Fired for saying "under-staffed"

[cardinalRN]

Two nurses at my hospital were recently fired for saying we were under-staffed. They were at the nurses station, not speaking to a patient or family members, and were overheard by a member of administration. We had been told not to ever say that to a patient or family (which seems like common sense)...but really? Is this a fireable offense? Do they think the patients/families can't tell or don't already know that we are short-staffed? So....we've been warned. My hospital is so short-staffed/overcrowded, the nurses, doctors, and ancillary staff are all just burned out. Thoughts?

[PurpleLover]

My thoughts are you should never say short staffed at work.

There had to be more to it.

You should find a new job.

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

If you are an At Will employee they don't need a reason to fire anyone. In truth anyone can attempt to sue over unjust firing but not likely to make it far and would be costly in legal fees.

One more reason I prefer to work nights & weekends; not so many admin types sneaking around. . .

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

This is a complicated issue....many states have staffing laws. The be fired for saying this I think is a bit over the top on administrations part. What was the whole conversation. I personally would start talking to a lawyer.

Once administrations start acting like this we are back in the dark ages and we are all in trouble.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I would be talking to an attorney if that happened to me. I don't know what the results of that conversation would be.

I would also be thinking of making a call to a newspaper reporter ... but only after I talked with the attorney.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

Somehow, I'm not surprised. I would look for a way out of that dump, fast.

[GraceNotes]

Is it considered libel? What's the reason for firing? I understand "at will" employment. If treatments are delayed because staff is out sick/fired/quit, it is obvious to everyone. Too bad the best "fix" is to quit.

[pookyp, LPN]

So they were understaffed and just lost 2 more employees. Smart.

[RNGriffin]

I don't know how long you have been with the organization, but I would advise you to see employment else where. Your administration obviously shows disregard to the staff & patients. Those coveted HCAP scores everyone is aiming to top the list & be number on in the nation, how can you be great without the man power in place to produce exceptional customer service & nursing care?

Shame on your Nurse Manager and DON for not advocating for the employees.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

I live and work in one of those states where one can be fired without cause. I can see, however, that saying "understaffed" would be a no-no, if said to a patient, but not if simply said among the staff at the desk.

[MatrixRn]

I have seen people fired for being negative and or bad mouthing the organization.

Even though they were not directly talking to a patient they were at the nurses' station and could be heard, clearly, as admin heard them and maybe others.

I think we might need more context.What else was said? Were they being negative? What was their past history? Was this an ongoing theme for them? And if it was does the rest of the staff want that negativity in their culture?

[ArtClassRN, ADN, RN]

Two nurses at my hospital were recently fired for saying we were under-staffed. They were at the nurses station, not speaking to a patient or family members, and were overheard by a member of administration. We had been told not to ever say that to a patient or family (which seems like common sense)...but really? Is this a fireable offense? Do they think the patients/families can't tell or don't already know that we are short-staffed? So....we've been warned. My hospital is so short-staffed/overcrowded, the nurses, doctors, and ancillary staff are all just burned out. Thoughts?

And people still rail against unions...sheesh.