Fired, no proof or investigation. Please help

Published

Last week I was forced to care for a patient that is fostered by the pediatric Chaplin on our unit. The chaplain has been very malicious to me since I met her two years ago. The charge nurse and I both had been fired from caring for the patient. She had basically fired every single nurse. I had never cared for the patient but knew I was not wanted, she had verbally explained that to me several times. During the night I was forced to care for her I was very mariculture in my care. I knew she would be all about getting me in some kind of trouble. After I went home that morning, and came back to work my boss was waiting on me. She stated that a formal complaint had been filed against me for harming a patient. I was shocked and very confused. I was written up for the first time for this incident. I was accused by the chaplain of turning the telemetry monitor volume down( I did not), and allowing the alarm to go off for 30 minutes with no intervention. I worked with a second nurse that night, and both of us agree no alarms went off that night. I fought the write up, because it was malicious in nature. However the chaplain was out for blood, and once she found out I would only be written up, not fired, she went strait to the legal department. My boss warned me that this was not good, but since I had never been in trouble before I most likely wouldn't be fired, but would be watched closely for six months. I leave work to return three days later to be terminated. There had been a second formal complain filled for bullying. And I was fired d/t a no tolerance policy. I am a very very nonconfrontational person, and quite shy. I have been bullied actually, since I began working at this hospital. Ironically I was fired for that very thing. I guess my question is, what should I do? I work in the Picu, I have no desire to work in any other area. It is my dream job and it never feels like work. I was a model employee, all of my yearly reviews were without any corrections or issues. I'm so confused and hurt by this. I have applied at the other hospital in town that he Picu and even with my 3 years of experience I was rejected. I feel so alone, and helpless.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Are you in the United States?

If there's only one other PICU, and they've rejected you, consider moving to another area.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

I'd suggest contacting a lawyer who specializes in Labor law.

Good luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sorry this happened to you. I'm gathering we can assume you were fired primarily on the influence of the hospital chaplain, and that the bullying complaint is more likely than not just a pretense?

If you are in a unionized hospital, you can certainly take it up with the union and might have a strong case. Most likely though, you are considered an at-will employee and have no major recourse upon being fired for just about any reason that isn't blatantly discriminatory.

Make sure you have copies of your performance reviews. Reach out to former coworkers, explain your situation to them, and ask if they would write you letters of recommendation and/or support. It's likely that many of your coworkers would have a good deal of sympathy for you given the circumstances of your firing.

Armed with those reviews and letters, you probably have two options if you wish to continue being a PICU nurse. You can move and apply to PICUs outside of your current area. Or you can apply for a different position in the other local hospital with a PICU, develop a good reputation, and transfer into the PICU as soon as a spot opens up.

Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I am so sorry ((HUGS))

If you have ...call them immediately!

This is another reason nurses need insurance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Seek legal advice, at least one consultation, before moving forward. Best wishes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

There is more to this. I'm sorry. This makes no sense, at all. A chaplain did this? A chaplain in excellent standing in the hospital?

I believe something happened here. I truly do. But not what the OP is describing.

There are 3 sides to every story.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Healthcare risk management and liability.
I am so sorry ((HUGS))

If you have malpractice insurance...call them immediately!

This is another reason nurses need insurance.

As I posted on another similar thread. There is no coverage under your malpractice policy for you being fired.

Going back to the OP, I am amazed at the number of responses to workplace complaint issues to 'call your malpractice insurer'. The malpractice insurer does not care about this since they do not cover you for your workplace complaints or conflicts. They are not going to keep a record of your call nor are they going to open a file unless you are calling to report something that will trigger your coverage, and I have spoken extensively here about events that will trigger your coverage.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, she was very upset that I took her daughter as a patient, and that she had no choice in the matter. Her child is a chronic child who is admitted often, and I had been able to avoid taking the patient up until now. She has two or three hand picked nurses and wants her way. If she doesn't get it she is very Passive aggressive and vendictive. I know this is out of sorts from the usual chaplain behavior, but that doesn't make it any less true, there are bad seeds in every profession. Thank you for your input.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you, I have great recommendations from my charge nurses, manager and team lead. This is what makes this all the more upsetting. I am a good nurse, and it didn't even matter in the situation. I think I am going to try to get my foot in the door at the second hospital anywhere that I can, within the pediatric realm and the work my way back. It is just heart breaking because until then I know I won't be satisfied. Thank you for your input.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you, I have wondered the same thing. It's scary taking on a large hospital, but all my coworkers and manager are basically telling me to do this same thing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thank you, I have wondered the same thing. It's scary taking on a large hospital, but all my coworkers and manager are basically telling me to do this same thing.

It's hard to tell who you are responding to when you don't use the quote button. The quote feature is right next to the reply button.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion