DON fired during state survey

Specialties LTC Directors

Published

I got the boot during state survey, not after, in the middle of it all. It came as such a shock that when

I got called in and was told I was terminated, I asked to resign,. Did I do the right thing. Now I cant collect unemployment. The situation

is not a difficult one, they just didnt think I was " right for the position". I didnt see it coming and under stress, asked if I could resign first before they fired me. What the heck now? Any good advice. Stressed......

Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU, Psych, Med-surg...etc....

I am sorry this happened to you. It sounds as though they felt that if they fired you they could use you as a reason for a bad survey. I have seen it happen before. Blame it all on the DON. Unfornatuate and unfair. A couple of things though I would like to respond to. Surveyors are not allowed to put hands on a resident. If a situation occurs such as a fall they are not allowed to interfere or intervene. It has to do with the job description and legal issues. If a surveyor pours water on a resident that is abuse and should be reported.

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Specializes in Med surg, LTC, Administration.
Im done with management, forever! Not worth the stress, not to mention having your license on the line at any given moment. Even if you do the best that you can, know the rules and regs, have excellant staff. There is always someone willing to step in and take it all away. No wonder that place has has 4 DONs in the last year. I guess they fire them every quarter. I was told that if we didnt make our bonus, that someone would be fired. And they wanted me to do all of the marketing. Its not my fault that our census wasnt what it should have been. Eveyone has to market. Hey, at 3:00pm, guess where every department manager was? In their cars going home. While I stayed at the bldg until 7:00

helping out in the dining room. Now theres thanks for ya.

As far as state surveyors go, dont care if I ever see another one. While they were in our bldg, one dumped her coke in my lap, didnt even appologize while I was getting up to get paper towels, they all just sat there and stared at me. One just stood there with hand on hips while watching a resident fall. Did not make a move to assist me at all. No one else around.

Luckily I got help. Im sure theyre not all this way, but from what Ive seen on the boards here, most of them think they hang the moon. Ive heard stories of them dumping water in residents beds, just to make someone do pericare, and tagging a facility for not having shaved a womens legs. Whatever! I guess if they cant find it, that make it happen.

Yes, Iam finally mad. Having been forced into resigning from a job that I had no intention of leaving. Now I cant even draw unemployment? In my area, nursing jobs are scarce, most nurses I know are working 2 jobs just to make ends meet. I did make an appointment to see an attorney on Monday, just to know where I stand on getting some assistance until I can get another job. They were going to fire me , but I was forced into resigning.

Oh, you are the dining room DON. I remember reading that thread and feeling they were trying to get rid of you. They were so disrespectful to you at THAT time...listen, DON and all managers, need very thick skin and have to know how to stickup for themselves.

The business is brutal. When they start demoting your duties (dining room) it is time to look for a new job. It never comes out of the blue, it is a gradual process. Be glad you are gone and yes, file for unemployment. They will give you a hearing. Tell them what you told us and I am sure they will rule in your favor. Good luck. Peace!

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Specializes in ICU, ER, MS, REHAB, HOSP ICE, LTC DON.

No, I did not know that there were 4 other DONs before me, until the 2nd week I was there. Word just came out. Fom the residents mouths; some of them welcomed me with" I dont want to get to know you too well, because they always fire someone every 2-3 months. Huge red flag! But there I was right in the middle of it. trying to keep a positive attitude that maybe I could make a change. I guess everyone thinks like this, and they should. I would never run away at that moment and throw my hands up.

As far as forced resignation. I say that because of the way it was put across to me. Read all of the text, when they told me to "hurry up and write my letter" then just dissapeared on me. I asked for an exit interview and never got one. They told me they had nothing more to say. Am I missing something here, shouldnt I be entitled to one whether they fired me or I resigned?

As for my 2 cents, and maybe no one else thinks this way, I'm tired of having corporations treat nurses as their "judas goat" as one put it...Kudos! Its time that we as professionals take a stand against the way they treat us in order to line their pockets. Dont you ever get tired of hearing "your just another warm body"? Nurses stand up and be heard.

If we cannot stand up for ourselves, then it will only get worse. This time, I refuse to just walk away and dissapear into the background. I worked hard, as everyone else has to get an education to help others. The patients are the ones who are suffering. I would hate to be a resident in a LTC facility where I never felt secure about who was taking care of me, and when the next one would take over. The residents truly loved me, one was crying as I was leaving. Now that hurts me to the very core of my soul. Who else other than the nurses are being used here?

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Specializes in Med surg, LTC, Administration.
No, I did not know that there were 4 other DONs before me, until the 2nd week I was there. Word just came out. Fom the residents mouths; some of them welcomed me with" I dont want to get to know you too well, because they always fire someone every 2-3 months. Huge red flag! But there I was right in the middle of it. trying to keep a positive attitude that maybe I could make a change. I guess everyone thinks like this, and they should. I would never run away at that moment and throw my hands up.

As far as forced resignation. I say that because of the way it was put across to me. Read all of the text, when they told me to "hurry up and write my letter" then just dissapeared on me. I asked for an exit interview and never got one. They told me they had nothing more to say. Am I missing something here, shouldnt I be entitled to one whether they fired me or I resigned?

As for my 2 cents, and maybe no one else thinks this way, I'm tired of having corporations treat nurses as their "judas goat" as one put it...Kudos! Its time that we as professionals take a stand against the way they treat us in order to line their pockets. Dont you ever get tired of hearing "your just another warm body"? Nurses stand up and be heard.

If we cannot stand up for ourselves, then it will only get worse. This time, I refuse to just walk away and dissapear into the background. I worked hard, as everyone else has to get an education to help others. The patients are the ones who are suffering. I would hate to be a resident in a LTC facility where I never felt secure about who was taking care of me, and when the next one would take over. The residents truly loved me, one was crying as I was leaving. Now that hurts me to the very core of my soul. Who else other than the nurses are being used here?

I wrote those very words this morning. We need to stand up and speak out. I too am sick of it. If there is anything I can do to help, let me know. I can and will. Right now, I am helping another DON, who just got fired five minutes after an almost perfect survey. They are playing with peoples lives...

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I have witnessed so many DON's getting fired after state surveys. It seems to be that way all the time in both assisted living and LTC facilities.:crying2:

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Believe you'll be eligible for UC benefits. You were beyond the 90-day probationary period and were coerced into quitting. This was not a voluntary resignation.

Be happy you're out of there. Continue to learn.

Good luck in your next position!

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Specializes in ICU, ER, MS, REHAB, HOSP ICE, LTC DON.

:heartbeatConstructive Discharge/Forced To Resign http://www.eeoc.gov

Discriminatory practices under the laws EEOC enforces also include constructive discharge or forcing an employee to resign by making the work environment so intolerable a reasonable person would not be able to stay.

After talking to my lawyer, he told me that I would be eligible for benefits. There is such a thing as forced resignation. Glad I got it all down in writing.

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Specializes in ER/ MEDICAL ICU / CCU/OB-GYN /CORRECTION.

"Now that hurts me to the very core of my soul."

I just wanted to tell you how very sorry I am that this happened to you. I hope you get unemployment and a better position soon. Your in my thoughts.

Marc

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Specializes in ICU, ER, MS, REHAB, HOSP ICE, LTC DON.

Thank you Marc, your words are kind. Dont think I'll ever be eligible for another DON position though.

Thats what makes me so sad, I know I shouldnt, but this is what I defined myself by. I worked hard to get to that level. But if starting at the bottom is where Iam at, then so be it. Im still a nurse. I have dreams that they will call me and ask me to take my position back, but I know that will never happen. Still, I'm saddened.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
Thank you Marc, your words are kind. Dont think I'll ever be eligible for another DON position though.

Thats what makes me so sad, I know I shouldnt, but this is what I defined myself by. I worked hard to get to that level. But if starting at the bottom is where Iam at, then so be it. Im still a nurse. I have dreams that they will call me and ask me to take my position back, but I know that will never happen. Still, I'm saddened.

Oh, I think your counting yourself out of the game much to quick. If this is what you really want then go for it. In your shoes, I would give it a little time, reflect on what you did right, reflect on where improvements could be made and then eventually apply around and see what happens.

Unfortunately, it's the nature of the beast that DON's are easily removed from a position and I think the industry just expects this to be the case. When you interview for another DON spot, you just need to sell yourself as to how to improve upon your past and what you plan to do differently the next time.

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Specializes in Med surg, LTC, Administration.
Thank you Marc, your words are kind. Dont think I'll ever be eligible for another DON position though.

Thats what makes me so sad, I know I shouldnt, but this is what I defined myself by. I worked hard to get to that level. But if starting at the bottom is where Iam at, then so be it. Im still a nurse. I have dreams that they will call me and ask me to take my position back, but I know that will never happen. Still, I'm saddened.

You are not ineligible, not unless you make yourself so. This is the life of the DON, being escorted to their car, with a box of pictures and things. Don's are recycled in certain areas and become a close knit circle. Same with ED's. Get to know others and network. You will start hearing of opportunities. EDs you meet, may offer you a position or at worst, you may be offered an ADON, to get you on your feet. Every DON I know, has been fired or forced res. at one time or another. Give yourself another two weeks to grieve, then get to getting. If you really want to stay a DON, you can and will. Peace!

Ps- don't forget head hunters. Let them do some leg work for ya.

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I once worked with a DON who has just been forced to resign from her then current job. She came to our facility and was one of the best if not the best DON we had until her untimely death. Let me just remind you, one man's trash is another man's treasure. Your future is already looking brighter!!!

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