Terminated! Now what?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello all,

I was recently terminated from my previous employer of 6 years. I worked full time at the hospital as a nursing technician while I attended my LPN program.

I graduated from my LPN program in June and I am scheduled to take my boards on Oct 4th. I'm very nervous, feeling like I won't be able to land a job due to the termination. I was terminated because of one of the nurses I worked with. For some reason, she had something against me. She always had an attitude towards me. She strongly disliked the fact that every time she'd tell (not ask) me to do something, I had already done it. I knew how to utilize the computer to check orders and see what needed to be done for each patient. I usually didn't need anything to be asked of me. I was a very independent worker, but of course I always made myself available if any of the nurses needed assistance. One particular day, I was checking vital signs on one of this particular nurse's patients. The BP was 80/50 (significantly lower than the patient's baseline). I immediately called the nurse on her work cell phone (we all carry ASCOM cell phones around) and informed her of the BP. I proceeded to tell her that the patient had no reports of feeling dizzy or weak; the patient stated she felt fine. The nurse replied that she would recheck a manual blood pressure and hung up the phone. I then informed the unit that I was going to lunch.

A few days later, I arrived onto the unit to begin my 3PM shift and I was immediately told to go down to HR. In HR, I was brought into an office where my manager and HR director were seated. They told me that they were terminating me because the nurse stated that I did not inform her of an abnormally low BP and that when she asked me to recheck the BP, I stated that I was going to lunch. I was shocked and told them that this accusation was false. I told my story and they told me that they were going to place the termination on hold, while I sat in the waiting area. They called the nurse down to discuss with her and ask if what I was saying was true. After they had this discussion with the nurse, I was called back into the office to be told that the termination would stand. I have never felt so betrayed.

I'm not sure what to write a job application where it asks the reason for leaving employment & my eligibility for rehire. Will the HR department state that I was terminated? Luckily, I am still in touch with a few of the nurses that work in the hospital that are more than willing to give a reference so I'm not that worried about that. Will a background check show that I was terminated? Please help. I am looking for any advice on how to land my first nursing position after being terminated!

Specializes in med/surg, step down, I have seen it all.

I am so sorry this happened to you. In fact it happens many of times. But what makes me shocked is you have never been in trouble before so why would this one time get you fired. Also do they monitor those phones with calls and recordings. Ask. It wouldn't hurt. they could go back and listen to the conversation. Some nurses do not like techs ans treat them like dogs I have seen it a lot. It's not right. Also if you think you have been fired for an unjust reason then go to the EEOCC and file a complaint. This will protect you from further issues with getting other jobs and also bring it to your hospitals HR and manager that there was a problem and they didn't handle it right and should have.

On the question what to put on why you were let go. Just say a misunderstanding. Or Find a good wording for it. I cant think of one at the moment if I do I will comment back.

But don't sit back and not do anything. Seriously good EEOCC and see what you think. Good Luck. And once you get your LPN license getting a job want be hard.

Also usually if a company calls the HR department of the place you use to work at. They can only ask if you did work there. They are not allowed to ask specifics. If they do it is a big no no And remember there are good people out there to listen to what happened to you. It happens way to often.

You MUST grieve the termination.

Snap it up, you probably have a limited time frame.

What did you chart about notifying her about the blood pressure? Did any one over hear the phone conversation, etc.

Speak with an attorney, do not take this laying down.

Specializes in 7 Years ED, 6 Years TBI/PTSD unit VA.
5:10 am by
Been there,done that

You MUST grieve the termination.

Snap it up, you probably have a limited time frame.

What did you chart about notifying her about the blood pressure? Did any one over hear the phone conversation, etc.

Speak with an attorney, do not take this laying down.

Agreed with above....Its the old adage if not documented it didn't happen. I assume the pt did ok. As I said in other posts...coming from the airlines... I DID have several events where equipment (Engine) was destroyed (900,000.00$)...a coworker and the flt manager tried to pin it on me ended up I had the UNION defend me and I was exonerated of all charges (log book had a history of overheating all day in flight it was un-airworthy but the airline didn't want to change a 900,000 engine). Another example of your friendly hospital helping its employees.

I agree with the recommendations to pursue whatever grievance process is available to you. Would any of the other nurses be willing to speak on your behalf? If it finally comes down to "he said, she said" and they choose to side with the RN, I would ask if, given my years of good service and the subjective nature of the issue (taking her word over yours with no concrete proof either way), I might be allowed to resign rather than being terminated. That would at least avoid the termination on your record.

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Please note that EEOC is ONLY concerned with discrimination toward specific populations (age, gender, ethnicity, disability, etc.) If OP does not fit into one of the 'protected' categories, then this is not an EEOC issue.

I totally agree re: excessively harsh punitive actions.

Specializes in ICU.

You stated you "knew how to utilize the computer and check orders." Maybe this nurse felt you over-stepped your boundaries. She was the nurse, not you? You had not even taken boards yet? If you were working as a nursing assistant, it seems odd that you would be looking at the patient's orders in the computer.

You stated you "knew how to utilize the computer and check orders." Maybe this nurse felt you over-stepped your boundaries. She was the nurse, not you? You had not even taken boards yet? If you were working as a nursing assistant, it seems odd that you would be looking at the patient's orders in the computer.

Everywhere I've ever worked, with paper or computer charting, the nursing assistants had the same access to (viewing) the client's orders as anyone else. Nothing unusual about that.

Even if the OP was "overstepping her boundaries," that's a far cry from putting a client in danger to a degree worth firing ...

You stated you "knew how to utilize the computer and check orders." Maybe this nurse felt you over-stepped your boundaries. She was the nurse, not you? You had not even taken boards yet? If you were working as a nursing assistant, it seems odd that you would be looking at the patient's orders in the computer.

Not odd @ all, the EMR is designed for all staff to view. This sounds like you are in agreement with the staff nurse that basically framed the OP.

Specializes in ICU.

I simply said "maybe this nurse thought you over-stepped your boundaries." How did you turn this around to me being in agreement with the nurse? Our nursing assistants put in their vital signs, I&O's, etc., but they don't look at the orders, so I thought it was odd that this person was doing that, since she is not yet a nurse. The OP made a point of saying that she worked independently, looked at the computer, etc., and didn't need someone to tell her what to do. Maybe this particular nurse felt that she was over-stepping her role, since she was not working as the nurse. Also, if one of my nursing assistants saw an unusual blood pressure, they would have re-checked it manually themselves, before calling me. I was not there, and I certainly have no cause to be "in agreement" with anyone. I was simply offering another viewpoint in the matter.

Our EMR has different screens for different disciplines. When a CNA opens it up, they can only see orders that apply to them, such as routine vitals, turn Q2, diet orders, etc.

Anyway, OP, did you record the low BP and make a note that you notified the RN?

Specializes in geriatrics longterm care...Alzheimer's...

Damn ..sounds like u were snowballed .....by the whole damn bunch of them....on your next app use that place but there has to be a supervisor that loved u...that will say yes u worked there and u were good employer....not really sure if that state has this rule but my home state of Ohio the employer can't say if u were fired..at least I was told b4 cause I had similar experience.......

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