Can I get Fired?

allnurses Guide · Apr 3, 2019

12 minutes ago, FolksBtrippin said:
I'm disputing the very common statement "they can get rid of you for any reason" because it's a common theme I see here. I think this belief contributes to a bad working environment in that people don't know their rights.
They can lay you off, they can fire you with cause. Those are their two options. If they fire you and there is no cause, and it isn't a layoff you can sue for wrongful termination. It doesn't have to be discrimination based on sex, age, race, etc. They also can't fire you for voting for Trump, for being an Eagles fan, because daughter just graduated nursing school and wants your job, etc.

This is not true at all in employment at will states. You can be let go for any or no reason. Layed off, fired, its all different words for the same outcome. You no longer have a job.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Apr 3, 2019

Yes, you could get fired for this. Think about it from the employers point of view here. You used facility supplies, most likely while you were on the clock to perform a medical procedure on yourself that wasn't ordered by an MD or authorized by anybody. What if something had gone worn and you developed an infection? Would your employer be liable as that was technically an on the job injury? Maybe so, maybe not as I am sure they would fight it but that also costs resources. Why on earth would you start an IV on yourself anyway?

Mr. Murse · Apr 3, 2019

9 minutes ago, kbrn2002 said:
Yes, you could get fired for this. Think about it from the employers point of view here. You used facility supplies, most likely while you were on the clock to perform a medical procedure on yourself that wasn't ordered by an MD or authorized by anybody. What if something had gone worn and you developed an infection? Would your employer be liable as that was technically an on the job injury? Maybe so, maybe not as I am sure they would fight it but that also costs resources. Why on earth would you start an IV on yourself anyway?

This response is right, they COULD technically fire you for it, but most likely won't, unless you have given them other reasons to do so.

Let this be an important lesson though: think through potential repercussions of your actions BEFORE you do them. ha.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2019

What is "at will" employment?

At-will employment is a term used in U.S. labor law for contractual relationships in which an employee can be dismissed by an employer for any reason (that is, without having to establish "just cause" for termination), and without warning,[1] as long as the reason is not illegal (e.g. firing because of the employee's race or religion). When an employee is acknowledged as being hired "at will," courts deny the employee any claim for loss resulting from the dismissal.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At-will_employment

Some states have exceptions; it varies by state, but the general principle remains basically the same.

JadedCPN, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2019

Can they fire you? Yes.

Will they fire you? My guess would be no. You could get in trouble for it though.

Over my years, we've let others (usually new grads) "practice" their IV skills on us experienced nurses. Management knew about it and just looked the other way. On the other hand, management wouldn't be okay with us starting IVs on each other because we were hungover and wanting a fluid bolus. I am very curious as to why you started the IV.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Apr 3, 2019

Not smart. You could be accused of diverting, and of course wasting hospital supplies is seriously frowned upon in an industry that prides itself on cutting costs. Like others, I wonder what you were thinking when you did this, and I hope you don't do it again.

Nurselexii · Apr 3, 2019

The good news is you are a nurse , with superb IV experience , you can get hired the same day you got fired , and as a nurse who has had many jobs. (Travel nurse , per diem) hospitals ask other hospitals to verify your dates of employment . References (which you can ask anyone who has ever been charge nurse , or is willing to say they are ) are the ones who they ask for character .

Please note , they can fire you , but they can’t take your health , your good good looks , and your sanity . Which is really the equivalent to having one the lottery if you have all 3.

dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I · Apr 3, 2019

"Any reason" has it's problems. One hospital would fire you for cause if they had solid proof, for "Inadequate charting" if the just want to fire you. This second one if it really existed, is totally subjective and hard to fight because you don't have access to pt records.

Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2019

On 4/2/2019 at 10:47 AM, Emergent said:
Although I did this once, I recommend avoiding these kinds of public shenanigans at work. Often there's a killjoy tattletale in every crowd

and with a camera.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Apr 4, 2019

So, what was the outcome?

noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP · Apr 4, 2019

My coworker gave herself a liter bolus bc she came to work hungover.

She didn't get fired but she didn't tell people about it.

Sketchy AF.

Why did you start an IV on yourself?

I've felt nervous flushing my eyes out with saline flushes when my contacts got dry. Couldn't see well. Wonder if that's fireable, as well? Hmmmm...

nrsang97, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2019

So I have to ask did you just do this to see if you could get into a vein on yourself?

If you didn't flush it, and then use it to bolus yourself, and/or give IV meds to yourself, then I don't see the issue. I would suggest that you do not do that again.

I did at the desk one day try to see if I could start an IV in my own hand. I was able to get flash. I was also able to advance, but never flushed it. No meds were near.

I have also had coworkers that would give themselves IVF boluses. One got outed to management by someone that was pulled to our unit. She was suspended along with the nurse that started the IV on her. (Sadly hypocritical since it was ok for day staff to to this.)