I gave notice today...

Nurses General Nursing

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I really used to like my job and my hospital but they've been having bad financial problems so everyone is super cranky...I was worried that the hospital was going to go belly up so I tweaked the resume and just started seeing what else was out there. One of the places called my boss for a reference even after I asked them to be careful with that,because we all know that workplaces can be very petty about that sort of thing.

Over the past couple of weeks since that phone call, the supervisors and some of the staff have been really nasty. I've been doing fine up until this point(still kind of a new nurse) now all of a sudden, I'm getting reprimanded for stupid things and in some cases, what I'm getting reprimanded for is an outright lie. One of our techs lost a son in a car accident about 7 months ago and she is not nice to be around(she was abrasive before the accident). Found out today that she was writing down all kinds of stuff about me and running to the nurse manager..Not to be snotty, but since when does a tech do an evaluation on an RN? I was a tech before and it is not the same job. By the nurse managers own admission, she thinks this is a "personality issue" but she thinks maybe I should be more aggressive. Keep in mind I heard not one complaint before the whole phone call issue.

I decided that life is too short to put up with people who act like they're still in middle school and I will not be scapegoated because the hospital is going through tough times. I do think everyone is afraid to tell the woman who lost her son to knock it off with the attitude ,because they are afraid to push her over the edge. I myself have bitten my tongue because I know she's going through a bad time. But I fail to see why I should be her whipping boy-she torments one of the orderlies too and when he's not there, guess who bears the brunt of her venom? Yep, me.

So I gave notice tonight in letter form and put it in the nurse managers mailbox. I'm still willing to work there per diem if needed and I gave 3 weeks notice. They are going to be in dire straits because one of our RNs is going home to the Phillipines for a whole month. As for me, I have between 3-5 people daily that leave messages on my voicemail offering me a job. I'm thinking of doing travel nursing but staying local until I get my feet wet. One of my friends at the hospital thought I was letting the miserable tech win but I look at it this way, if I can get a better paying job without having to deal with the wench anymore, then it's win-win for me. I had to control myself but the letter was professional. I wanted to take the high road. Plus, if she ever leaves and the dynamics of the place change, then I can always go back there(if the hopital hasn't folded by then!;) ) Thanks for letting me vent. I actually feel pretty good about the whole thing. Scared silly too, but sometimes you have to take chances..

If you are really unhappy, you should leave.

Specializes in Pulmonology/Critical Care, Internal Med.

Umm.....exactally how does a CNA write up an RN.....???? I'm kind of confused about that. I thought that CNA's worked under RN's not the other way around.

Specializes in Operating Room.
Umm.....exactally how does a CNA write up an RN.....???? I'm kind of confused about that. I thought that CNA's worked under RN's not the other way around.
This woman is not a CNA, she's a surgical tech and yes, they are unlicensed personnel. Unfortunately, we have many techs at my hospital who are resentful of anyone who was once a tech and then went back to school. Some of these people have the biggest mouths and do a great deal of complaining..add to that nurse managers who have no backbone and you have a recipe for a bad working environment.
Specializes in CT ,ICU,CCU,Tele,ED,Hospice.

move on ,be happy and good luck.life is too short to be treated that way.

Specializes in Pulmonology/Critical Care, Internal Med.

Surgical Tech ohh gosh, okey so still.....how does a ST write up an RN. Is it the NM thats writing up the RN based on what the ST says or is it the ST actually signing the little slip and putting it into the RN's Mailbox. Ya'll are really starting to worry me about working in hospital. So many folks are resentful of others its just sad.

Specializes in Operating Room.
Surgical Tech ohh gosh, okey so still.....how does a ST write up an RN. Is it the NM thats writing up the RN based on what the ST says or is it the ST actually signing the little slip and putting it into the RN's Mailbox. Ya'll are really starting to worry me about working in hospital. So many folks are resentful of others its just sad.

It's a case of the ST making little notes on a sheet of looseleaf paper(like she's in 5th grade-can't even be bothered to type it LOL)and running to the nurse manager. Everyone treats her with kid gloves because of her loss and I feel for her, I honestly do. But she was always kind of the backstabbing type-there are some peple on the day shift that can't stand her. Now, it's even worse because I can't really say anything to her or about her, even in a professional manner, without looking heartless. So, no worries, off I go to a higher paying job-let the rest of them deal with her.;)

Specializes in Operating Room.
I realize you have every right to be unhappy with this tech. Did you ever think about pulling her aside and asking her what is going on? People who are angry like that, especially after such a huge loss, are usually depressed. She probably needs an ear, anyway. People stop talking about your loss about 6 weeks after, when you really need people to acknowledge it about 2-3 YEARS after- I know I was in her position when I lost my son. The world feels like such an unjust place afterwords sp?, small injustices are magnified, you just don't have much tolerence for things, and you can't handle them like you should. Frankly you are fearless when it comes to confronting people, because once you've been through the worst thing in your life, what could be worse? That doesn't mean she is rational about this and does not excuse her behavior. I think someone needs to suggest or ask gently if she is in counseling and that sometimes extra help like an antidepressant is needed. I would put money down that she was probably depressed before this happened, due to her previous attitude you mentioned. At any rate, I do think it's best to confront people when they behave like this, and have a 'grown up' conversation when issues occur (regardless of personal issues.) I think too often in nursing, we choose the passive route like she did, instead of dealing with things head on.

Anyway, Best of luck to you in your new position!

Yes, she is in counseling and you know, I have been a good coworker and friend to her,before and after the loss. She is just not a happy person I guess. If I confront her, even nicely, she will probably lose it. Then I'll look bad for "making her cry". In my first year of nursing, I've learned that some people and situations can't be fixed. Smart nurses know when to move on...Thanks everyone for all your support!:loveya:
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