Over 20 years at the hospital, left and not even a "thank you"????????

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello all,

I've been lurking around for quite a while, and I had a discussion with a fellow nurse yesterday that has just set my blood boiling and my blood pressure near the stroke zone.

I am employed as an RN in a Magnet Hospital and have been there for over 17 years. In the last year we have lost many of our long term fellow nurses to retirement, disability, and job changes. On my own unit, one nurse who was employed for over 25 years went back to school and now works as an APN. Another nurse left to get a job a little closer to home, she had been employed here for over 20 years.

I had lunch with "Peggy", the 20 year nurse, who told me that the only thing she was told the day she left was to "return your badge and locator, and... don't forget to do your exit survey". She told me she cried every day for 2 weeks because she didn't even feel that ANY of her years were considered valuable by any of the management. Now, she's just ANGRY.

So I called "Kerry", the 25 year APN nurse, and asked her. She basically said the same thing. No one said "thank you for all your years of service". She feels like she came from a hospital devoid of caring managers. She was a great staff nurse, nurse educator, clinical specialist, assistant head nurse, clinic nurse in her time there, and never had any discipline problems. In addition she was "Nurse of the Quarter" on our unit so its not like she was just a warm body or anything. She (as well as Peggy) were respected by their peers, physicians, and patients in our community.

Maybe I am too emotional over this, but... I feel like I have a few feathers in my cap, but just CANNOT understand why these 2 valuable, talented women were allowed to leave without some sort of tribute to their many years of service from management! We hear all about the Press Gainey Scores and now our raises are tied to our Patient Satisfaction scores. The questions that are asked on our Satisfaction surveys don't address issues like this.

I want to address this with our CEN. I am sure she isn't aware of it.

Do you think I am crazy or overly emotional about this? I am just thinking about how I would feel if I left in a month with my 17 years of service there and all they said was "dont forget to give us your badge at the end of the day". Gee even a little ice cream and cake would be nice...

Any hints on what I can say when I meet with our CEN?

And if any of you are in upper management positions, you might want to ask your managers on Monday who has left with quite a bit of time spent there, and were they recognized by the management for all their valuable contributions to your organization?

Geez... and they are a Magnet Hospital on top of it all!!!:angryfire :angryfire

Hi, I did not read the other posts but read the first one by the OP..Now I think the hospital did not give a thank you is because the nurses decided to leave for better opportunties..

Specializes in Cardiovascular/Radiologic imaging.

After working 23.7 years ( their calculation) , I recieved very similar treatment from management. In leaving I was no longer of importance. To their credit the HR personel were very curious and offered a meeting and/or an immiediate transfer to another area or hospital. They really seemed unwilling to let me leave without trying some other avenue. Unfortunately hospitals are no longer friendly places for nurses. We are in constant conflict with our nursing duty and our exspected employee behaviors. Is there an answer ? I don't know it is very sad for me.

Specializes in med-surg, home health, hospice, LTC.

Gee, and I thought it was only because we had a b---- for a HR Director, but when I left a (am I allowed to say CHI?) hospital after 20 yrs and 3 months, after giving a full 4 week notice, I was told I was not eligible for a 20 year award, since I was leaving before the month they held the "employee recognition banquet". I did tell the HR Director that I guessed they only cared to reward loyalty as long as everyone got to SEE the hospital give the awards. (probably burnt a bridge there, but now she is gone too!:lol2: )

I also worked for a magnet hospital. I worked for over 30 yrs as a bedside RN. 20 yrs in L&D. Got many different awards over those years. Never had a bad evaluation. I did not choose to leave, the hospital closed the outpt unit I worked in. I attempted to get another position but when I did there were excuses for why I did not fit in there.

No one in the hospital wanted an RN that came at the cost that I did. They didn't say that but it became obvious that I did notfit in any of the units budgets. (I get 5 wks vacation time, ect)My experiance apparently is a deterent.

It is so sad but the fact is that hospitals are corporations and it is not patient care that is the primary goal but profit. I unfortunatly have become to expensive.

No I did not get any goodby's or sorry you are leaving they just quietly pushed me out the door.

The scarry thing is that I thought no problem I'm an RN I can get a job anywhere there is a shortage.

WRONG. I have applied for several positions. Some have not even replied, other tell me sorry you don't meet the requirements.

I live in a city with at least 4 major hospitals and several branches. I am in shock right now. I just don't get what is happening. I've always loved nursing and can't imagine another career.

My advise to any older RN's don't let your job get away from you because for us there is not a shortage and experiance in the hospital enviorment is no longer valued.

Everytime God closes one door he opens another. Seek and you shall find.

Specializes in gerontology.

I am so glad I have a chance to go back to school for something else besides nursing. My mom is a nurse and I respect experienced nurses so much it bothers me to see you folks not getting the credit and the respect you deserve. You folks put in more than just the required effort for years. You deserve better. If cop and firefighters get gold watches when they move on, I think you guys deserve something similar or more.

we usually collect money for a gift, go to a hall, hire a dj ,enjoy a good meal with all that want to come--have had some pretty good parties, "roasts" and dancing--i have been to some where the DON comes and gives a certificate of "meritorious service" etc from director and gives a speech--each party tries to outdo the last one , so they are really something else !!! can't wait for the one next month !!!!!!

Being a good experienced nurse and a good employee are not mutually beneficial. Experience is now thought of as much of a burden as a asset.

You are too attached to your jobs. I have been in the business side for 20 years. Trust me, no one gives a dam^. Look out for your self. Yes, do your best for your patients but never put your entire soul and being into a corporation. My husband did and had a massive heart attack after his unit closed down. He had put his entire life into his job. NEVER I REPEAT, NEVER do this. You will be old and used up if you do not. As one of my coworkers said to me (and she is a genious) just let the sh*t slide off you. You did your best and if they don't like it, let them do it themselves! Sorry, but corporate America has made me very jaded, and if you ever met me you would think I was the eternal optimist!

Hello all,

I've been lurking around for quite a while, and I had a discussion with a fellow nurse yesterday that has just set my blood boiling and my blood pressure near the stroke zone.

I am employed as an RN in a Magnet Hospital and have been there for over 17 years. In the last year we have lost many of our long term fellow nurses to retirement, disability, and job changes. On my own unit, one nurse who was employed for over 25 years went back to school and now works as an APN. Another nurse left to get a job a little closer to home, she had been employed here for over 20 years.

I had lunch with "Peggy", the 20 year nurse, who told me that the only thing she was told the day she left was to "return your badge and locator, and... don't forget to do your exit survey". She told me she cried every day for 2 weeks because she didn't even feel that ANY of her years were considered valuable by any of the management. Now, she's just ANGRY.

So I called "Kerry", the 25 year APN nurse, and asked her. She basically said the same thing. No one said "thank you for all your years of service". She feels like she came from a hospital devoid of caring managers. She was a great staff nurse, nurse educator, clinical specialist, assistant head nurse, clinic nurse in her time there, and never had any discipline problems. In addition she was "Nurse of the Quarter" on our unit so its not like she was just a warm body or anything. She (as well as Peggy) were respected by their peers, physicians, and patients in our community.

Maybe I am too emotional over this, but... I feel like I have a few feathers in my cap, but just CANNOT understand why these 2 valuable, talented women were allowed to leave without some sort of tribute to their many years of service from management! We hear all about the Press Gainey Scores and now our raises are tied to our Patient Satisfaction scores. The questions that are asked on our Satisfaction surveys don't address issues like this.

I want to address this with our CEN. I am sure she isn't aware of it.

Do you think I am crazy or overly emotional about this? I am just thinking about how I would feel if I left in a month with my 17 years of service there and all they said was "dont forget to give us your badge at the end of the day". Gee even a little ice cream and cake would be nice...

Any hints on what I can say when I meet with our CEN?

And if any of you are in upper management positions, you might want to ask your managers on Monday who has left with quite a bit of time spent there, and were they recognized by the management for all their valuable contributions to your organization?

Geez... and they are a Magnet Hospital on top of it all!!!:angryfire :angryfire

try this one on - my best friend who was a nurse at the nursing home i used to work at - had worked there for 25 plus yrs - her hubby became ill with cancer and she took FMLA - her hubby died 1 day prior to her FMLA running out - ( which then she should have been given 3 days funeral leave after he died ) however - the DON and administrator came to the funeral with straight faces and said take all the time you need to come back we got you covered until you are ready ( she was due to retire 4 months later) anyhow - 3 weeks after the funeral she got a letter from the administrator stating she had been fired as of the day her hubby died for not coming back to work after FMLA ran out - ( cant tell me they did not know this a week after he dies and they come kissing her butt at the funeral ) THEN they have the balls to call and ask if they can give her a retirement party ( she said WHAT? you FIRED me !!) they said they KNEW That but had told everyone she had just retired - boils down to this - she had quit a bit of vacation to use up - nearly the whole 4 months they WOULD have had to pay out had they not fired her - and i know tnhey do not have to by law hold a spot for her after FMLA however i also know by experience with it myself they CAN if they so choose allow her unpaid medical leave -they just chose to off her to save them money - sickening to say the least. bust your butt to get what - a big giant stick shoved up it?? sure makes one wonder doesn't it. we made it a point to correct the wrongful accusation she was retired and that they fired her and why to staff and family we met since then - made everyone sick how she was treated and made many of never to trust administration again.

I guess just because I am in a bad mood today, I say Also "Let the nursing Profession fall to the wayside" Just like Policemen, firefighters, teachers, we are the ones who care but the ones that get the least "RESPECT" I cared for so many yrs . It took me yrs to learn that my company did not care for me. And it was a shocking "Lesson".....

so sadly true -

try this one on - my best friend who was a nurse at the nursing home i used to work at - had worked there for 25 plus yrs - her hubby became ill with cancer and she took FMLA - her hubby died 1 day prior to her FMLA running out - ( which then she should have been given 3 days funeral leave after he died ) however - the DON and administrator came to the funeral with straight faces and said take all the time you need to come back we got you covered until you are ready ( she was due to retire 4 months later) anyhow - 3 weeks after the funeral she got a letter from the administrator stating she had been fired as of the day her hubby died for not coming back to work after FMLA ran out - ( cant tell me they did not know this a week after he dies and they come kissing her butt at the funeral ) THEN they have the balls to call and ask if they can give her a retirement party ( she said WHAT? you FIRED me !!) they said they KNEW That but had told everyone she had just retired - boils down to this - she had quit a bit of vacation to use up - nearly the whole 4 months they WOULD have had to pay out had they not fired her - and i know tnhey do not have to by law hold a spot for her after FMLA however i also know by experience with it myself they CAN if they so choose allow her unpaid medical leave -they just chose to off her to save them money - sickening to say the least. bust your butt to get what - a big giant stick shoved up it?? sure makes one wonder doesn't it. we made it a point to correct the wrongful accusation she was retired and that they fired her and why to staff and family we met since then - made everyone sick how she was treated and made many of never to trust administration again.

Oh no I do not believe this is so cut an dried. The fact they wanted here to come back for a retirement party to cover up what they had done suggest to me that she just may have a legal case here.

They are pretty stupid to even ask her to do this and then to explain why but then I have seen employers do really stupid things in reguard to firings.

I was fired from a non nursing job and applied for unemployment. The employer challenged the award of unemployment. So they were granted a hearning. Then at the hearing they were stupid enough to say "we planned to fire her on Nov 23. (the date I blew the wistle on them) but we had to build a case against her.

They explained to these fools that you don't decide to fire and then build a case and think you can get away with it. You have to have the case before you decide to fire. I collected my unemployment and I never had to open my mouth.

+ Add a Comment