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 In other words, a job offer at a hospital was rescinded due to their discrimination against me.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.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

I am Orthodox which does not give me much flexibility in terms of which day I observe as my "sabbath" or "a day of rest." I did ask 3 rabbis about the issue and basically was told that since I am not working in an emergency care setting, it's not considered as a "life saving situation," and because I would be traveling to a hospital(which is not allowed on Sabbath) and "waiting" for the life saving situation to happen. There are emergency medical personnel that are allowed to violate these rules but it didn't apply to my particular situation.

Become an ER nurse. Problem solved.

[I love my cat!]

Absolutely I would hire a nurse that has blown the whistle on a facility-and won! It shows me that the Nurse has intelligence, independent thinking skills and nerves of steel. If my facility is implementing fair and proper employment practices, why not? There is nothing to sue. Only people with something to hide and afraid that their can of worms will be opened would be scared to hire a Nurse that takes the initiative against discrimination. I have seen many Nurses discriminated against in my Nursing career. Sadly, they keep their months shut for fear of losing their job. This is why so many places get away with horrible treatment towards their employees. They know that fear and intimidation work.

[RNewbie]

OP, I'm sorry that you are going through this. Employers google candidates all the time and I would not hire you knowing that you could not meet weekend requirements and for fear of being sued. I'm Christian and I could not imagine telling my employer that Sunday is my day of worship and rest and expect them to be okay with it if the job had weekend requirements. I am surprised that you were able to prove discrimination and win a case. I believe that people are legitimately discriminated against all the time and I feel that they should sue but with the info you provided it doesn't seem that you were discriminated on. I currently work per diem and I love creating my own schedule. I don't work Sundays. Hopefully you can find a PRN or M-F position that works for you.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Please don't become an APN with the idea that its M-F! My concern is that you are suit happy. Has nothing to do with your religion - you knew your requirements going into the job. To sue because they won't accomodate signals to me that you will sue often - I'd never hire you and I sure as heck wouldn't want to work with you as an APN.

[mclennan, BSN, RN]

Wow. A year ago I left a M-F, 9-5 clinic job at a Jewish hospital. It was the worst nursing job I've ever had, worst manager, but there's the solution to all your problems. Find Jewish hospitals, they're out there.

There are so many Jewish doctors who must have private practices - network with your temple and community, hand out resumes and make announcements and do whatever it takes to find a job that will accommodate your faith.

I think being resourceful enough to search for Jewish employers, and having the brains to tell potential employers about your needs before you're hired are not only hallmarks of an intelligent person but a compassionate Jewish person. I live with my Jewish boyfriend in a Jewish community, and cannot imagine any rabbi, Orthodox or not, telling any of their followers that multiple litigation was some sort of reflection/demonstration of their commitment to their faith. Absolutely not. I think you are making something up here or just don't want to admit you have made a serious mistake. Sorry. I've had enough deeply involved experience with Judaism and health care as an objective observer to know what I am talking about, and I don't buy most of your story.

[SunshineSmile]

I completely agree with "I love my cat." A lot of people have a "slave to my employer/government" mentality regardless of their background. "Oh, if I complain, I will loose my job." "If I complain, no one will hire me again." Complain=punishment. So they keep their mouths shut and just look for another job. How do you think revolutions happened? Massive number of people complained, and things got fixed. If a facility is doing something wrong, the employees should be encouraged to speak up and fix the problem. Unions are there for that also. The management should be supportive of it so that the facility could become the best that it can be. The fact that a nurse had the guts to risk it all says that he/she will stand up for what he/she believes. It also shows that if you hire him/her, he/she will stand up for the patients' rights and point out things if someone is harming a patient. You want someone like that for your facility if you want a great facility.

[Rnandsoccermom]

The problem with this is it lends itself to favoritism. I also work with someone who requires the Fri/Sat sabbath and is accommmodated by the boss. We are all forced to rearrange our schedules and shifts for this persons needs. We all feel slighted, none of us gets every day off we need. Based on my experiences with this, I am sorry but the OP needs to find a different profession.

[jvman]

Miss, I'd suggest you go seek and find a daytime, office job, that's closed on the W/E so you can practice your faith, religion as you choose, and don't go into a job, and get hired and then "exclaim: I have religious choices that interfere with this schedule... I'm gonna jump on the fact you didn't explain this "Restriction" before being hired the second time, so I'm further going to say.... try getting work at 61, after being out on disability, and think of discrimination, as they won't hire you because you ar too old... get real, there are jobs that fit your CHOICES, and there are jobs that don't, so go where you FIT. Lastly, try living in Florida a right to work state, and "you want to claim discrimination???" be honest and seek what fits for you, not the other way around. As a single male, I've bee discrininated, always get the wacko patients, the non-compliant ones, and scheduled Holidays, so everyone else could be at home for Christmas with the babies and small children, suck it up and accept this isn't discrimination if you had been honest before the job was offered....

[nurseladybug12]

I remember the terms of my employment being that I have to work every other weekend, and I have to work 2 of 3 major holidays. If you had signed something similar or were aware of the terms of your employment not being something you could fulfill, that probably should have been discussed prior to being employed.... and I personally would not think it is discrimination... I am christian and I have to work on Christmas... I would not necessarily say that I am being "discriminated against". It is unfortunate that your history with past employers is publicized, but I would agree with everyone else and say that I am not surprised you are having a hard time finding a job because it is an employers' job market right now. Hind sight is always 20/20.

[echoRNC711, BSN]

If your religion is so important why not pick a M-F job that suits your needs.

Have you considered your co workers may also feel inconvenienced by having to accomadate to your choices. Did you ever ask co workers if they felt discriminated having to cover for you. I haven't ever seen provision for Christians to go to mass on Sunday or any other faith

.My religion is kindness and lucky for me that does not require a church.

The fruit of your faith is how you live it.

[echoRNC711, BSN]

Have you ever considered becoming a legal nurse?

....you seem to have a natural aptitude for a good case.

[Orange Tree]

Who would take care of you if you were hospitalized and everyone believed what you believed?