Fired after verbal abuse from patient's family member

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

So in Nov 2023, I was verbally assaulted by a patient; 's family member (who called me an ***) of which I called security who escorted him out. I emailed management about the incident and put in my two-week notice (because I was frustrated with just the running of the department as a whole). I was pulled into the office by my managers who asked what happened (after they asked everyone present to report what they saw happened). They lectured me on how I should have handled the situation but also placated to drop my resignation which I did (I regret it now). I requested to change my status to part-time and was told that would not be possible until after the holiday craze. A few days after Christmas, I was terminated because of the incident. I was gobsmacked and felt blindsided and realized again that no job cares about you, I honestly don't know what to do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

You move on and believe with all your heart that this was not the position that was intended for you. If it was, you'd still be there. Managers like this will always do you a favor at some point in your career. You both will get what's coming to you. Question is, which of you will look forward to it.... ya know what I mean? Moving forward, if you didn't in this particular situation, email them a copy of the resignation as your paper trail to show that it was your idea to part ways with them. Back in the 80s, I was fired from a job three days after I had resigned and vacated the premises.

These shenanigans are nothing new because it just doesn't look good for a manager or organization to have high turnover under their watch. I will say, however, (if I made inferences to your post correctly), try to refrain from going all in about the way the organization is being managed when you're on your way out under your own terms. That may have been the defining moment for retaliation.

5
Up Vote Up Vote ×

A verbal assault means squat. Just because someone calls you a ***.. you over reacted. Bottom line is ... management  wants you gone. You are correct, NO job cares about you. Search for another  position.. you can find another job.

4
Up Vote Up Vote ×
ponderingDNP said:

You move on and believe with all your heart that this was not the position that was intended for you. If it was, you'd still be there. Managers like this will always do you a favor at some point in your career. You both will get what's coming to you. Question is, which of you will look forward to it.... ya know what I mean? Moving forward, if you didn't in this particular situation, email them a copy of the resignation as your paper trail to show that it was your idea to part ways with them. Back in the 80s, I was fired from a job three days after I had resigned and vacated the premises.

These shenanigans are nothing new because it just doesn't look good for a manager or organization to have high turnover under their watch. I will say, however, (if I made inferences to your post correctly), try to refrain from going all in about the way the organization is being managed when you're on your way out under your own terms. That may have been the defining moment for retaliation.

You are right, I should have kept my thoughts on management to myself, but we live and learn

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

If we apply for Unemployment Benefits and our former employer contests it, the case will be explored by an adjudicator.

Should the adjudicator rule in our favor, we not only receive benefits, but documentation by a governmental agency that we were unjustly terminated.

6
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I had my life threatened by a pt, they were filming me and the person single me out and said "I'm going to kill you "white *** ***  ***"  The cop that was there said, Those are just words. Amazing. I guess there has to be a serious injury for them to try and avoid one of us getting hurt seriously. terribly deflating ?

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

A reminder from the Terms of Service as several posts have been edited:

Quote

Foul Language / Profanity:

Nothing should ever be posted here that you would not say in front of a crowd of professionals. ALLNURSES.COM, INC. staff have the right to edit offensive language. (Including profanity cleverly disguised - such as different spelling or a mixture of letters and symbols.)

 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in nursing ethics.

Exactly what happened between the time of the incident, then your meeting with them, and the date you were "fired"?  This is important. Everything go nicely, or did you have issues with patients or other nurses, staff? If you were doing well, it is hard for me to understand why they "fired" you after they placated you to stay on. What is missing here? Or they encouraged you to work pqrt-time until they found a permanent replacement or until the holiday rush was over.They played sneaky, not honest.

   Your mistake, you realize, was overreacting too fast and reporting the comment. Then accepting a part-time situation when you wanted to quit. This is hindsight of course. What now? Create your shiny version of what happened, guilt-free, and apply elsewhere.

 

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

It's better that you were fired than resigning.  If you resign, you do not get unemployment benefits.  If previous employer tries to deny unemployment benefits because  you were fired "for cause," you can contest that and still get unemployment.  

Best wishes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So you're nonunion, got ***ed out by the patient, and you let the patient get the best of you. You'll get another job, but always remember, never lose your cool. I can't tell you how many times I saw red after being addressed as less than human. Sometimes it even helps to play stupid and let it happen. Never lose your cool. Honestly, my coworkers and nurse managers respect me more for staying calm. When someone is trying to get a rise out of you, don't give it to them.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

First, I want to say that I am sorry that happened to you, that was uncalled for to call you a N-g-er. If you are blk on this post, it hurt to have anyone call you that, let alone a patient family. That was unjustice for them to fire you, if u have money, it would great to get a consultation from a attorney because if they would have called a homophobic word, it would not be tolerated. You did nothing wrong, I would have security escort them out too or release from assignment bc of racial slurs. The only thing you did was took your resignation back but you probably saw the good in people. If you do not proceed with a lawyer bc of expenses, just move on and have awareness of being a minority especially blk working in healthcare. This was your 1st lesson, just stay low, do your job, apply no emotions with coworker or patients and go home because people do not understand unless they personally go through it. Good luck in your career and do not let haters bring you down, you are a nurse helping the sick, you earned it, it was not definitely given.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/ER/Med-Surg/Case Management/Manageme.
RNMoxie said:

 When someone is trying to get a rise out of you, don't give it to them.

Can't disagree with that but gosh!  It is so hard to do.  And especially, IMHO, as a younger person.  By the time one has reached my age, we've been called everything imaginable and it's easier to just roll our eyes. 

Honestly!  I can't imagine being a nurse in this day and age based on what many of you post.  

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment