School giving me bad reputation...

LoneWolfRN2010 · Jan 11, 2011

I do not believe that is legal in any way. I know at a former job when we were calling for references, there was only certain questions we were even allowed to ask, such as dates of employment, if the person quit/was fired/laid off, but no details, were they eligible for re-hire, yes or no.

Do you know who specifically is telling potential employers this or have any idea why? Sounds like you need to speak to that person, or go over their head and speak to the Dean of the Nursing school. seems like that type of behavior wouldn't boost any scores for the school itself either!

patricianyc · Jan 11, 2011

I don't know any specifics; the person that told me obviously wasn't supposed to but she wanted me to know. I called the school and they are denying that they would do that.

Music in My Heart · Jan 11, 2011

Well, I'd certainly try for more details including what, specifically, was said and by whom.

Is this somebody who you listed as a reference? If not, then why is the prospective employer even calling the school? And who, exactly, are they calling? And how do they even know who to call?

Regardless, I doubt that it's "illegal" for someone to render an opinion that the employer might look to another candidate though they could be opening themselves to liability depending on the specifics of the questions and answers.

Were I you, I'd probably arrange to have someone call the school posing as an employer and seek to replicate the situation.

Consider, also, that the person reporting to you might be misinformed/confused (if they weren't the person making the call) or simply making a convenient excuse for a decision not to hire you.

Investigate.

Altra, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2011

OK, there are a lot of holes in this story.

Why are potential employers even calling the school, other than to verify graduation or request transcripts? If you have listed references on your applications for employment, then those specific people would be contacted, and I would assume that you have listed individuals whom you have previously obtained their agreement to serve as a reference for you and who would have something positive to say about you.

patricianyc · Jan 11, 2011

They were not listed as a reference to call; I have not heard of potential employers calling the school to get a reference before.

Altra, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2011

So .... what leads you to believe that potential employers are calling your school?

GGT1 · Jan 11, 2011

Well most instructors (at least at my school) continue to work PT at local hospitals...so I could see where an instructor would tell a manager they work for or know whether or not you are a good candidate. I just always try to remember that nursing is a small world and to make sure I don't burn bridges and that I make a good impression...always. Not impossible, but I doubt someone that just works for the school is calling around to the local hospitals to tell them what a horrible candidate you are.

patricianyc · Jan 11, 2011

Well the school isn't calling hospitals, I was told that the hospital contacted the school and asked about me. I definitely know what you mean about burning bridges; but when I graduated there had been none of those type situations.

caliotter3 · Jan 11, 2011

If you have reasonable cause to believe this is going on, it might be worth about two or three hundred dollars to have an attorney send a cease and desist letter to the school. You do not have to have a name to provide to the attorney. Usually this type of contact from a lawyer does the trick for this type of behavior.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Jan 11, 2011

I'm actually not surprised that a potential employer looking to hire a brand new grad would be contacting the school. At this point in a new grad's career, there are no nursing-work related references other than the school. And it is entirely possible to graduate from nursing school and not have the capacity to BE a nurse.

Wanna_BA_Nurse · Jan 11, 2011

I think if you put them on your reference list they can say whatever they want because you're the one who wrote them down. But if they aren't then that is slander - unless you really do suck at nursing - which I doubt, or else someone would've told you by now.