Blackballed? (Sorry, lengthy)

[webbiedebbie]

This is beginning to sound fishy to me. A recruiter just called about a position I put in for through a transfer where I currently work in a non-nursing position. This hospital is the only one in this city. I have been there for three years. Took a break from nursing for personal reasons.

I have interviewed for several positions in the past year because I am ready to return to nursing. I have been out for about 5 years. My specialty is OB.

Today, I was told that I didn't qualify for the position because I don't have recent experience and the unit is now very strict in what they are looking for. But the recruiter also told me that in the last two years, they have hired 6 new grads in this position!

I have met with managers and have been open about my reasons for stepping out of nursing for awhile. All have been receptive. I had interviewed for 3 different positions in the last year. One was offered to me in Orthopedics (no experience per jost description), but then rescinded because I did not have experience in that area!

Meanwhile, I have secured a position in my specialty at another hospital in another city. They did not have a problem with my being out of nursing. I even completed orientation in half the time. This hospital reported being impressed with my skills.

The problem is, I have to commute one hour away from where I live. I took the position to prove that I have not lost any of my skills. The other problem with this job is that it pays about $9.00 less than what my own city hospital pays.

My city hospital wants me to take a nurse refresher course and then work Med/Surg. But the recruiter told me that she has many nurses on Med/Surg looking to transfer into positions and that they are not able to do that due to their lack of experience in the areas that they are looking to transfer to.

Seems hopeless to me. I know, I know, I can stay at my current position in nursing for awhile before trying again to put in for the specialty I was trained in at my own city hospital. But I would prefer to work in my own city!

How can they do this?

[nanna1999]

it is happening all over in nursing. experienced nurses like us are being exchanged for new grads at less pay and the hospital can train them to their tactics with out debriefing from experiences.

[passionate]

Something alot like this happened to me. I was a surgical tech going to nursing school but continuing to take call in the OR. When I finsished school and passed my boards I put in for the first RN position the OR posted. I was told by the DNS that new grads were required to work on the floor for 2 years before specializing. I asked her to show me that in writing and I would be happy to comply. That written policy does not exist but did after I challenged it. Also, are you a represented hospital with a bargaining unit? If you find there is no policy to support what you have been told then get ahold of your state organization and inquire. Good luck.

[dnnc52]

Also in NC you can also defend any negative stuff in your file. Even if its an ex-employer. HR is a lot more professional now then in the past. many of the older wrire-ups are based upon hear say and genearl personality dislikes. I had 6 writeups in 8yrs and always from one particular nurse. Also I found that positive write-ups from families, patients and other sources were not in my records. That they gave me a copy of. I have been gone from this place almost 10yrs. I suggest all the nurse to review their files. YES as long as the hospital is a public hospital and particpates with federal programs, then we can have access to our personel files. But beware there is at tmes a "shadow file" But even with that you can see them as well with the right consultant. Also they are not allowed to remove or add to your file after you get a copy. The problem with blacklisting is that many HR and recruiters are friends and network. always keep records of the places that you apply and a journal of the activity as well.