I also posted this in the MICU/SICU forum but there's more traffic here:
I need some advice. I was terminated from my previous job in Jan 06 for what they deemed "unsafe patient care" I gave a patient xanax and restoril together as they were ordered PRN. My bosses thought that was wrong and I was terminated. Other RN's and physicians that I've spoken to don't seem to think that I did anything wrong and that management was LOOKING for a reason to fire me and used that incident to do so. Let me add that the patient was not harmed from the medications.
I'm an RN of 10 yrs with CCRN certification as well as my BSN. Been in critical care for over 5 yrs now.
Before getting hired in my current facility, I went on three job interviews. I was up front with the managers on the reason I was terminated. One manager basically offered me the job PENDING Human Resources background checks...then I'd get a letter in the mail saying "thanks but no thanks". I know my previous employer has me listed as "DO NOT HIRE". I also know that LEGALLY they are only allowed to tell prospective employers that I worked there from this date to that date. I've been told that legally they are not allowed to tell that I'm not eligible for rehire.
I've been at my current job for 18 months now. Basically, I cannot stand it here any longer. This place has a horrible reputation in the community in which it is located and I can see why. I am frequently left alone in the ICU with a patient. The last time this happened, my patient crashed on me at 6am! I voiced my concerns and was basically told to "put up and shut up". Our staffing policy states there should at least be an LPN or an Nurse Aide with the RN when there is only one patient but this rarely happens.
My boss doesn't even think that critical care is a priority over the med-surg/detox/medical-psych/OB floors. When we get slammed with admits, we are told to "deal with it, it's ICU" And there is NEVER more than 2 Nurses for up to 6 patients. SO if we are full, we have 3 patients each and IF we are lucky, we get to keep our nurse aide (if there's one scheduled). Usually she is pulled to another unit because their need is "greater" according to the nursing supervisors.. Last fall we had at one time FIVE patients on ventilators. I work straight nights and there is NO respiratory therapy on at night so we are responsible to do our own vent checks/ nebulizer treatments/setting up a vent if needed.
Our boss also runs another unit in the facility and spends most of her efforts dealing with their problems so basically the ICU is neglected. There are many issues that need to be dealt with by HER the BOSS but aren't. Too many issues for me to address here. But enough that makes me Not able to stand working there any longer.
Unfortunately for me, since I was fired from the last place I worked, it's basically made me unhireable anywhere else. I work in a small city. So people at my last place know people at the other hospitals in this town. I applied at the other large hospital in town and they won't even return my calls or emails anymore. I also applied at the VA hospital back in February, they sent my current boss a reference letter to fill out on me back in June and yet I still haven't heard anything from the VA. I know that the one nursing sup had an interview with them this past week as she told me so.....so again I am wondering if I've been blackballed at the VA now too!!
I even went an applied at a hospital that I worked at 5yrs ago......just did that this past week.
I don't know what else to do. It's disheartening to think that ONE incident is defining my career! Any advice for me? If you've read this far thanks. I am at my wits end and am very sickened at the fact that I may be stuck at my current place because of that one thing.
I'm so sorry, having been in management, I can tell you that in the southern area of the country where I'm at the HR department in a 75 mile radius DO talk. In my area this would confirm your worst fears. People across the country do not understand that north east nursing is tight, closing down and tenuous at times, depending upon the area.
so I do know what you are saying. Without sounding flip, have you considered leaving the area? Easy for me to ask, but I have moved many times and prospered. Traveling is one option, getting references from where you have worked, a name and number is how out of state calls, these hold very serious weight. you may need a restart, if your finances and place now allow you to pack and restart. I know not true for everyone, but it is an option, surely, someone you worked with will provide you with references.
You can't survive the financial struggle with the firing, It's easy to say get a lawyer, harder to pay for.
I wish you well, sometimes a new start is a beautiful thing. If you can't do this consider transferring to another area in you facility, you may not have ICU but you may have peace.
I'm so sorry, having been in management, I can tell you that in the southern area of the country where I'm at the HR department in a 75 mile radius DO talk. In my area this would confirm your worst fears. People across the country do not understand that north east nursing is tight, closing down and tenuous at times, depending upon the area.
so I do know what you are saying. Without sounding flip, have you considered leaving the area? Easy for me to ask, but I have moved many times and prospered. Traveling is one option, getting references from where you have worked, a name and number is how out of state calls, these hold very serious weight. you may need a restart, if your finances and place now allow you to pack and restart. I know not true for everyone, but it is an option, surely, someone you worked with will provide you with references.
You can't survive the financial struggle with the firing, It's easy to say get a lawyer, harder to pay for.
I wish you well, sometimes a new start is a beautiful thing. If you can't do this consider transferring to another area in you facility, you may not have ICU but you may have peace.
Like I've said earlier, moving is not an option.....I've got a child and a spouse....The ONLY other areas I'd consider moving to are ER or OB and my current manager is the boss of OB.....I have also heard from other people here that they won't allow people to transfer from one unit to another:o
So, until I get an interview and a job offer somewhere....I guess I'll stick it out. I like most of my coworkers, and that's a good thing right??
Your story somehow landed on my desk (for reasons unknown). Let me get straight to the point. If you really think and are very sure that you did nothing wrong, you can file a law suit against your previous employer. (YES you can sue the devil! I heard on the radio that a US senator filed a lawsuit against God for bringing death and destruction to people. Something like that. Just to prove that anyone can sue anybody. It is crazy, I know. In your case, it is brilliant.)
Why run away when you can fight back? I saw on the discovery channel how the people from Flight 93 (the 9/11plane that didn't reach its destination, thanks to the courageous people on board) fought back because they know if they do nothing, they'll tragically die a 100% without sense. (And your career will, too.)
If you know where you stand, you can always win a battle. If you can prove your point, go on. Consult a lawyer, have some medical professionals to back you up just in case the lawyer needs to further his understanding of the incident.
Also, I saw on a certain state's board of nursing website (okay, it is California) that you can write to the board of nursing if you have complaints against a nurse, employer, etc. Maybe you have that in your state as well. Your employer has done illegal moves, right? Then tell the board that your stupid boss is crushing your career down to hell and that you can prove your competency. Present your case, bring your lawyer, drag your medical professional friends, the President of the United States, anyone who can help you (or, take the NCLEX again for example? If you'll be required to do so and if you really are that passionate. But just don't fail the exam for your sake, okay.) Just to prove you can safely practice your profession.
Like I've said earlier, moving is not an option.....I've got a child and a spouse....The ONLY other areas I'd consider moving to are ER or OB and my current manager is the boss of OB.....I have also heard from other people here that they won't allow people to transfer from one unit to another:o
So, until I get an interview and a job offer somewhere....I guess I'll stick it out. I like most of my coworkers, and that's a good thing right??
Instead of listening to the rumor mill, go to HR, you discussion is "supposed to be private, or don't give your name", or look up the internal transfer policy. Try the ER, call the manager and ask if you can pick up some extra shifts there. Then you can see if you like it, get the staff to love you and ask you to switch and come on board. Then you can play dumb... "are you hiring?, If I talked to the manager would you give a reference?"
Half the problem is getting in, if you pick up time, help, be a team player... they'll want to snatch you right up.
Zookeeper3
1,361 Posts
I'm so sorry, having been in management, I can tell you that in the southern area of the country where I'm at the HR department in a 75 mile radius DO talk. In my area this would confirm your worst fears. People across the country do not understand that north east nursing is tight, closing down and tenuous at times, depending upon the area.
so I do know what you are saying. Without sounding flip, have you considered leaving the area? Easy for me to ask, but I have moved many times and prospered. Traveling is one option, getting references from where you have worked, a name and number is how out of state calls, these hold very serious weight. you may need a restart, if your finances and place now allow you to pack and restart. I know not true for everyone, but it is an option, surely, someone you worked with will provide you with references.
You can't survive the financial struggle with the firing, It's easy to say get a lawyer, harder to pay for.
I wish you well, sometimes a new start is a beautiful thing. If you can't do this consider transferring to another area in you facility, you may not have ICU but you may have peace.