Admin gave my job back to the person who left it

[paulla29]

I am so upset right now. In July, I was offered a position in MDS. Originally, I was told things (like how many days a week I would be doing, when I would have to take call, etc. ) and then, as I expected, all the "promises" started to change. I keep asking for a written job description and still do not have one. The person I took the job from (he was going to be the unit manager) had been full time, whereas I would be only two days a week because our administrator no longer wanted to pay for a full time "assistant" in there. I've been busting my rear end learning everything and have been told how well I am doing.

Today, I learn that the administator, without evening saying a word to me, offered the job back to the "old" guy because that guy decided he didn't really want to be a unit manager, and the guy is taking his job back, and he's returning FULL TIME, where I was only allowed two days.

I am feeling really screwed right now. Our administrator does this to people all the time, and there's a high turn over rate where I work. I would love to tell them I resign effective immediately, I've worked there for almost nine years and always get great yearly reviews. But, like everybody else, I have bills to pay so I can't. There's not many places hiring lpn's where I am, and I'm also going back to school now so that makes it harder to find an employer to work around a school schedule. It just makes me sick to go into work now, for fear of what I will say to the administrator.

I really want out. Is it just my emotions or do I have a right to be upset? How would you handle it? Thanks for letting me vent.

[nurz2be]

That is right up there in the "This really sucks" category. I too would be furious. I am a nursing student, not a lawyer, so I don't have any law type advice, but I have 10 lbs. of sympathy for you predicament. I would quit, but that is the type of person I am.

Screw me once, shame on you....Screw me twice, Shame on ME!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

You have a right to be upset.

Two things were very telling in your post ",........and then, as I expected, all the "promises" started to change. " and "Our administrator does this to people all the time, and there's a high turn over rate where I work."

So are you really surprised?

I would catch my breath, collect my thoughts and tell the administrator that you're very disspointed in how this has been handled. Just so that you get it off your chest. Then you can move on knowing you're going back to school. Keep you eyes focused on your education right now.

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

I agree with the "suck it up" and keep your eye on the ball advice. I agree with Tweety about politely expressing your concerns and then keep on working on moving on through education.

[rnmomtobe2010]

Tweety always says it best. You have the right to be upset. You were treated unfairly. Relax, get over it and move on. I am sure someone else would love to have you on their staff. Good luck!!

[paulla29]

Thank you for all the replies. After I've had a little time to sit and think about it, I'm most upset at myself for having let myself hope that things would turn out differently than they have for so many others.

I will let him know my feelings, professionally of course; and will bide my time until I can go elsewhere.

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

Hey, if nothing else, this type of thing looks great on a resume! - Just say what dates you did the job, you don't have to say how many days a week, etc. If asked reason for leaving just say the truth - it was given back to the person you replaced.

[HvnSntRN]

If you have a union contract, contact a union rep and find out whether you have grounds for a grievance.

The contract that our union has, for example, allows for someone to take a temporary position elsewhere, and provides them with the option of returning to their old position if the new one doesn't work out within a specific period of time.

Get to know your contract. You wouldn't participate in a sport without knowing the rules, would you? It's the same with your nursing career: know what the rules (your union contract) are, so you will know when management is trying to pull a fast one, and when they are following the terms of the contract in order to be fair to everyone.

If you approach the manager who offered you the position in a non-threatening way ("I'd really like to understand how this happened, and is there anything we can work out in the meantime so that everyone gets what they want?") you may be able to get the hours you were hoping for.

Whenever you discuss something with a manager/administrator, follow up the discussion with a memo or email so that you have at least established a paper trail. Detail your understanding of the discussion (hours per week, days worked, shifts, duration of the term, job description) and ask for clarification in the event that there is a misunderstanding.

Keep copies of everything in a file so you can access them if needed. Documentation is the key to everything in nursing.

[ebear, BSN, RN]

I would simply say that I worked there for 9 years (shows commitment to your job). No need to say the previous person took over. Just say it was time to better yourself and go back to school .