"internal positions" filled by seniority?

[treeye]

Just wondering how internal openings (non-union) are filled in hospitals? If one nurse started one month later than another nurse, but she got higher 90-day review scores. Will she still be the second one to consider for that position?

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

It depends on the facility's policy. At my hospital, internal applicants aren't guaranteed the position over an external applicant, or over another internal applicant with more seniority. An internal applicant is assessed on their years of experience, areas of experience, performance reviews, attendance history, and any disciplinary action taken against them employee. Then, if the applicant is deemed a good fit for the position, an interview is granted. But there is nothing that says that just because the person has more seniority they get the position. An applicant with one year of ICU experience would be considered over a person with two years of med-surg.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

thank goodness we do not have to content with unions. We get to hire the best candidate for the job. Period.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

This is entirely up to the organization, if it is not spelled out in a collective bargaining agreement. Look up your hospital's HR policies.

[llg, PhD, RN]

As others have said, it depends on the particular hospital's policies. Where I work (non-union) ... if the open position is truly a different job (e.g. in another department or involves doing a different type of work), the manager is free to hire whoever he/she feels is the best person for the job. However, if the "open position" is actually the same job in the same department, just with a different work schedule ... then that change would be made by seniority.