I was on vacation last week and came back to work my shift at the hospital 7p-7a on Sunday night. I was informed Sunday afternoon that I had been suspended and not to come into work. I was told that I needed to come to the hospital at that moment and talk with the nurse manager and director. I came in the following morning and waited almost 4 hours to see the director. When I finally walked into his office (I got tired of waiting) I was told he was too busy and I needed to see the nurse manager. I then went to the nurse manager office where I was told that I needed to go to HR. I asked "are you firing me?" She said that she, in good conscience could not allow me to come back to work.
I have excellent people skills, have never been late and sick one time (brought in a doctor note). I have (what I believe) excellent assessment skills as well. The floor I worked on is absolute chaos. I have managed quite well. This was my first nursing job but I am middle aged so this was by no means my only job. Here is why I was let go: We are to do assessments on each patient every 8 hours. That meant that I SHOULD have come in at 7pm and given my meds and sat around (like most others). However I always did my assessments between 7-10 because if something happened to the patient I would have the assessment completed. Anyway I was told that my downfall was I should have copied and pasted the assessment into the 11p-7a timeframe or have done it at that time. THEY FIRED ME FOR THIS. I had done this previously on occassion. I explained that the night said occurance took place I had 2 admissions and a women who thought she was having a heart attack. I also did not take a dinner break in over 12 hours.
I have been upset for days. They told me to write a resignation letter and it will not look so bad. I can also use them for references. I also made NO MONEY and the floor is always short. I am so hurt by this. I worked very well with the nurses on that floor. I welcomed new grads with open arms. The nurse manager even told me "everybody loves you". It has broken my heart and I am trying not to let it break my spirit as well. I have cried for days over this. I miss my coworkers. I miss my patients. I miss the culture. Please someone write me some words of wisdom to help me get over this. My heart is breaking right now.
I need to turn in my letter this week but I dread going to the floor to see everyone. She promised that she would say I resigned so that no one would know I was fired.
I am so worried that I will not find another job now due to the economy. Sorry this is scattered but I have been upset for days. Thank you for your kindness in reading this.
I had a similar situation where I was intimidated into writing a resignation letter otherwise I was going to be fired and I wouldn't get my last 2 weeks of pay (it was a sales job & there was a tiny clause in the employment contract about this so I didn't have a choice since I needed the money). I did not get unemployment or any letter of recommendation even though I asked for one (they refused). They just wanted my resignation letter to cover their own butt.
Anyway, I'm not a nurse yet, but is doing an assessment a couple of hours early a major ordeal where you knew you were breaking a policy? Are you aware of other nurses that were doing the same thing? Why weren't you written up first and given an opportunity to correct the situation? Was someone hurt as a result of you doing an assessment too early?? seriously, what's the deal? This does not sound fair.
Yes, I had been written up prior. Maybe I did not make that clear. I had no other infractions. As a matter of fact, the NM told me that they really did not know how to handle it as usually people are let go for lates, tardies, whatever, but not assessments.
I am thinking I am not going to turn in a resignation letter right away. I am eligible for tuition reimbursement and I am terrified I will not get that. I passed all the classes so I am eligible for over 1k.
One more thing, I told the nurse manager how busy I was that particular night and I forgot to add an extra assessment to the 2300 to 0700 hour. I simply forgot. It is as simple as that. I did not forget anything else...ever. I had been on the phone all night with the doc with the lady who thought she was having a heart attack. She was not. Also 2 admissions that I had to complete by myself.
Oh, and I worked a ton of extra. The floor is continuously short. I am sorry I keep writing about this but I am just upset...... but now I am starting to get mad (not good for my BP).
2- Also, do you know any attorneys who could advise you? What state do you live in? Maybe you should call the department of labor to be advised or the unemployment office? If you resign, can you still collect unemployment?
This sounds like you might need a lawyer. Do they have a clause about education reimbursement? If you resign, you might owe them money for all your educational costs that they have paid thus far or a portion of it.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I'm so sorry this happened to you. It's like a death. And I'm like you - I get very attached to the culture and the friends - all I can tell you for sure is there are often things at play behind the scenes and if you are anything like me I assume the best about people and when things hit the cr***** I've been the last to know.
Hanging around here for as long as I have I know Good Nurses Get Fired. Sometimes with 30 years of experience and a spotless record.
In my state if an employer says you were let go for "cause" it can interfere with a timely unemployment claim or we can be denied altogether- which I just mention in case your state might have similar regulations.
If you haven't seen it - maybe reading Viva Las Viejas blogs here on coming back from a termination will help you feel less alone. (((hugs))) You will bounce back, I know. It just doesn't feel like it now . .
I came in the following morning and waited almost 4 hours to see the director. When I finally walked into his office (I got tired of waiting) I was told he was too busy and I needed to see the nurse manager. I then went to the nurse manager office where I was told that I needed to go to HR. I asked "are you firing me?" She said that she, in good conscience could not allow me to come back to work. 
su9032
129 Posts
I had a similar situation where I was intimidated into writing a resignation letter otherwise I was going to be fired and I wouldn't get my last 2 weeks of pay (it was a sales job & there was a tiny clause in the employment contract about this so I didn't have a choice since I needed the money). I did not get unemployment or any letter of recommendation even though I asked for one (they refused). They just wanted my resignation letter to cover their own butt.
Anyway, I'm not a nurse yet, but is doing an assessment a couple of hours early a major ordeal where you knew you were breaking a policy? Are you aware of other nurses that were doing the same thing? Why weren't you written up first and given an opportunity to correct the situation? Was someone hurt as a result of you doing an assessment too early?? seriously, what's the deal? This does not sound fair.