Placed on administrative leave, reason unknown

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Vent/Trach, LTC.

Hi all! I have an issue & really need some advice. I've been having issues with a co-worker. I went to their supervisor to let them know basically, that person & I probably shouldn't be working together. The supervisor goes & tell the co-worker. Later on, i get a phone call saying I'm on leave pending an internal investigation. They didn't, couldn't or wouldn't tell me why, so I can only guess. I'm pretty confident my co-worker has something to do with it out of retailiation. Now today, I still haven't heard anything. I'm curious as to my rights as a nurse. Dont I have the right to know why I'm suspended? Im what cases don't I have that right?

Specializes in Med/Surg/ICU/Stepdown.

I suspect it depends on the state in which you're employed. If you work in a 'Right to Work' state, then your administrator can suspend you/fire you without any just cause. Just as you're entitled to quit without adequate reason/notice (regardless of if it makes you eligible for re-hire or not).

I think it was a mistake for you to tell another nurse's supervisor that you two should probably not be scheduled at the same time. Managers do not want to have to take employees' interpersonal relationship issues into consideration when scheduling. They need so many nurses each shift and that can be a challenge unto itself, much less if they have various nurses saying they don't want to be scheduled at the same time as another nurse.

The manager may also have felt that your going over this nurse's head to her supervisor was inappropriate.

Specializes in Gerontology.

You need to learn to work with everyone. You don't need to be best friends or even casual friends. But you do have to work with each other.

there are one or two nurses I do. It like working with. One of them talks and talks and talks until it makes my ears hurt. I just make sure to distance myself from her where possible and keep a bit more to myself.

if you start picking and choosing who you want to work with, you will be seen as the problem person

If your employer proceeds to termination, you will find out the reason why you were suspended in your letter of termination. Have a plan B just in case things don't work out with this employer.

Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.
I suspect it depends on the state in which you're employed. If you work in a 'Right to Work' state, then your administrator can suspend you/fire you without any just cause. Just as you're entitled to quit without adequate reason/notice (regardless of if it makes you eligible for re-hire or not).

Just for clarification the term is "employment at will". "Right to work" has to do with union jobs as in having the right to do the job without joining the union.

If you are part of a union, speak to a delegate. If you have , call and put them in the loop. Your parent company has a corporate compliance and/or an employee affairs department. Get them involved as well.

Sounds as if they are investigating something you brought up to them. You never know, perhaps both of you are on "administrative leave". They did not tell you how long this was going to last?

In the meanwhile, I would also think about your unemployment rights. You can't go without funds.

If you do not have malpractice insurance, then by all means contact an attorney. You need to protect your license.

Specializes in geriatrics.

Hopefully you have kept detailed documentation for yourself regarding specific incidents, dates, times.

Managers will investigate but the chances of you not working with this person are slim to none. You'll be advised to work things out.

Specializes in Vent/Trach, LTC.

It wasn't a nurse & when it comes to the other worker refusing to do something for a mutual patient, then it's a huge issue

Specializes in Vent/Trach, LTC.

They haven't told me anything whatsoever, just to wait for them to contact me. I haven't brought up anything to them & have nothing but good marks on my record. It's just nerve-wrecking

Specializes in Vent/Trach, LTC.

Well, I have never had any complaints about me before, but the other person frequently has issues with other co-workers. I just don't think its right that just becauae someone doesn't like me anymore, should mean they don't have to take care of our patients.

Well, I have never had any complaints about me before, but the other person frequently has issues with other co-workers. I just don't think its right that just becauae someone doesn't like me anymore, should mean they don't have to take care of our patients.

Then that is the issue you should have addressed. Telling a manager not to schedule you together is a different thing altogether, and if I were managing a unit, this would not fly with me, for reasons already stated in a number of posts above.

I hope you have documented all of the times and incidents where this person refused to do their job. That will help your case.

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