Update on last weeks "Terminated?!"

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

Last week I wrote about being terminated after having a baby and not returning to work for 5 months.

I spoke to my DON and HR. I am in no way fired they said. They said they can't keep my file open that long being inactive. I can come back anytime I want, that I am a good worker and a good nurse. I just need to call when I am ready and reapply and go through the hiring BS again. There is a position for me whenever I am ready. They were both very friendly and asked about the baby and asked me to bring in some pictures of her, etc.

That makes me feel a little better. I still don't know if I am going to go back there when I am ready to reenter the workforce. My feelings are still hurt that they didn't call me to ask me my plans before deciding for me. (And for other reasons, the hospital is run by a yahoo, not sure if I still want to do med/surg, its a backwards hospital, no dr. in the hospital overnight, poor pay, etc)

I forgot to ask if I am entitled to my paid time off. I will call later and update all of you. Thanks for caring and giving me advice last week!

GooeyRN

[HisTreasure, BSN, RN]

I was terminated today for being out on disability d/t PTL since February. I was told that I can go back after my disability is over as well, but that they can no longer hold my position . I understand. Nursing is important, and they need someone to fill my position on a regular basis and not have to deal with registry or per diem. I plan on going back, it was a great place, but the whole thought of being "terminated" is kind of depressing...

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I was terminated today for being out on disability d/t PTL since February. I was told that I can go back after my disability is over as well, but that they can no longer hold my position . I understand. Nursing is important, and they need someone to fill my position on a regular basis and not have to deal with registry or per diem. I plan on going back, it was a great place, but the whole thought of being "terminated" is kind of depressing...

Im sorry to hear that you were terminated today due to disability. :oIts not being fired, but I guess it just hurts anyway. I feel rejected since they didn't call me to see if I wanted to come back before terminating me. Thats my issue.

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I just talked to HR and they will be sending me a check for my holiday and vacation time. Its not much, about 56 hours total, but it will still be a nice chunk of change. Diaper money. I can not have my sick time. That sucks since I was in the hospital for my daughters birth, but then that is my fault for not asking for it while I was in the hospital. I shouldn't have waited. Thats the second time now that I didn't use up my sick time before leaving a job. When will I learn? Thanks again to all who responded to this and my prior post from last week.

[TazziRN, RN]

Yeah, it's standard that you give up your sick time when you leave, no matter how you leave. And it's also not uncommon to just terminate you when you've been gone for a while, no matter what the reason. I think it might be because when you go on leave you should be aware that they can only gaurantee your position for a certain length of time. All the people I know who have been terminated because of this never got a warning.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

FMLA is for 12 weeks and then yes, the facilties can drop you. However, like you both have found out, it's not necessarily the end of the road - you can still reapply. Good luck and congrats to both of you.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

I think thats where a lot of people get in trouble. They rely on someone to tell them and dont actually READ the policy. I would bet the handbook or information you got when you were first hired has all that lined out and tells how long you can be off for disablility before they have to fill your position. It was probly discussed during your classroom orientation (review of policies, personel etc) when you started also.

Good luck with the baby, remember on those frustrating days they are only little once and love em while you can. Id love to have mine little again for a few more days to snuggle with.