I just got fired... what the hell happened?

NocturneNrse · Nov 30, 2010

Yes - the same "heparin incident" nurse is involved (they couldnt tell me exactly WHO made the complaint, but I remember the supposed incident).

My only issue with a legal route would be if I have a case. I've been investigating it online some, and because this isn't due to ethnicity, religion, sexual harassment, or gender - it seems I have a very weak case, if any at all. I am certainly going to speak to an attorney though, just to see what my options are. This is an "at will" company.

I'd spoken to my supervisor concerning hostile work environment before, but hadn't written a "formal" complaint about it. And, I'm sure as you can guess.. nothing had been done about it. No surprise there.

These "issues" with the same other shift nurses had been going on for some time, and not only with me. It's well known , yet continues w/o intervention. Perhaps my filing a legal complain might, in the very least, change things for the remaining nurses there that have to deal w/this environment.

The thing that still blows my mind.. are that these complaints are LIES! Blatant untruths - I don't know how to emphasize that enough! I've even documented in their computer charting, my interventions with these patients that are concerned, and everything done correctly, per protocol. Yet still - I'm just sickened by the "injustice"... really, had given people the benefit of the doubt and ths is just so disheartening.

Guess I just didn't fit into their clique, wasn't going to conform to the "******" "snitty" "backstabbing" type nurse that they are.. and that might have been a threat to them. I've always been someone who is true to myself and my integrity/ethics.. perhaps that made it worse for me.

Whatever happens.. I still can hold my head high, no matter what the rumors might be soaring through that hospital right now.. that I have acted by protocol, putting my patients first, and didn't compromise my character to "fit in".

Now that the stone feeling is gone from my stomach, I'm a bit peaceful. Strange.. guess this might have just pushed me towards that job I'd been hoping for... just a smidge faster.

THANK YOU everyone for your wonderful advice, and mostly for your SUPPORT!!! I really appreciate it and no longer feel so all alone in this.

Thank you , Thank you, THANK YOU ! ! ! ! :hug::kiss:lvan:

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2010

I quit my first nursing job because so many of the nurses would back stabbing the nurses that did not fit in their cliques. They use to go to the manager and lied about other nurses. Before I got fired, which probably would not happened, I quit! Now, I am in such a better environment. The nurses on my floor work as a team and look out for each other in a good way.

Still, I hope you don't really trust them.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2010

Unbelievable, I thought I was the only one, called in HR and fired on the spot for being threatening and dangerous for patients and staff, escorted out by security, when I filed my appeal security met me at the hospital entrance and wouldn't allow me in.
A coworker I thought was a friend showed my boss some text messages I sent, even though they were obviously tongue in cheek, they pretended that they were just part of my dangerous and explosive behavior. This thing had to involve 3or 4 people I liked and worked with everyday. Its been 2 weeks since I appealed and I haven't heard a word. Meanwhile I have to worry about losing my nursing license.
And there is not a word of truth in the whole complaint, No specific incident etc.
I can't believe how people can turn on each other, I know everyone wanted more overtime, some were afraid I would take some of their "charge" shifts, I am just speechless. I am glad to know I am not the only one- when I tell people what happened to me, I always feel like they don't believe me. My own wife still thinks its my fault for bringing this on myself. I thought the hospital would investigate and exonerate me, but my lawyer really gives me little hope of clearing my name.
I am just shocked.

Sorry this happened, but, to be truthful, you did send those text messages, right? Believe me, I am not condemning you, just am saying that we do sometimes have a part in bringing about our own troubles. You would think that people would understand and be forgiving, but it so often doesn't work that way.

Your messages must have fallen wrongly on their ears, given the day and time in which we live - a time when you simply cannot say certain things without scaring people, arousing their dis-ease. Also, if you were badmouthing the boss or the company, can you really blame them for their reaction? I would not want someone working for me if he didn't think well of me and my company. Would you? Maybe you can approach your boss with this insight and offer a heartfelt apology and expression of your newfound understanding of his feelings and thoughts about whatever you texted. Even if you don't get your job back, he might end up being less angry/hurt/scared, less intent on hurting you back, which would be good if you have to use this job as a reference.

I have an acquaintance who said something in a coffee shop, was reported to the police for saying a certain word. :eek: In America, yes. Another friend was reported to be getting ready to rob a bank when his big, beaten-up vehicle wouldn't start and he happened to be wearing sunglasses and a camoflauge coat! he was waiting for the roadside assistance folk to show up when the police arrived, demanded ID, questioned him, checked for wants and warrants, while keeping continuous watch over him, not letting him leave. Come to think of it, maybe it was the same woman who reported them both, since the location of both events was at/just outside that coffee shop. :crying2: :mad: The second example just shows the high level of suspicion that people have these days and their stereotypes, but the first troubles me because it involved speech. We are so trained to be politically correct, we have to be so careful to protect our images and reputations.

I hope you wind up in a better situation real soon, Dude.

guinans · Nov 30, 2010

Hi Nocturne. Hope you're feeling a little better today. I had posted yesterday about how this same thing has happened to me, and more than once in my 25 year career. Its happened 3 times. I can tell you from my own experience that I always qualified for unemployment compensation when this happened. I can also tell you that I never needed it for more than 2 weeks. Thats all it ever took me to find another job. I live in a large city with lots of health care providers, so that might have helped my situation. Reference checks and interviews with potential employers can be tricky. I can tell you that I have always used the employer who bamboozled me as a reference. I knew they couldn't say squat against me because I hadn't really done anything wrong, and I knew that THEY knew I'd be setting them up for a damages claim if they DID say anything against me. Another option might be to be honest with a potential employer, but you really have to feel that one out. I can't say I have ever used that tactic. One of the best options I've found is to go with a temp agency. I've been able to be pretty honest with a temp agency about what happened at my previous, problem job and they are usually pretty understanding. I think they hear this sort of thing all the time. This gives you a chance to feel out different job situations, maybe even different specialties. It was through a temp agency after a firing that I found a position as a Research Nurse Coordinator at a major, world renowned teaching institution. It was HIV research back in the 1990's when HIV was still a big threat and the work was fascinating, and felt important and noble, which appealed to me. I just loved it. This position lead to even better things and now I never let myself stay stuck in bad situations. The creeps did me a huge favor. Just don't let embarrassment or shame rule the decisions you make over the next few weeks. Keep in mind that the creeps likely did you a favor, and you may have been stuck in that awful, hostile situation forever otherwise.

NocturneNrse · Nov 30, 2010

Thank you! Yes, the embarassment is kicking in now.. the word is out w/my former coworkers. All that I have spoken to (just a few) have expressed their support and disgust w/what has happened. I don't want them to get involved though... they still have to work there.

But.. still. I am finding myself second guessing - then snapping to, but the humiliation reallly stinks.

I hope that I am only unemployed for 2 wks. I've already applied to a bunch of jobs. I have listed my former employer as a reference, and will be checking to see if they're making slanderous comments.

I'm just ticked that they have had such an impact on my emotional health. I find myself thinking I'm not a good nurse, and cannot return to the kind of nursing that I was doing, thinking I can't "hack" it. I know deep down, that I acted correctly.. just the damned emotions that make me second guess myself. I'm still so angry w/the nurses who'd made those false complaints against me, and want so badly for them to feel sorry for it, but I know they don't have consciences enough to "feel" much of anything.

SO - I'm just going to take some time for myself, sort through what I really want, and try to keep realizing the value that I can provide to a company in my nursing. And.. enjoy having this Christmas OFF now!

tralalaRN · Nov 30, 2010

You, I'm sorry to say, have been a victim of workplace "mobbing" an extreme form of bullying - be sure to do a search on the internet - it is extremely prevelant. You may have a case against them if you can prove "workplace violence" - and this type of thing is certainly violence of the psychological, emotional kind. I BELIEVE YOU! I have seen this happen. Usually it is a group of young nurses who gang up on a nurse they do not like - they take it to management, and management tells them to "document" what they are observing. .suddenly the nurse is taken unknowingly into a discussion with management and HR, and all of a sudden . .gone.

guinans · Nov 30, 2010

Ugh! The embarrassment. I know all about it. Look, did you steal from your employer? Did you cheat your employer? Did you lie or misrepresent yourself in any way to your employer? Did you willfully and knowingly and with bad intent harm a patient? Were you uncaring and neglectful of those is your care because you just don't give a **** anymore? Did you deliberately harm a coworker's reputaion or well being? No, it doesn't sound like you did any of those things, so what have you got to be embarrassed about? Crazy thing is the people who really do these things rarely seem embarrassed about it. When the time does come for you to move on just keep in mind that you are NOT a liar or a cheat or a thief. You are NOT a person who goes about harming your employer, your coworkers or your patients. I think some of the embarrassment comes from being singled out, and from the realization we are as vulnerable as we are. Yup, we're vulnerable, all of us. This sort of thing can and does happen to lots of good people.

rnbob · Nov 30, 2010

Sorry this happened, but, to be truthful, you did send those text messages, right? Believe me, I am not condemning you, just am saying that we do sometimes have a part in bringing about our own troubles. You would think that people would understand and be forgiving, but it so often doesn't work that way.
Your messages must have fallen wrongly on their ears, given the day and time in which we live - a time when you simply cannot say certain things without scaring people, arousing their dis-ease. Also, if you were badmouthing the boss or the company, can you really blame them for their reaction? I would not want someone working for me if he didn't think well of me and my company. Would you? Maybe you can approach your boss with this insight and offer a heartfelt apology and expression of your newfound understanding of his feelings and thoughts about whatever you texted. Even if you don't get your job back, he might end up being less angry/hurt/scared, less intent on hurting you back, which would be good if you have to use this job as a reference.
I have an acquaintance who said something in a coffee shop, was reported to the police for saying a certain word. In America, yes. Another friend was reported to be getting ready to rob a bank when his big, beaten-up vehicle wouldn't start and he happened to be wearing sunglasses and a camoflauge coat! he was waiting for the roadside assistance folk to show up when the police arrived, demanded ID, questioned him, checked for wants and warrants, while keeping continuous watch over him, not letting him leave. Come to think of it, maybe it was the same woman who reported them both, since the location of both events was at/just outside that coffee shop. The second example just shows the high level of suspicion that people have these days and their stereotypes, but the first troubles me because it involved speech. We are so trained to be politically correct, we have to be so careful to protect our images and reputations.
I hope you wind up in a better situation real soon, Dude.

Thank you for your honesty.......and you are right, when I started to lose respect for my boss, I should have acted like an adult and quit instead of being underhanded and complaining behind (and in front of) his face. You can bet I will learn my lesson and move on from here.

I do hope I get the opportunity to apologize, but need to consult my attorney before doing so.

Thanks Again-you really opened my eyes :)

Leelee2 · Nov 30, 2010

Dear Nocturne,

Those who you let anger/hurt you, conquer you. Take charge, do not let them affect your emotional health!! Enjoy your Christmas, and you have been proactive with applying for many new positions, things will work out in your favor in the end. Time to forgive and let go.

gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN · Nov 30, 2010

Welcome to my world! The only thing that saved my butt was the fact that the CNAs I worked with found out what I was accused of & sent letters to the DON denying the charges. I understand that a few of them even threatened to quit if the charges weren't dropped. If I were you I'd ask the people on your shift that work with you to write letters stating they never saw you do those things and then take the letters to the nearest lawyer you can find. That is Deflamation of Character, Slander & loss of income.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2010

Unbelievable, I thought I was the only one, called in HR and fired on the spot for being threatening and dangerous for patients and staff, escorted out by security, when I filed my appeal security met me at the hospital entrance and wouldn't allow me in.
A coworker I thought was a friend showed my boss some text messages I sent, even though they were obviously tongue in cheek, they pretended that they were just part of my dangerous and explosive behavior. This thing had to involve 3or 4 people I liked and worked with everyday. Its been 2 weeks since I appealed and I haven't heard a word. Meanwhile I have to worry about losing my nursing license.
And there is not a word of truth in the whole complaint, No specific incident etc.
I can't believe how people can turn on each other, I know everyone wanted more overtime, some were afraid I would take some of their "charge" shifts, I am just speechless. I am glad to know I am not the only one- when I tell people what happened to me, I always feel like they don't believe me. My own wife still thinks its my fault for bringing this on myself. I thought the hospital would investigate and exonerate me, but my lawyer really gives me little hope of clearing my name.
I am just shocked.

This is a real cautionary tale. Texts, emails, social networking, internet forums, anything that can be attributed to you can (and will) float out there forever and can bite you in the bum at any time. ESPECIALLY text messages because they can be used out of context and the inflection is so hard to show.

Good luck! I hope the texts weren't too incriminating sounding...

NocturneNrse · Dec 1, 2010

I don't want to even suggest any of my former coworkers put their jobs in jeopardy in trying to help my "case". Unless they can be protected somehow - and honestly... these people don't seem to be too ethical.

It will work out. No more dreading morning reports anymore. I can wake up and breathe a deep cleansing breath.. not deal w/their negativity and harassment.

Things are definitely going to work out.