I need a bit of advice from anyone that can help lead me in the right direction. This may be a bit long, so please bear with me.
I work at a fairly small LTC. My father in PA is actively dying, in ICU, and probably won't make this week. I requested time off, granted, on short notice, early last week, i believe it was Tuesday. I was off until Fri, which would be a double shift for me, Saturday which was a single, and Sunday which was another double. I was granted off until this coming Monday at three pm and planned on returning for that 3-11 shift.
Thursday past, i called work to again make sure that I was off the schedule for this weekend. At that time I was told that I was on the schedule for this coming Monday at three. I said great, I would return to FL Sunday sometime, not yet having booked my return flight.
Today I got a phone call at home, after having just gotten in the door and was told that I was seen in FL by a co-worker while I was supposed to be in PA, and I was needed at work this afternoon for a double shift, 3-11 and 11-7. I expalined to my supervisor that I had JUST walked in the door, and was not in FL this week, but my s/o was using my vehicle, which may have been seen by someone, and that NO I couldn't come in to work until Monday, as I haven't slept since Friday on the plane to PA, and a half hour nap on Saturday. This has been a bad week for me, as the s/o and myself drove to PA last tuesday after I heard that I had off until next Monday, and I only returned to bring the s/o home to go to work, and double check that I was indeed off the schedule for this weekend, before flying back and sitting at my father's bedside while he was in the dying process.
Long story short, I don't feel as if I'm in any any shape to work after not sleeping, and that I can't pass meds and give insulins while in this condition. Also, i WAS given off until Monday, but due to THEIR mistake, was put on shcedule for a double shift today.
I was told that if I didn't show, I was fired. I told them fine, I'm fired, I can't be in. Any one have any words of encouragement or advice at this point? Thanks in advance everyone.
How seriously demented are these people? They have such poor service that so many people are calling off, and they can't trust you at your word? what kind of trust do they put in you as a RN? Honestly, all they care about is staffing, and even double shifting you is just wrong....how do they expect you to work so much? But, such is the medical profession nowadays.
Again, they're a bunch of idiots....they won't do a thing...but you should find another job ASAP. When the crapola hits the fan, you will be covered without a shield.
thanks guys, i needed at least one positive reply, and as usual, you guys came thru. i'm a big tough guy, but right now i'm balling like a baby. i can't afford the job loss, as i spent money for bills and rent to get up there. i just can't believe i'm being fired, after telling them that i have witnesses as to me calling and knowing i was off schedule until monday. i really am in no shape to try to work right now, and my don knows it. this just sucks so bad.
do yourself a favor....call and schedule a time to speak to your director with baggage ticket in hand. tell him/her about the situation ...and if they wont let you sign up for fmla then tell them you quit...bc ...hello...there is a nursing shortage out there! you can get another job....the time with your dad you cant get back.:redpinkhetake care
Just to wish for you that things will be okay - during this time of your father's illness; and you didn't need this kind of treatment from your employer. There will be another job for you.
I am so sorry that your father is so ill. Losing a parent is very painful.
You had time off scheduled until 3pm Monday The supervisor had no right to call you
to come in. And threaten to fire you. I see this as intimidation. I would want to know
the name of the coworker that claims to have seen you. I would show up for work as
scheduled tomorrow if they fire you its their loss.
I don't know how many work in your facility but in order to apply for FMLA there needs to be either 50 or 75 employees...sorry I cannot remember the exact number.
I would be looking for a new job ASAP. If you should be fired be sure to check into unemployment.Your state labor and relations board might have info as well.
I am so sorry for your additional stree...you just don't need it right now.Hope you get some rest tonight.
Just relax... everything will be okey... like they said, you have a lot of proof with you... Tickets, and you yourself alone is a proof... Once they see you're not in the good condition to work then no need to say anything... Plus, if you try to force yourself to do your job and you're not in ur PERFECTLY GOOD SHAPE... then there's a lot of room to commit errors, which will lead to one thing... You'll get fired too... okey, everything is on your side... okey!!!
Any employer that wants me to choose my job over my family is not where I would want to work. To be honest, I don't think it's worth it to go back to work there. Start putting in applications and if they ask why you were let go from this previous job, be honest.
If you have been there longer than a year, you should be protected by the Family Leave Act. Your vehicle being seen by a co-worker is an easy explanation for the error.
I would also call back to the hospital and if you built a rapport with one of the nurses/staff members there, maybe it's possible (and being a healthcare professional, they would understand), they will be willing to talk to your supervisor to confirm that you were in PA.
I would also provide evidence of my plane tickets and pull up your bank statements for any money spent while you were in PA...receipts, anything.
I don't think the issue rests with you working, I think it rests with the fact that they don't think you were gone to start with.
I would put a a little bit of a fight for my job. As all the pp said...bring proof you were in PA. I would also ask who the person was that saw you. I'm willing to be the DON didn't fire you, but the supervisor was being a bully and was bluffing. I've seen it happen before....
Good news everyone! I went in to speak to the DON that told me yesterday if I didn't come in I was fired with my ticket stubs and a faxed statement from the ICU staff where my father is, and the jerk refused to see me. I just walked my butt back out the door with my head held high and drove home and started making phone calls.
I got a new job at a facility I quit from under good terms. Means I'll continue making what I am now, and get a sign on bonus to boot! The ADON at the new facility was formerly my unit manager, and gave me a glowing recomendation!
As for the old facility, the state is there, and it apparently doesn't look good. they're out of alot of supplies, including syringes, graduated med cups, and tube feedings. Several nurses are using TB needles for insulins! When I told my old sup where I was leaving from, she told me some things that scared the heck out of me, such as they've changed pharmacies three times in the last year d/t non-payment, and they've had some CNA's complain that their paychecks bounced. I'm just hoping I get paid for the time I was there when payday comes.
God truly did open a window, because I wasn't even unemployed for 24 hours. Thank you all again for all of the positive thoughts you all sent my way. I'm proud to be affiliated with such wonderful men and women as yourselves!
locolorenzo22, BSN, RN
2,396 Posts
How seriously demented are these people? They have such poor service that so many people are calling off, and they can't trust you at your word? what kind of trust do they put in you as a RN? Honestly, all they care about is staffing, and even double shifting you is just wrong....how do they expect you to work so much? But, such is the medical profession nowadays.
Again, they're a bunch of idiots....they won't do a thing...but you should find another job ASAP. When the crapola hits the fan, you will be covered without a shield.