Denied time off for a critical doctors appointment? Can they do this?

shoegalRN, RN · Jan 23, 2011

So, you are still on orientation?

I would be VERY leary of what your managers are telling you. If they are already telling you they don't think you will be a good fit AND your attendance is starting to be a concern, it's only a matter of time before you are out.

I hate to tell you this, but start looking for another job like NOW!

During orientation, ALWAYS try to be on time (not even a minute late), don't miss any days. Because if you do, an employer can use this against you as a reason why you are not a good "fit" for their unit.

If you have only been employed with this employer for four weeks, you are skating on thin ice.

Good luck and I'm sorry you are not feeling well.

HeatherGurl84 · Jan 23, 2011

So, you are still on orientation?
I would be VERY leary of what your managers are telling you. If they are already telling you they don't think you will be a good fit AND your attendance is starting to be a concern, it's only a matter of time before you are out.
I hate to tell you this, but start looking for another job like NOW!
During orientation, ALWAYS try to be on time (not even a minute late), don't miss any days. Because if you do, an employer can use this against you as a reason why you are not a good "fit" for their unit.
If you have only been employed with this employer for four weeks, you are skating on thin ice.
Good luck and I'm sorry you are not feeling well.

Thank You....I have NEVER been late to work. I am already looking at other job opportunities. They have done a number of things that go against the hospital policies. It is sickening......

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2011

In most places, there is no employer obligation to let you off for an appt. And if you are orientation, they can fire you for any reason. Most employers are wary of employees thT call in or have medical issues during the probationary period. Thus they are less lenient.

It may not be fair or right, but in most cases, still legal.

SharonH, RN · Jan 23, 2011

Two days off in orientation is a red flag-I can see where your managers are coming from. Forget about what your co-workers are telling you; consult your HR policies regarding attendance.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Jan 23, 2011

Your still in orientation. You are sick, they see you as a disability risk. I live in a at will state, but even states that are not from what I understand they can let you go for any reason during your probation period; which I am assuming you are in since you are still on orientation. I would make the appointment for farther out or try to get in on your day off (hope for a cancellation) and lay low. If it was really emergent you could go to urgent care.

tech1000 · Jan 23, 2011

I would suck it up and go another day. We have this issue often because I work with a ton of people in my department but the department needs a certain number of people. People get denied time off frequently at my job and it is legal. If you're in orientation, I would have been having somebody pick me up from the bottom of the driveway to take me to work. If you're looking for another job, that's probably good. But your hospital isn't doing anything wrong by denying you a day off. Also, no hospital is perfect... You'll see stuff you hate at all of them.

ukstudent · Jan 23, 2011

Rules for attendance and time off are different when you are on orientation and when you are off. While on orientation you have NO time off, NO sick days etc. You need to get into work.

To a manager if you don't get into work during a snow/ice emergency during orientation (when showing up is most important) they can petty much count that you will not turn up any time in the future during snow/ice emergencies.

Have these panic attacks started since you started working. If so then maybe this working environment is not a good fit for you medically.

This is probably going to sound a little harsh but just how critical is this doctors appointment. If you thought it was really critical you would have made an appointment to see a doctor even before the insurance kicked in. If not so critical, but urgent then you call after you have insurance and take the next appointment that you are available to go to, as you have now.

The rules during orientation should have been spelled out to you. Your managers now know not to count on you to turn up during snow/ice emergencies, that you have a medical problem, that you will want time off for medical appointments and that you are not getting up to speed with the work.

As previous posters have said you should look for a new job, but in the mean time do everything to keep this one. Turn up everyday on time and try and get up to speed with pt care. Good luck.

Orange Tree · Jan 23, 2011

I schedule my doctors' appointments around work since I wouldn't have insurance or be able to pay for them without my job. And if I had a true emergency that could not wait, I would go to the ER. It does sound like you may be setting yourself up for failure. The critic in me hears, "I am needy and have a strong sense of entitlement. The longer I stick around, the more excuses I will make and the more favors I will expect."

I'm not trying to be mean, either....but at this point you've got to prove that you have something to offer. Later, when you're established and you know they want to keep you around, you can ask for days off, an office with a view, strawberry poptarts, etc.

lynnintn · Jan 23, 2011

hey everyone please read this and tell me what you think....i am at a loss and just so frustrated.
i have been terribly sick with nosebleeds, fainting, dizziness, panic attack-like symptoms at home and while on the job. i contacted my managers on january 19th 2011 to let them know that i had made an appointment with my physician due to these symptoms majorly affecting me. i made an appointment for the 27th, due to that being the only thing my doctor had available, or i would be waiting over 2 weeks. when i returned to work the following day, one manager stated "okay so you need that day..." and nothing else was said to me. april brought me into her office during my shift yesterday on the 21st and told me "i talked it over with the other manager and we decided since you did miss that one day due to snow and ice(i believe it was the 4th or the 11th when we had the major ice issue--difficult to recall. i live an hour away from this hospital and the ice was so terrible i could not even get down the driveway) on the 26th we are not going to give you your day off for your doctors appointment. your attendance is starting to be a worry." i had made both of my managers fully aware of my situation and i did ask" what would happen if i were to pass out at work?" and she proceeded to throw her hands up as if to say "i do not know" and she remained quiet. i had to reschedule my appointment. which is now over 10 days away. i would have made one much sooner into my orientation but i have been waiting on insurance benefits to be fully available (my enrollment was lost the first time i enrolled and later recovered. resulting in a delay in my coverage.) i just received my medical cards/paperwork on thursday. the 18th of january.
i am just at a loss. i have been told by other employees that time had to be made for doctors appointments, with a physician's note. my managers are doing/saying something completely different. i worry about my health and the care my patients receive. i do not feel that i can give excellent care when i myself am not feeling excellent.
i was also told that since i am only taking 3 patients and it is my 4th week that i may not be cut out for their med/surg unit. a full load is 5-7 patients and i have a 90 day orientation. they are constantly pointing out anything i do wrong, nothing right. i feel like i am failing of course i dont feel well either!
any opinion on this matter would be greatly appreciated!

this may be illegal. i just don't know.that said, i must say that if you have already missed 2-3 days of work and you are only into your 4th week of orientation, then i can see why your supervisor is concerned. nurses are expected to be at work no matter what the weather or their health. it sounds mean, but this is the real world. i would not miss any more work unless i was absolutely dying with a fever of 103+.

on the other hand, employers do questionable things all the time re: hiring and firing and know how to skirt around the laws so they do not get in trouble. therefore, if you want to keep your job, i would try to re-schedule my appointment for one of my days off or before or after work. i know it stinks, but jobs are just too scarce right now. also, i would advise you not to quit just yet even though you are having doubts about your abilities. all new nurses go through this and question themselves. if you know, without a doubt, that med-surg is something you just are not cut out for, then start looking for a new position on your days off.

good luck. i am so sorry your first nursing job is not going as anticipated.

lynn