Hi,
I am a registered nurse, was hired at a local hospital and was waiting for my start date. In the mean time, I found a lump and was diagnosed with breast cancer. I waited to see what my treatments were going to entail until I decided that it wouldn't be a smart idea to start a new job. The main reason was because I needed health insurance through my current job, and the new job insurance wouldn't kick in for 3 months. So I decided to call the HR manager and tell her about my diagnosis. She told me she would speak to the nurse manager and call me back with what they could do for me. So, they called back and told me that after my treatments, I was promised a position and wouldn't have to go through any of the same hiring stuff (interview, math test, etc.). She even said, " if we have to we will make a position for you". I was so happy and relieved. Then I received a letter in the mail a few days later that had said something to the effect of please reapply when you are able or something. I kept in touch with the HR manager throughout my treatment a few times to show that I was still interested and updating how much longer it should be. Now that I am officially done with treatment, I spoke with the HR manager telling her I should be ready to work in 6 weeks or so and would like to get the ball rolling. She sent me a position, and told me to apply and she would give my resume to the same nurse manager and "remind" him about me and my situation. So I was really excited, and asked her what was next, and she just said, the manager will look at your resume and "you will be considered for the position". It felt like a slap in the face. Considered?? I was hired 2 hours after my interview 9 months ago, and promised a position. I applied to the same exact floor, same manager, just a different shift. Only thing that has changed was that I happened to be one of the unlucky ones to get the cancer diagnosis! It has been about 3 weeks since I applied, and haven't heard a thing. Part of me wants to e-mail or call and ask the status of the position, and part of me doesn't want to know because if it is bad, I don't know what I will do. Also, the more time that has passed waiting to hear, I am realizing I may not capable of doing that type of job right now, it is just to much on my body. My question is, does this hospital have a legal right to give me a job when I was already hired and had to "leave" because of a cancer diagnosis? I already signed all the papers, and was just waiting for the orientation day. Or do they have no legal commitment to hiring me again? Any info and advice would be great! Thank you for reading my long post!!!