Resignation not going well. Advice?

[imalilteapott]

I never thought I would be in such a sticky situation and posting about it but here goes-

I am a critical care nurse with 5ish years experience. CCRN, involved in AACN, lots of committees, awards, and nice things on my resume. I'm pretty passionate about nursing. I like my job overall. No spots on my record. Even back from when I was a CNA in nursing school, Ive never been pulled into the office or written up (some of this I know is just luck too because no one is perfect).

6 months ago, I left my job of 4 years in the ICU to move to a similar job in a different ICU where I was promised a better schedule, more vacation, more $$, and a promotion. Not one of these promises were fulfilled. I was never promoted as promised. No one is allowed to take vacation, and scheduling is a mess. This made me miserable, but trying to be loyal and professional I was going to stick out a year.

Well since then, I have had some family and health changes happen. I needed to drop my hours. I asked to be part time. I was told yes.....then at the last minute I was told no and was placed on the next schedule with a full-time schedule filled with all weekends and mondays/fridays. I then nicely replied, I could not work those hours, and again said I needed to cut my hours. I received no reply. I tried to work it out with HR and they sent me back to management. I knew I would be calling in a lot if my hours couldn't be dropped. So I decided to resign giving a full 2 weeks notice (after my original 3 weeks notice to go part-time).

Today- a few days before my last day- some of the management starting saying things to me such as "If you go through with this resignation your career will be ruined, your throwing your life away." and " You will never be hired in this system again." and " Your a disappointment, if you want to stay home and not have a career, then I cant stop you, but I thought you were ambitious, this will really ruin your career." and the finally one " We think you are just quitting to take vacation."

I don't know what to do. I feel very uncomfortable going back for my last few days. I do have many doctors notes covering all call-ins prior to quitting. I checked and I dont have unscheduled abscences over the allowed (but I am at my limit which is why I wanted to drop hours/resign) and Ive never been tardy. I just feel very threatened over nothing. I have always had a good reputation and now I feel like its ruined. My old job of 4 years has welcomed me back with open arms but I hate to burn bridges. Anyway out of this? Should I go to HR? Run away?? What would you do?

[SuzieVN]

If staff leaves in a at-will- state its really none of there business why.

Spot ON- it should not even be allowed to be asked 'reason for leaving'.

[ILoveSpring&Fall]

Make sure you document everything (the harassment, etc.) and submit a copy to HR. Cover your behind. PS: in the future, if you need to switch departments, be sure to get your "promises" in writing before you actually make any moves. Good luck & don't let it stress you!

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

I am not suprised by this at all. I would just finish out 2 weeks if able, if I really couldn't handle it and knew my old job would take me back I might just quit. If they are going to treat you that way and you will be on do not rehire than might as well quit now if you want

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

And if the manager wants to talk to you tell her you will gladly talk to her in front of a witness from HR.

Try to stick it out, especially if they do a payout of unused sick or vacation time. Where I work they can withhold that time earned if you quit before your two weeks. If that isn't the case, I'd leave and schedule an exit interview with HR.

[salvadordolly]

i agree with marshall 1. I've been in these situations and they're ugly. if the culture is what you say, they will try to burn you if you finish out your time. They will write you up for a million things. when I was in this situation, they made up an outlandish story and reported me to the board, so I couldn't get my old job back until it was resolved. Be careful! Do you work for an HCA hospital? When I lived in Denver, they owned half the hospitals there and would say the exact words you described to everyone who tried to quit.

[Tait, MSN, RN]

Thank you everyone. I have to admit it is going to be difficult to try and finish my last days. Before all of this drama I was pretty miserable at a baseline and thought I made a mistake by leaving my old job. I don't think I am going to be able to do it. I spoke to my sister in law- who is a lawyer and she said I should go to HR and hint that I had legal consul and just let them know what is happening on this floor, and tell them I felt threatened and I do not feel comfortable finishing work on that floor. I do think that is what I am going to do. I should also add that some of my health trouble is that Im pregnant- so she said that I should repeat some of sexist things that were said to me like when my boss stated "If you want to just stay at home I can't stop you."

I feel like no nurse should be treated this way. I understand it stinks for a hospital when staff leaves after a short time but they shouldn't have this reaction. The working conditions were poor as I said- the staff educator is a bully, poor scheduling, no vacation, ridiculous work rules.... they made no attempt to fix them. If staff leaves in a at-will- state its really none of there business why. I have a feeling I am on the do not re-hire list anyway for leaving at 6 months. So I may as well let the hospital know what their management is doing and saying so at least other nurses may not have to deal with it in the future.

I had a feeling there was a pregnancy issue here. I know, despite having a great manager and co-workers, I felt a draft of coolness when I decided not to come back to work after Emma was born. I am still at home and will be probably until next year when Elliott (due May 5th) is about a year old. While there are definitely some days where I kinda look around and go "hmm was this the best choice?" most of the time I am so thankful to be home with my children watching them grow.

I am thinking you may have some recourse if they choose to put you on some kind of no-rehire list because of discrimination against your pregnancy, however that is sort of legal advice and I really don't know.

Best of luck,

Tait

[Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM]

1. Finish your hours and DO NOT call in anymore.

2. Understand that HR cares about the facility, not about you.

3. You have your old job back, that is all that matters.

4. They are creating a hostile work environment and the next time some management makes a comment like that, I would say something like, "That really sounds like a threat, I just want to be sure we are on the same page and are communicating clearly."

I bet it will be the last time they say it.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

You're already out of it. Got a new gig and everything. Keep going.

With respect to the predictions of doom from HR, it is total BS. The HR/management drones giving you the apocalyptic scenario are going to quit or get fired eventually - and in that environment sooner than later.

The employment pendulum is going swing the other way again and the new HR/management drones will be hiring recruiting agencies who will be ringing your phone off the hook. At which time you may politely tell them to perform impossible anatomical feats with their pleas.

It is a huge game and the people playing don't understand they are rats in a big maze with no comprehension of how small their lives and existences are.

^This!!! ESPECIALLY your last paragraph...pick and choose your battles OP...go back to old job with lessons learned and enjoy your career!

No one, and I do mean NO ONE should NEVER have that power to make you unhappy at your job, especially even when you are leaving...if they care too much and want to make one unhappy, that says A TON about them. Also, NEVER, and I do mean NEVER forget to advocate for yourself, even it means leaving a job that makes you feel as though you are on "Shutter Island"!!!

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Spot ON- it should not even be allowed to be asked 'reason for leaving'.

^This!! If I'm "at will", I can leave when I'm "at will"..and I have...and still found absolutely great jobs.