later, similar thing happened. I got a job at a well known hospital, worked at the place, and the manager discriminated me. Since she couldn't make it obvious that the discrimination as the reason for terminating me, she micromanaged me and came up with a bunch of things that a new orientee might get wrong or make mistakes on to get me fired. Now, my lawyers are about to sue that hospital also.

I have been looking for a new job for the last 6 months since the fancy hospital manager let me go. My question is, is my career doomed because my name is tarnished all over the internet as a "litigious nurse," or does it really matter? Do HR people and nurse managers reconsider offering a job to a good candidate because she once sued another facility? What they did to me was wrong. And I want justice. But do people that sue facilities end up having a hard time getting a job elsewhere because of it? It seems like double punishment to me.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

A lot of whether I would hire a nurse who had sued prior facilities would depend on the nurse themselves and what they had to offer, as well as why they had felt the need to bring on litigation.

While I respect one's desire to practice their religion, unfortunately you have chosen to enter--of your own free will--into a profession that has needs that must be met 24/7/365. Acute care doesn't close down because it's Saturday or Sunday or Ramadan or Easter or whatever day it is. Patients don't pack up and go home because of a religious observance. Someone has to be there to care for them.

It's similar to what I've said in the past: if you're against abortion, don't go and apply to work at Planned Parenthood. Because you can't expect the hospital to change policy and procedure solely to accommodate your religion, especially if it's a hardship to them and to other employees. And in the 24/7/365 world of acute care, staff not being able to work on weekends may very well may be considered a bona-fide hardship to the employer.

If you are absolutely adamant about not working on the Sabbath, I can respect that. However, I think you also need to be realistic in where you can successfully work because of that.

I agree with the others--per-diem or a M-F job may offer you better chances of getting hired. Of course, if and when you enter into your own practice as a NP, you'll have a lot more control in where--and when--you work.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

Although it sounds like no big deal to have 1 specific 24-hour period off per week, I can see how it would be problematic on units with 12 hour shifts. Sundown times change every single day, and you can't leave in the middle if a shift just because it's sundown time. These periods of time off would probably extend to 48 hours in the summer. I'm wondering if the second NM erroneously thought the accommodation could easily be made, but in practice, it became unworkable.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

You've been "discriminated" against twice. Far more than the average nurse. Honestly, I'd hesitate to hire you---worried about future claims against the facility or me personally. Sorry.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

How did religion even come up in the discussions? Seems odd to me....

The discrimination was based on religion. The facility blatantly told me that they were taking away the job offer because of my religion. And the manager at the second place where I worked told me that she would not have hired me if she knew of my religion. Not sure if that makes a difference.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

How did religion even come up in the discussions? Seems odd to me....

elaborated further in following posts. she/he is an observant jew, needed the sabbath off.

[amoLucia]

Even PRN (or any position requiring a Friday) could become a problem - I speak of staff who are mandated to stay over to work during critical stafing periods, esp like during snowstorms or Superstorm Sandys, facility lockdowns, 9/11 conditions, etc. What would OP do??? Walk out???

Oh yeah - it would happen again.

OP needs a position that allows her absolute scheduling flexibility.

Even as I think about it - staff have been 'stuck' on Thursdays, Wednesdays and back longer into the Friday-Saturday weekend depending on emergencies.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Unfortunately, anything that lables you a "high maintenance employee" affects you chance of getting hired. Suing a hosptial and needing schedule accomodations are considered high maintenance.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

It probably will cause you problems unless maybe you can find a manager that is of the same faith and therefore might be more sympathetic and willing to work with your scheduling needs.

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

If all the Christians demanded "accommodation" to take off every Sunday (and holidays like Christmas, Easter, etc) it would be a scheduling nightmare! Everyone who goes into healthcare knows this isn't a 9-5 job and if you willfully decided to go into a 24-7 job knowing that you were going to make a fuss over working the hours that everyone knows you will need to work, then I'm sorry but I think that is your problem. The onus is on you to find a place where you do not need to be accommodated i.e. a doctor's office or something.

[DSkelton711]

Agree with TakeTwo: I am Christian and would love to be able to have Sundays off because that is what is in the Ten Commandments. But I knew going into nursing school that would not be possible and I would never expect that from my employer unless they closed on Sundays. You definitely need to stop looking at hospitals and subsequently suing them when they don't make your demand. Hopefully you can find something in an office, if they will accept you, as now you are a high-risk potential.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Sabbath observer. I told them I could work Saturday nights and any time Sundays, but not from Friday sundown to to Saturday sunset. They wanted me to work alternate weekends, which is common, and did not want to make any acommodations. I have worked for a facility that had no problem with me working every Sundays instead of every other Sat, Sun. It's what they call in legal jargon as "reasonable acommodation."

Sorry, but I wouldn't have accomodated you either, religion or not. And, I probably would have told you why in the interview, just as that manager did. You have a right to be upset, however, you must also realize that health care is 24/7, including weekends. Many staff members want weekends off, which is often based on seniority. While you're entitled to observe your religion, the business of health care should not have to work around that. People are ill, and managers need flexibility in a new hire. You did yourself in by taking the matter as far as you have.

[coupb8222]

Sabbath is all about taking a day of rest.

A great book to read is Sabbath by Wayne Muller. Gives perspective about the act of Sabbath, not necessarily the date it occurs.

God wants us to live at peace with others.

I would spend time in prayer about your Sabbath. It's about glorifying God and finding rest. If you can do that on Monday instead of Friday, go for it. It's about the act, and where your heart is. Strongly consider spending time praying on observing Sabbath on your days off, rather than suing a company who won't hire you because you won't work a specific day of the week. Sabbath should be in your heart, not on the day of the week.

I think your in a Catch 22 and I think your employment options are very limited. Try to work for some type of faith based clinic or something who can honor your request, as a hospital 24/7 operation will not work well for your schedule needs.

I would spend time in prayer regarding your Sabbath, rather than suing each and every company that does not extend you the job offer. You have demands that aren't with the 'times', regardless if it's based on your religion or not. And if you won a lawsuit or not.

Just because you CAN sue someone and win, does not mean that you SHOULD sue someone.

What would GOD do? I think he would work work work work work work work, and take a day for rest. You can do that. Modern day work weeks are not those of biblical times. Please reconsider and do some inner searching and prayer. You can still honor God and work Weekends.