CNA quit with no notice because of health reasons.

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2015

I am a cna who is 30 weeks pregnant and I have been working 12 hour shifts, recently I have had blood pressure and blood sugar issues that make me extremely dizzy. I quit my job with no notice because I fainted on the job the day before. Which they were not happy about. I tried giving them a doctors note and they said what is the use if you already quit. I just hate to be on bad terms with a nursing home. I am worried that because I quit with no notice that in the future other jobs will not hire me or do you think they will be understanding? Also, is this considered abandonment?

If you could provide just one piece of information; how long were you working there? I'm not being nosey, it will help with a reply.

Sagegrr · Sep 12, 2015

Almost ten months.

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2015

Almost ten months.

Thanks.

Unfortunately, you weren't there long enough to use FMLA. You need to be employed at least 12 months AND work 1250 hours in those 12 months.

I know you were worried for yourself and your baby, but quitting with no notice was a bit rash.

You fainted at work, and you say you have been having some problems. I don't know the cause of your blood pressure and blood sugar problems, and in any event would not give you advise on how best to manage them. That is between you and your OB.

What I can tell you is, yes this could impact further employment, especially before you deliver. If you need to have a job now for financial reasons (no judgment, we all have bills to pay), even if you have no more problems, you're going to be working at the most 10 more weeks before you deliver. Even if they hire you because they're desperate for a warm body, your job won't be held for you, and you wouldn't be eligible for maternity leave.

Are you in a position to stay home until after you have the baby? Then, when prospective employers ask why you left your previous job, you can tell them you had some pregnancy problems, but it is no longer an issue.

Hindsight is 20/20, but it might have been better if you had gone home after the incident, consulted your OB, and then contacted your Unit Manager. You probably would have been home for a few days (ideally with an OB check during that time), returned with a doctor's note and you would still have a job.

If your OB had recommended light duty after you fainted, your Manager might or might not have gone along with it, and you might have still needed to resign. But at least you would have covered all your bases, you wouldn't have left your Manager short staffed with no notice and you could honestly tell future employers "My OB provider recommended light duty, and my facility couldn't accommodate that."

You might have even been able to reapply for a position at your old facility. Now? Probably not.

Stephia87RN · Sep 12, 2015

It's only abandonment if your a licensed individual such as LPN or RN. I wouldn't worry too much about it. You can tell your future job interviews that your doctor ordered you to stop working due to health concerns while pregnant.

NanikRN · Sep 12, 2015

You can tell your future job interviews that your doctor ordered you to stop working due to health concerns while pregnant.
I agree with above. Would be a good idea to ask a nurse or two you connected with to write a personal letter of recommendation for future jobs. Ask now while memory is fresh
Good luck with rest of your pregnancy.

mrsboots87 · Sep 13, 2015

I quit without notice from a job before. I was a department manager for a home improvement store. I was 5 mos pregnant and still getting very sick everyday. Dizzy, almost fainted twice, couldn't eat much of anything, and was hospitalized twice. I was young and naive and didn't fully understand intermittent FMLA and though that it only covered after the baby was born anyway. My job was threatened for tardiness even though I had been told that it was fine because I was pregnant. I learned the hard way it wasn't. Anyway, the next day I was too sick to even get out of bed without falling, so I called out and never went back. They didn't care about me so I didnt care about them. A bit different because I wasn't a healthcare worker, but it has never stopped me from getting a job. I don't use any references from there and when asked why I quit and am not re-hireable (someone actually did their homework before an interview and asked me that), I stated I had a pregnancy complication and my OB had advised I stop work immediately. The fact I could have applied for FMLA and didn't never got brought up and I got that job.

Basically, did you burn a bridge for future employment and any good reference? Probably. But you should still be able to find another job down the road. If you need one now though, pregnancy discrimination is still alive and well in the workforce even though its illegal, and you will be hardpressed to find an employer who will look passed the bump. Hopefully you are financially able to stay out of work for yours and your babies health and get to enjoy the new addition for a bit before you start the job hunt again. Pregnancy and bonding time are easy ways to explain gaps in employment.