Fired!!

cjveronica · Feb 17, 2010

I really have eight!! LOL, but never once called off because of my kids. I hope I worded my words correctly in the post. Thank you all that replied. This community is great!!!

Schmoo1022 · Feb 17, 2010

I am sorry aboout this. It is tough when you are sick and trying to do as much as you are. I commend you for being in nursing school, working and having children . It must be awfully hard. Things will work out. If you were a good employee, would they give you a good reference? Is there a nurse you could use as a reference? This does not need to stop you from being a nurse

caliotter3 · Feb 17, 2010

No prospective employer needs to know how many kids you have or that you were absent from work because you were in the hospital. Providing too much personal info is giving them the reason to not hire you on a platter, although they will not tell you so. One of my employers got rid of me not very long after I was in the hospital and that was only one time. They are quick to identify possible liabilities, so don't give them any info they don't need to know. The time for listing your kiddies is when you qualifiy for benefits. Good luck.

MiahMSN, MSN, RN · Feb 18, 2010

This will be a continuing problem in your career and you need to get it under control in whatever way you can.
You chose to have 6 children and they are not an excuse for excessive calling in. Just because you have a large family does not mean you get to call in more than what is policy.

Wow, that is a bit reaching and somewhat attacking, no? I think she only stated that she has 6 children, along with being in nursing school and other aspects of her life. When and where did she use this as an excuse?

Some of the comments, judgments and assumptions on this site never ceases to amaze me.

But then again, they don't teach empathy in nursing school. :rolleyes:

OP - sorry to hear of this. Keep your head up, be strong for your children and remember what my girl Dolly (Parton) stated: You can't have a rainbow without rain!

emilee1978 · Feb 18, 2010

Although the delivery was a little off from DeeAngel, I agree with the general message. Any employer will be less than empathetic with frequent call-offs-it's not always right but it IS the truth. If you get another job and continue to call-off frequently, the same thing will happen. I don't have kids and some of my fellow colleagues DO use their children/children's frequent issues as a source of mini-vacations (not saying this is what the OP is doing). Maybe you should have inquired about FMLA or short-term disability? These can sometimes protect you from repercussions of call-offs. Just a suggestion for the future.

tfleuter, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2010

She already indicated that she didn't qualify for FMLA.

jennanurse15 · Feb 18, 2010

sorry to hear. Currently I am scared of getting fired. I really didnt do anything, but am in the spotlight for it. I am the only one working in my family, since my husband got laid off. I really hope I am wrong, but it is a scarey thing when you have kids. Hope you find something else soon.

cny4rn · Feb 18, 2010

DeeAngel, your name doesn't fit the harsh reply you gave. Hope your not that judgemental all the time.

Piccione · Feb 18, 2010

Wow, how did they fire you? Did they have any oral or written warning in advance?

Brilliant Dreams · Feb 18, 2010

Wow! I cant believe some of the posts....

Some jobs come and go. I do NOT believe this job loss will ruin you as a nurse- UNLESS this is the only facility in your area.

I think we can all agree calling off is no good, it makes others have to work harder and can lead to dismissal from a job. Some people call off chronically and that is not fair to others. Having said this, I do not think it is appropriate to automatically assume that the OP must call off due to her kids or due to anything other than what she has said.

If you were fired and you can prove through hospital documentation that you were there EVERY time you called off, you might be able to appeal it or fight it or at least get unemployment for the time being.

To the other posters that keep bringing up children, I do not understand your thought process. I have 3 kids and when there are situations that come up where my kids are very sick I will call off. As a parent you are 100% responsible for that child and kids get sick - A LOT!!! Some might think that people use it as an excuse to get off of work, but many are legitimate when they call off because Little Suzy has croup week one and then week three Little Mikey has come down with the flu. Most daycares and schools do not allow SICK children to attend and as a parent the responsibility is yours to be with them. What should the parent do? Leave them home alone? Trust them to an elderly neighbor you barely know? Send them to school anyway to expose other kids and staff? Wait to take them to the doctors on your off day? I THINK NOT!

Seriously the way some of you talk - you make it sound like calling off for a child is a punishable crime. I dont know about you - but my kids come first before myself or anyone else including co-workers. Sorry if that offends but at the end of the day their well being is what matters most in most parents lives. Jobs come and go and as a nurse or CNA we must strive to always be at work on time as scheduled - BUT LIFE HAPPENS to some more than OTHERS. Not to say that people should not have back up plans for such events.

rngolfer53 · Feb 18, 2010

I was hospitalized twice last and once this year. I am a older woman and my illness creep up on me. I let my employer know in a timely matter. I hope this doesn't effect my opportunity of becoming a Nurse. I have work hard to get where I am at.

While being sick is not your fault, one has to understand that any employer needs to have the work done, and that means having people there to do it.

Nursing is a field where the work can't be put off for a time. Pts need care when they need it, and it can't wait until the next shift, next day, etc. Given the reimbursement rates offered by Medicare, Medicaid, etc, there isn't any way for an employer to afford hiring more than one person to get the job done.

I hope your health issues resolve, but if not, you might very well have a hard time finding and keeping employment in nursing.

Sorry to be blunt, but that's the way it is.

cjveronica · Feb 18, 2010

Hello Everyone,

I will have to say that calling off is wrong. I do have all my documents of the days I was admitted into the hospital. I gave them to my Nurse manager, but I am part-time, which doesn't cover me under FMLA. My children were by my side during these times. I am blessed that I have so much support. I did not post this to lie to any of you. I just was merely expressing myself to this community. I just wanted to let everyone know that I got my termination letter yesterday and enclosed in the envelope was a check for me. This check was something that was given to me for all my hard work. In the letter it states that it was hard for her to fire me. I know what I can do in this line of work. I was a great worker. I worked with great Nurses, but my hidden heath problems didn't help this situation. I am sorry if I have angered some of the people of this site. I just wanted to express my feelings.