Forced to resign, looking for new job

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Up until a couple weeks ago I was working for a great facility that paid pretty much top dollar. Unfortunately this facility had major turnovers where staff was concerned. I think in the 2.5 years I'd worked there, we went through about 7 different DON's. The first DON who hired me knew I cannot work days and wanted evenings or nights and she needed an evening shift nurse to cover weekends. I can only make up to $940/mo. to keep my SSDI benefits until I feel I can handle full time again. Every DON since then has worked with me, even with a census of 20 in a 60 bed facility.

Then here comes this new GN...they hired her right out of school. She made the remark to several of us nurses that she would never work weekends or nights. Oddly enough, she seemed to have brought staff with her from another facility because all of a sudden, there was a great influx of new LPN's. Anyway, this new DON called me on the phone and told me if I couldn't work days then she didn't need me. The reason I can't work 6a to 2p is because I take meds to help me sleep and I'm groggy in the mornings...the grogginess starts wearing off around noon. I tried to tell her this but she wouldn't listen and told me she had no openings for me, so I sighed and told her I quit.

I figured since nurses are in such demand that I could find another job right away...WRONG. I'm on several "lists" of employers in case an opening comes available...I guess people don't want to pay an RN to work evenings or nights...you'd think that is the one shift to have trouble covering.

I did put in an application at our local womens' prison. I have never worked with inmates before...if any of you out there have, let me know what job duties I could expect.

Thanks for listening and blessings, Michelle

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I may be wrong, but you might have a case w/ American w/Disability Act. I'm not sure who to check w/, but if you can pursue that, you might get your old job back if you want it, that is.

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i was thinking the same thing as the previous poster, the ADA is in place for just these things,,,best of luck

p.s. when i worked in the hospital i would of given anything for someone to WANT to do those shifts!!

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Wow. What a nasty perosn she is.

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Sounds just like LTC.

Good luck. You might like correction.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I've heard that working corrections is actually a pretty good gig.

Good luck!

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Specializes in behavioral health.

Maybe you should try at SSA first and find out about filing complaint with the ADA.

Also, what meds are you on for sleeping? I always preferred and still do prefer afternoon shift. And, it worked out at jobs that I've had because other nurses preferred the dayshift. I have insomnia issues as well. I take Lunesta and wake up feeling refreshed the next morning. No groggy hangovers that I experienced with OTC and Ambien.

I happen to prefer staying up until about 1 in the morning and waking at 9. However, I am taking a nursing refresher course and will have to change my sleep schedule around. I have been gradually going to bed earlier and waking up earlier. Like I said, I have no hangover effect with Lunesta, however, I just need to adjust my schedule. But, if I do not get enough of sleep,(

I do think this is discrimination, as you have seniority.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.

I agree with the others about goining the ADA route. In the meantime, why don't you try to sign up with a few per diem agencies so you can choose your hours and days of work? Some of the ones that come to mind are Nursefinders, Favorite, Maxim & there are many other more local agencies that you can probably find in your phone book. Many times when you do agency work, and the hospital likes you, they will work with you directly to arrange future shifts.

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Specializes in most of them.

Worked corrections for 7 + yrs. They are not likely to take someone with a pre existing medical condition to work "inside". You are at great risk while you are in there. Whether people want to acknowledge that or not. Also think of the type of people who are in there. There is no way to be friendly with them. That is a weakness. If you are good with a "stone face", able to be civil to scum, and able to say "NO" and do what is necessary the money is very good. But once that gate goes shut you are not in Kansas any more and it does affect you.

I didn't realize how much until I got out and worked with hospital patients again. One good benefit was that I don't intimidate anymore under any circumstances!!!

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

iwanna: You asked what sleep meds I'm on...currently I take 2 Sonata every night but it takes at least 3 hours to kick in and I'm going to have to ask my pdoc to switch me AGAIN.

I have been on: Trazodone, Ambien, Lunesta, Seroquel, Halcion, Vistaril, Valium, mega doses of benzos. My brain builds up tolerances and they quit working. I have a very active brain; it never quits. My dreams are so vivid and I remember them always; in fact, I used to keep a dream journal.

Nothing will work except for Seroquel...but it works TOO well. I'm out of it for days after taking it. I only take it prn now if I feel I'm becoming manic (I'm bipolar). When I take the lowest dose of Seroquel (25mg) I become a zombie; I even have to arrange alternate babysitters for my kiddos...that is how out of it I get.

I would love to get back on Halcion, but during a suicide attempt I ate a whole bottle of it and my pdoc won't give it back to me although I'm very stable and totally not suicidal at all. Back then when I took it I hadn't yet been diagnosed bipolar and was very unstable (back in the '90's before I ever had kids)...however, it is on my record. Halcion for me was like Ambien for most...within half hour of taking it, I was asleep and would sleep for 8 hours and wake up feeling completely refreshed.

Anyway, my mom and I got into a huge argument today; I want to go back for my BSN and possibly an MSN too so I can teach or maybe someday be an adult nurse practitioner. We live in the middle of nowhere and can't move so to get a job doing either I'll probably have to commute...my mother is very worried about that with me...I really think she is afraid we will move away though.

Thanks for all the great advice and replies...I wrote down the toll free number for the ADA and I plan to call corporate and tell them what they did to me at that facility...I also plan to mention employee discrimination. I loved my job and of course I would go back if they told me I could. They did pay me really well.

Blessings, Michelle

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

may i suggest you talk with your doctor about sleep lab study. remembering very vivid dreams indicitive of poor sleep quality. the right diagnosis makes all the difference.

[color=#0000cc]does bipolar disorder affect dreaming - sleep disorders - vivid dreams

good sleep info: http://www.sleepnet.com/

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Update: I contacted the administrator of the facility and he was very vague with me and refused to give me the coporate's phone number...but I found it anyway and called corporate and told them what happened. They sounded really concerned and told me they would call me back tomorrow.

Then, just to see what rights I had, I contacted the ADA, and just now, the EEOC. I can download a form and file a claim. I thought I'd wait to file anything until I hear what corporate has to say about it. All I want is my job back...and just one weekend a month on evenings or nights. If they say no, I'm filing the claim and also consulting with an attorney who specializes in disability stuff. They haven't heard the last of me yet!

Blessings, Michelle

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