Advice opinions please

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Mar 1, 2015

If you were given the choice of PTO or going to another facility, did you all have to make a decision right then and there?

If you chose not to take your PTO and go to another facility, then that was a choice that you made. That others have less than stellar experiences there may or may not be your experience. If you are going to help, as opposed to being a primary nurse, it could be something that you try once, and if you hate it, then start using up your PTO. If you have a suspicion that you will be asked to take patient assignment, then I would not go back--I agree that is less than safe. What are you co-worker's doing? What has been their experience?

No telling when you will be able to return to you former job. So you may need to get an alternate plan in place starting now. And if you are terminated, I would see about unemployment until such time as you can secure another position.

Best wishes to you going forward!

mommynurse25 · Mar 1, 2015

I may need to clarify that we are being forced to go to the other facility we can not use pto anymore nothing its that or else. We do have to take pt assignment I know how to take care of pts butt its the fact its a different facility and I will not be oriented to how that facility runs. We are the primary nurse helping them. I havent been there but I got wrote up for refusal to go im like i didnt have any agreement or anything in w ritting for me to go to any other facility and its an hr away r we being compensated for that no. We are being forced. And without proper orientation I will not do it. Im just freaking out I want to just quit and find a diff job bit that refusal will be in my file and my family says I should stand up be a professional advocate for myself its not safe with proper orientation to that facility. They told another nurse just do what u normally do. No med access no charting access. Its a mess. Its ridiculous. I do have a plan for other jobs im just scared I've never been terminated but if so would it be wrongful termination?

mommynurse25 · Mar 1, 2015

Their was also a nurse doing a task and the nurse that works at that facility was like what are u doing thats not how its done here! Exactly my point. Im not risking anything I guess im not going. Im not taking care of pts at that facility without proper orientation to that facility!!

If you were given the choice of PTO or going to another facility, did you all have to make a decision right then and there?
If you chose not to take your PTO and go to another facility, then that was a choice that you made. That others have less than stellar experiences there may or may not be your experience. If you are going to help, as opposed to being a primary nurse, it could be something that you try once, and if you hate it, then start using up your PTO. If you have a suspicion that you will be asked to take patient assignment, then I would not go back--I agree that is less than safe. What are you co-worker's doing? What has been their experience?
No telling when you will be able to return to you former job. So you may need to get an alternate plan in place starting now. And if you are terminated, I would see about unemployment until such time as you can secure another position.
Best wishes to you going forward!

Gooselady, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2015

Working in an unfamiliar environment is hell. The job is hard enough when you know where everything is, how to call certain doctors, etc etc. It scares the crap out of newer nurses and is an endless source of frustration and annoyance to experienced nurses. We had to float in my previous hospital, granted it was just up to ortho or neuro rather than across town to a different hospital. Still didn't know where anything was, didn't know the 'culture' of the unit or how certain docs like to be called and when.

From an experienced nurse's point of view here; you know how to be a nurse. You can ask where stuff is, that is you right to be given a quick unit orientation by the charge or manager. You have to advocate for yourself, it won't be handed to you (it should be but I'm an idealist).

Further, you won't know the 'culture'. Too bad for THEM. Do your nursing work and to hell with frustrating or annoying anybody. You are there to help them care for med surg patients, not to make new friends or worship them or ANYTHING else but patient care :)

You need to be PROUD Of yourself as a nurse, who is having a lot asked of her. You have a license and you are there to USE it, to hell with everything else, I mean that. Be strong and assertive in your sense of yourself as a nurse. You don't need to know everything about that hospital BEFORE you can perform med surg nursing. It sure helps but at this point, it's not about personal feelings and preferences. And it's certainly not worth losing a good job over .

I strongly believe if you push through these insecurities you will feel so much more confident IN GENERAL about your nursing abilities. You have these abilities in spite of your environment. You aren't dependent on a familiar environment to be able to do nursing. It sure helps! And you'll appreciate like heck when your unit is back and functioning!

You can go into this unfamiliar unit with a much more workable attitude, rather than tear yourself apart before you even get there (I don't know where anything is! I don't know what they want! I don't know how it works!). You still know what to do for a patient, and if you fumble around and are late with a few meds and have to ask a hundred questions then do it and hold your head up about it. They are asking a LOT of you guys who are being sent to a new hospital. And it will be over soon, you know the hospital ain't into losing money :) You can do this, and you'll be glad you did, it's a confidence builder! Good luck, and chin up.

allnurses Guide · Mar 1, 2015

I'm uncomfortable in unfamiliar environments, too. But I think that if your duties are within your scope of practice and both facilities are owned by the same company that issues your paychecks, it's not wrongful termination if they make good on the threat to fire you if you refuse again.

It works both ways, though. If you work in your capacity as a licensed nurse no way should they deny you access to meds or the ability to chart on your own patients.

Hoping it all works out for you.