Fired from my med/surg job after almost 3 years

[gettingbsn2msn, MSN, RN]

I was on vacation last week and came back to work my shift at the hospital 7p-7a on Sunday night. I was informed Sunday afternoon that I had been suspended and not to come into work. I was told that I needed to come to the hospital at that moment and talk with the nurse manager and director. I came in the following morning and waited almost 4 hours to see the director. When I finally walked into his office (I got tired of waiting) I was told he was too busy and I needed to see the nurse manager. I then went to the nurse manager office where I was told that I needed to go to HR. I asked "are you firing me?" She said that she, in good conscience could not allow me to come back to work.

I have excellent people skills, have never been late and sick one time (brought in a doctor note). I have (what I believe) excellent assessment skills as well. The floor I worked on is absolute chaos. I have managed quite well. This was my first nursing job but I am middle aged so this was by no means my only job. Here is why I was let go: We are to do assessments on each patient every 8 hours. That meant that I SHOULD have come in at 7pm and given my meds and sat around (like most others). However I always did my assessments between 7-10 because if something happened to the patient I would have the assessment completed. Anyway I was told that my downfall was I should have copied and pasted the assessment into the 11p-7a timeframe or have done it at that time. THEY FIRED ME FOR THIS. I had done this previously on occassion. I explained that the night said occurance took place I had 2 admissions and a women who thought she was having a heart attack. I also did not take a dinner break in over 12 hours.

I have been upset for days. They told me to write a resignation letter and it will not look so bad. I can also use them for references. I also made NO MONEY and the floor is always short. I am so hurt by this. I worked very well with the nurses on that floor. I welcomed new grads with open arms. The nurse manager even told me "everybody loves you". It has broken my heart and I am trying not to let it break my spirit as well. I have cried for days over this. I miss my coworkers. I miss my patients. I miss the culture. Please someone write me some words of wisdom to help me get over this. My heart is breaking right now.

I need to turn in my letter this week but I dread going to the floor to see everyone. She promised that she would say I resigned so that no one would know I was fired.

I am so worried that I will not find another job now due to the economy. Sorry this is scattered but I have been upset for days. Thank you for your kindness in reading this.

[neeke816]

That just sounds horrible. It sounds like you really loved your job, and it's not fair that they didn't give you another chance!!!

[PinkRocksLikeMe]

I am sorry this happened to you. I cannot figure out within your post what you did that required you being terminated and needing to speak with director right then?? I have a feeling this has something to do with something else completely. I just hope you can get to the bottom of it. Good luck and keep us posted.

Jenn

[JerseyBSN]

You are lucky in the fact that they are allowing you to turn in a resignation and will give you a reference. It would be much harder to find a job with a termination and no reference.

I understand your pain. I've been through a similar experience myself a couple of years ago. Remember that God does not close a door without opening a window. It took me several months to get a new job but when I did it was much better, better pay, better benefits. I now feel blessed.

[gettingbsn2msn, MSN, RN]

Jenn,

I have seen my employment file and that was all that was in it. I was literally fired over charting maybe an hour early and not having an assessment between 2300 and 0700. My assessments had been done between 2000 and 2200. The reason I needed to see the director is that I was scheduled to work that evening and he would not lift the suspension. He always said he had an open door policy so I believed him. I would never in a million years have believed the outcome of this!

[Joey_Boy, LPN]

Sounds more like a back door layoff so they don't have to pay severance or make their unemployment tax go up. Don't give them a resignation letter if you're planning on collecting unemployment.

[sarafina]

was also just thinking you probably should not turn in a resignation letter otherwise you wont qualify for unemployment.

Sorry this happened to you

[I<3H2O, BSN, RN]

How silly is this assessment policy? Assessments q8h but you work 12 hr shifts? Sounds like a policy left over from the 8hr shift days. Does your state require q8h assessments?

I am not sure I would write resignation letter. I would get them for unemployment.

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

You are being bullied into resigning. I don't know re collecting unemployment where u r, but I myself wouldn't write a resignation letter to satisfy them.

And you said everyone is upset ur going? The what the hell are they firing you for? It all sounds too ridiculous to be true! Firing you because u were too efficient? What a laugh!

U said u have done other jobs. Re-vamp ur CV & use them as referees if possible. I would be getting away from that place ASAP. You have been treated shabbily to say the least, and I personally, would be telling them all to their face, but that's obviously ur call.

I think ur letting yourself get bullied, and not standing up to them enough personally.

[PinkRocksLikeMe]

Thats what I was saying, this probably has to do with something else....Something that has NOTHING to do with you. They want the resignation letter so they do not have to pay you unemployment. I would NOT do that as you do not know how long it might take you to get a job and you are entitled to that money. I am very sorry this happened. It sounds like someone was being a coward and not wanting to be honest with you in what was going on...

Good luck to ya,

Jenn

[gettingbsn2msn, MSN, RN]

I am not sure if the state requires 8 hour assessments.

I am scared to say what state this is in due to repercussions. I will say that it is in the southeast. And our hospital (excuse me, their hospital) has nurses that work 8 hour or 12 hour shifts. It is really up to the nurse manager.

I guess I am just wondering if anyone has ever heard of such a thing. I also will tell you this is a right to work state. I am not completely sure what that means.

[caliotter3]

I agree with JLenegan. I read nothing in your post about how many times you had been verbally warned and then warned repeatedly, so as to warrant termination. Whenever an employer blindsides an employee like this situation, it does wonders to destroy unit morale. Keep your chin up in the upcoming days. You are going to need a tough attitude to get through this.