Unfair discipline - what do you think ? it's long, sorry!

[erinp88]

I'm sorry if some of you have viewed this before. I posted it in the nursing advice forum earlier today. I'm hoping if I repost it here, some LPN's might understand it a little better! Thanks!

Hi! I am an LPN in a nursing home system. For the last 3 of the 4 years I have been a resource pool nurse. That means I float to 3 different facilities and work on skilled nursing and assisted living units.

I have another job through out the school year months - August-June and do this very part time. However, I used to do it full time and was very "on top" of my game. This summer I asked my boss for some "reorientation" dates on a couple of the units. I wanted to make sure I was up to date with new paperwork requirements and daily routines on some of the units. Due to staffing needs, I haven't been able to receive them and have been scheduled to work.

Yesterday I had what I thought was a good day at work until the unit manager came up and said she needed to see me. I knew then that I was in trouble for screwing up my break time. This facility/unit is known for having multiple disciplinary action and termination of employees, so you have to be extra careful when you work there.

I was working alongside with 2 nurses. One of which I had never met before and was obviously stressed the minute I walked in the door. She took know interest in introducing herself or making conversation with me. She was upset and stressed about her upcoming day basically. She was to receive 2 admissions (another nurse came in special to do them) and was obviously unhappy working there. I overheard make several comments such as "I can't wait until I don't have to work here anymore, this place is terrible etc.." I also overheard her reporting other nurses to the managers through out the day on things that hadn't been done properly - or to her standards. I knew I needed to be careful with her.

I had spent the day administering medications and helping CENA's when I had the moment. However, during meal time, I had some residents that required extra attention (crawling out of bed....pain...etc). I probably didn't help out in the dining room as much as they would've liked me to. Either way, I ended up in there at the end and helped clean up. After breakfast, one of the "stressed out nurses" patients had a vasal vagal response. I then spent almost a half hour toileting and laying her resident down. I was afraid to even tell this nurse because she was so on edge and unapproachable.

After that, I took 5 minutes to eat a snack and return to my duties. Prior to lunch, one of my CENA's was having difficulty getting her resident up. I went ahead and did that for her. That put me behind on administering 11-12pm meds. I had to take time to do them because it included insulin administration and Lactaid. (state was there too!) Of course it decreased the amount of time I was available in the dining room.

Shortly after this, the stressed out nurse informed me of my breaktime. Somehow, I misinterpeted it into being 12pm.

I didn't even leave the floor until 12:10 pm. As I was warming up my food, no one from the other floors were coming down and I started wondering if I left too early. I pretty much ate a few bites and returned at 12:25. I referred to the break sheet and realized that I wasn't supposed to leave until 12:30. Those break times are written in by the nurses themselves. I felt terrible! I immediately apologized to the nurse I could get along with and she said, "Oh it's fine, I'm going to go now."

At the end of the day, I was written up for "Neglect of residents and not fulfilling job requirements." They said I didn't help enough of the dining room and that I should have been more aware of the break schedule. I refused to sign it and informed the managers of the nurse and the conditions I had been dealing with all day from her. I was over apologetic again about screwing up my break time and took complete blame for that. Now, I'm wondering if this nurse told me the wrong time because I remember now that she did not tell me 12:30. I also found out that the normal staff nurse there takes her break at 12:15-1pm. The managers wondered why I hadn't told them about the "stressed out" nurse earlier in the day. I felt that I only had to work with her one day, 8 hrs of my life, and then I could go home. Compared on the global problems going on, this was completely minor. Not everyone is going to like me when I work (although most do) and I'm okay that.

I'm sorry this is lengthy, but I am feeling completely helpless and not sure where I am going to get a support system from. The managers kind of indicated to me that it's not a big deal since it was technically a "verbal". I don't want to be under the microscope every time I work there and then receive my 1st, 2nd and then termination.

I'm hoping I can fight this under the premises that I didn't receive the "reorientation" that I wanted. Is anyone aware of any rights regarding "unfair discipline" in the work place? I can't seem to find anything. It doesn't help there's no union either.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

The managers kind of indicated to me that it's not a big deal since it was technically a "verbal".

I doubt this write-up was a verbal warning, because they asked you to sign a piece of paper. If they requested that you sign a piece of paper, then this is something that will remain in your employment file as a record of disciplinary action.

I personally think that nurses who constantly backstab and report other nurses are disgusting human beings. However, the poor management at nursing homes allows these types of nurses to get away with this behavior while running off good employees. It is your choice to stay or leave for greener pastures, but I would feel uncomfortable having to float at a facility where this nurse will watch me like a hawk. I do not care if someone took a break that was 5 minutes longer than anticipated, but I wouldn't report them to management. If it annoyed me that terribly, I would gently speak to the person one-on-one.

[erinp88]

Exactly! It's going to remain in my personnel file! I don't work that too often, and have never had any previous problems. The only thing I did different yesterday, than any other day, is that I screwed up when I went to break!

I'm wondering why the managers didn't approach me and say something like "Hey, can you wait to do your meds and help in the dining room?" Disciplinary action is not the answer to management! Informing the staff is! Especially staff that is not there often!

Luckily, my staffing resource boss is on my side and trying to get the paperwork tore up. It still makes me uneasy to go back to that facility knowing they will be watching every move I make.

Thanks for your reply!

[caliotter3]

In further discussions about this day, you shouldn't try to use lack of the requested orientation sessions as a defense, rather insist that you were not told the correct time of the break. This entire episode shows me, an outsider, that you are not welcome at this unit, and if I were you I would be making efforts to see that you do not return there. You will only get more of the same treatment and it is not worth it.

Added thought: Petty for a written write up. A verbal warning would have been sufficient, if, there was sufficient reason for it. There wasn't sufficient reason: someone should have said something to you during the day. Still, you should get a different work situation. If not, you will be stressed out, just thinking about what's in store for you everytime you are scheduled to go back there. Working pool should not be an adverserial experience. JMO. Good luck.

[nightmare, RN]

I have been reading several threads tonight about warnings and discipline.Is this the norm in US hospitals or is this just in certain facilities? It does seem very extreme and not an environment I would feel happy working in.I do not mean that we don't have disciplines etc but no one walks around looking over their shoulders in case someone is going to report them.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I have been reading several threads tonight about warnings and discipline.Is this the norm in US hospitals or is this just in certain facilities? It does seem very extreme and not an environment I would feel happy working in.I do not mean that we don't have disciplines etc but no one walks around looking over their shoulders in case someone is going to report them.

If an employee does something that is against the written protocol in U.S. healthcare facilities, they can expect to receive some form of disciplinary action, either from the facility itself, or from outside agencies. The disciplinary action can range widely, from an informal verbal warning to loss of one's nursing license and prison time.

[erinp88]

In further discussions about this day, you shouldn't try to use lack of the requested orientation sessions as a defense, rather insist that you were not told the correct time of the break. This entire episode shows me, an outsider, that you are not welcome at this unit, and if I were you I would be making efforts to see that you do not return there. You will only get more of the same treatment and it is not worth it.

Added thought: Petty for a written write up. A verbal warning would have been sufficient, if, there was sufficient reason for it. There wasn't sufficient reason: someone should have said something to you during the day. Still, you should get a different work situation. If not, you will be stressed out, just thinking about what's in store for you everytime you are scheduled to go back there. Working pool should not be an adverserial experience. JMO. Good luck.

They document and write up their "verbal warnings." This unit and facility is notorious for writing people up. My pool boss is speaking with HR to try and get mine tore up. I'm not sure that it will work. The only personal attack I feel is from the fellow staff nurse I was working with. What I don't understand, is that if they wanted me in the dining room more than what I was, they could've just verbalized it to me. Instead they waited all day and then accused me of not helping. After the two unit managers gave me my write up, I informed them of the behavior of this other staff nurse. They openly admitted that she doesn't deal well with stress and asked for me to write down my interactions with her. They told me I should have come to them earlier in the day with that problem. I shook my head. With all the "extra important" things they have going on, why should they be worrying about things like that.

Luckily this is a very part time job for me. I have a great job during the school year with my school district. I'm also working towards my RN so I can have some more options. I am taking this very personal because I feel that being accused of neglect is pretty harsh words.

Thanks for your input and advice. Greatly appreciated!

[rdop5388]

Your a nurse. And don't have to work there. The first thing that I would do it find another job. Good Luck. And you won't have a problem finding a job.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

It hurts to be accused of neglect, particularly when it isn't true.

I know.

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

people get written up or warned for the most stupidest things. you made an honest mistake and it was no big deal. why that other nurse made such a mountain out of a mole hill is beyond me. i wouldn't even worry about it... an apology should of been enough.. it was no big deal.. that other nurse had to much time on her hands and should of been worried about her own work and not yours.

[JoAnnS]

i didn't even leave the floor until 12:10 pm. as i was warming up my food, no one from the other floors were coming down and i started wondering if i left too early. i pretty much ate a few bites and returned at 12:25. i referred to the break sheet and realized that i wasn't supposed to leave until 12:30. those break times are written in by the nurses themselves. i felt terrible! i immediately apologized to the nurse i could get along with and she said, "oh it's fine, i'm going to go now."

at the end of the day, i was written up for "neglect of residents and not fulfilling job requirements." they said i didn't help enough of the dining room and that i should have been more aware of the break schedule. i refused to sign it and informed the managers of the nurse and the conditions i had been dealing with all day from her. i was over apologetic again about screwing up my break time and took complete blame for that. now, i'm wondering if this nurse told me the wrong time because i remember now that she did not tell me 12:30. i also found out that the normal staff nurse there takes her break at 12:15-1pm. the managers wondered why i hadn't told them about the "stressed out" nurse earlier in the day. i felt that i only had to work with her one day, 8 hrs of my life, and then i could go home. compared on the global problems going on, this was completely minor. not everyone is going to like me when i work (although most do) and i'm okay that.

hello:

this type of behavior goes on in the banking world too. i had someone report to my vp that i didn't know what i was doing and tried to have me fired.

this is the stuff that is making nervous as i prepare for lpn school this sept.

to me, nurses are like angels. i have always wanted to be a nurse and always respected the hard job nurses have. i can not believe there are nurses out there that go of their way to be mean and vicious. shame on them. it will come back to them in some way or shape within their life. i have witnessed it in other fields of work.

you had a rough day and its a wonder you kept your cool. good for you. i wouldn't have signed that document either.

i of course, i don't have a good solution, as i am not a nurse yet.

i do wish you the best of luck in your career.

sometimes we have to pray for the "cruel and mean" person. which is a hard thing to do.

take care

joann

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

to me, nurses are like angels.

disabuse yourself of that notion fast.