retaliation or just coincidence?

[mtnmom]

I will try to be brief here, but there is a lot to tell so bear with me.

Since March I have been prn status for M/S and ER averaging 2 days a week at a very small and struggling rural hospital in a neighboring county. I was hired prn with the understanding that I would be a day shift employee, and would be willing to perhaps fill in an OCCASIONAL night if it worked with the rest of my schedule. (I am also in a MSN program for what it is worth).

In early May the manager contacted me and asked me if I would do a few nights to help fill a hole from a recent resignation until someone new could be oriented. Since the semester was over, I agreed to a total of 4 nights - 3 one week and one the next, with the understanding that this was a temporary thing only and I could not do regular nights. Those nights I did and a couple of them were pretty hairy but nothing horrible.

This hospital has come under new ownership as of 8/05, and is struggling as mentioned before. Supplies are at a bare minimum with even tape being rationed. I have been alarmed to find that there were no needleless syringe equip. available on a regular basis even though our tubing had the ports to accomodate needleless devices; and our sharps containers just have a big hole at the top that a small wrist could fit through. there is also not a post-exposure program in place. Get the picture? I did and I filed an anonymous complaint with OSHA for occupational hazard. They were very interested and were to immediately investigate.

Fast forward and I haven't worked there in 3 weeks. I was called with a looong list of nightshifts wanting to know if I could work, and when I replied back to my managers' voicemail telling him politely that I could not work any nights but please let me know any days available, haven't heard a peep since. Not even a call back to say "I just dont have any day shifts available" etc. It doesn't make sense for a facility that is chronically understaffed especially with RNs. I have been able so far to make up the time with other work but am having to scramble to do so. For a month and a half I was guranteed the two days a week at this place. There are no problems or incidents with my performance - so why have I been dropped like a lead weight?

I can't help but wonder if they found out I made the OSHA complaint, and even though there is supposedly whistleblower protection, how could I prove anything? I am still an active employee...as a matter of fact am still receiving regular pay stubs with nothing as the amount.

I really would like to hear some opinions on this. I wasn't trying to make trouble for anyone, just have a safer work environment.

[Keysnurse2008]

i will try to be brief here, but there is a lot to tell so bear with me.

since march i have been prn status for m/s and er averaging 2 days a week at a very small and struggling rural hospital in a neighboring county. i was hired prn with the understanding that i would be a day shift employee, and would be willing to perhaps fill in an occasional night if it worked with the rest of my schedule. (i am also in a msn program for what it is worth).

in early may the manager contacted me and asked me if i would do a few nights to help fill a hole from a recent resignation until someone new could be oriented. since the semester was over, i agreed to a total of 4 nights - 3 one week and one the next, with the understanding that this was a temporary thing only and i could not do regular nights. those nights i did and a couple of them were pretty hairy but nothing horrible.

this hospital has come under new ownership as of 8/05, and is struggling as mentioned before. supplies are at a bare minimum with even tape being rationed. i have been alarmed to find that there were no needleless syringe equip. available on a regular basis even though our tubing had the ports to accomodate needleless devices; and our sharps containers just have a big hole at the top that a small wrist could fit through. there is also not a post-exposure program in place. get the picture? i did and i filed an anonymous complaint with osha for occupational hazard. they were very interested and were to immediately investigate.

fast forward and i haven't worked there in 3 weeks. i was called with a looong list of nightshifts wanting to know if i could work, and when i replied back to my managers' voicemail telling him politely that i could not work any nights but please let me know any days available, haven't heard a peep since. not even a call back to say "i just dont have any day shifts available" etc. it doesn't make sense for a facility that is chronically understaffed especially with rns. i have been able so far to make up the time with other work but am having to scramble to do so. for a month and a half i was guranteed the two days a week at this place. there are no problems or incidents with my performance - so why have i been dropped like a lead weight?

i can't help but wonder if they found out i made the osha complaint, and even though there is supposedly whistleblower protection, how could i prove anything? i am still an active employee...as a matter of fact am still receiving regular pay stubs with nothing as the amount.

i really would like to hear some opinions on this. i wasn't trying to make trouble for anyone, just have a safer work environment.

hmm...well they did offer you shifts it just wasnt what you wanted.that is what happens when you try to help facilities out by working unusual shifts...they sometimes start to "expect"...you to always do it.on the other side of the coin .....if that facility had a hint you reported chances are they may not call you back.you did as your nurse practice act demanded and you have to be "ok" with that. you did your legal obligation. i read somewhere in this post where someone tried to basically shame this poster bc they reported...and all i have to say to that is....."we all work in healthcare and when we function and report as the law demands we do (nurse practice act)...then yes we are making a difference to improve the work environment and also the safety of patients."

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I am so glad everything worked out for you, but I hate that you had to worry.

As an aside, considering the turns this thread took, and not naming names, is it possible to "block" certain members from posting? Just a thought for future posts that head this way.

Again, glad things are better now!

[caliotter3]

I was glad to read of the positive outcome for the OP. Wanted to comment that the only way that it could be retaliation would be if the employer found out for certain who the complainant was. I would rather think that it was more likely that any lack of calls coincided with the unwillingness to work night shift or a work slowdown. At any rate, when one does not receive calls, it is a good idea to call and ask about it and remind them that you still exist and are available for work.

[MA Nurse]

I will try to be brief here, but there is a lot to tell so bear with me.

Since March I have been prn status for M/S and ER averaging 2 days a week at a very small and struggling rural hospital in a neighboring county. I was hired prn with the understanding that I would be a day shift employee, and would be willing to perhaps fill in an OCCASIONAL night if it worked with the rest of my schedule. (I am also in a MSN program for what it is worth).

In early May the manager contacted me and asked me if I would do a few nights to help fill a hole from a recent resignation until someone new could be oriented. Since the semester was over, I agreed to a total of 4 nights - 3 one week and one the next, with the understanding that this was a temporary thing only and I could not do regular nights. Those nights I did and a couple of them were pretty hairy but nothing horrible.

This hospital has come under new ownership as of 8/05, and is struggling as mentioned before. Supplies are at a bare minimum with even tape being rationed. I have been alarmed to find that there were no needleless syringe equip. available on a regular basis even though our tubing had the ports to accomodate needleless devices; and our sharps containers just have a big hole at the top that a small wrist could fit through. there is also not a post-exposure program in place. Get the picture? I did and I filed an anonymous complaint with OSHA for occupational hazard. They were very interested and were to immediately investigate.

Fast forward and I haven't worked there in 3 weeks. I was called with a looong list of nightshifts wanting to know if I could work, and when I replied back to my managers' voicemail telling him politely that I could not work any nights but please let me know any days available, haven't heard a peep since. Not even a call back to say "I just dont have any day shifts available" etc. It doesn't make sense for a facility that is chronically understaffed especially with RNs. I have been able so far to make up the time with other work but am having to scramble to do so. For a month and a half I was guranteed the two days a week at this place. There are no problems or incidents with my performance - so why have I been dropped like a lead weight?

I can't help but wonder if they found out I made the OSHA complaint, and even though there is supposedly whistleblower protection, how could I prove anything? I am still an active employee...as a matter of fact am still receiving regular pay stubs with nothing as the amount.

I really would like to hear some opinions on this. I wasn't trying to make trouble for anyone, just have a safer work environment.

It sounds like they just need more nurses on nights instead of days, which is usually the case. You should bring up your contract and what you were hired for in the first place and see what happens.

[advocateforsafety]

Seems to me they offered you some shifts and it was not what you wanted. Who knows why maybe they found someone who could work more hours than you maybe they hired an agency nurse to fill the voids. Why I can't understand is you turn in this hospital and then expect them to keep offering you shifts, if I was the manager and found out you complained about my facility I wouldn't offer you any shifts as well. You rebel against the establishment and when the establishment rebels back you are now crying foul.

You can't be for real. If you are a nurse, I think you really need a class in ethics to help you understand the meening of advocate. Your Nurses license states that one of your primary responsibilities is to ensure the safe care of your patient. This includes a safe place for the delivery of care.