Rejected for being a Male NP?

[googs]

Hey everyone.

I just applied to a dream job: an internal medicine position a 3 minute walk from my home in our beautiful suburban town. It is a hospital-owned practice with amazing benefits and I already work per-diem for the hospital in their urgent care centers. I called my recruiter at the hospital, who said I have an excellent resume and he will put me at the top of the pile and he then contacted the regional medical director. He got back to me the next day and said that they were "looking for a woman" (I'm a guy) for the position because 80% of the patient population is female and they sometimes do breast exams and PAPs (which I do have experience in). He said the patients would probably be more comfortable with a female provider.

Is this right? Can they "only" seek a woman provider unofficially? This isn't a GYN office, it is primary care. Even then, there are many male GYNs. Do I have any recourse here? This is my DREAM job because I can walk to work and get the benefits of a large hospital organization.

[OllieW, DNP, PhD, NP]

I know several male NP and MDs who will not provide paps - they refer all to female associates. Had I decided to work in family practice I would have done the same. Its just too much of a hassle.

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

that is horrible. The majority of patients in all hospitals are female also, guess they should stop hiring male nurses too? You should seek legal advice and google the EEOC and file a on-line complaint and contact your state attorney general's office, they can provide you with steps to take. No it won't guarantee your job...but would help out the other dude who tries down the road.