I just got fired... what the hell happened?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Ok , this came out of left field... at least to ME!

I was fired today. Whoa, the reality is setting in now... or is that the wine I'm drinking? UGH.

Got called into a meeting w/the supervisor and HR (or, as I like to refer to them, INhumane resources).

Suddenly - thrust into my lap, are allegations of patient safety issues, complaints made by my coworkers (of a different shift).

Ok.. you're wondering.. "then why are you so shocked?"

Here's the kicker...

THEY ARE ALL, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM, LIES LIES LIES!!!!

I normally would question a post where someone stated all complaints against them were lies.. heck, I questioned my own SELF... Did I really do that? Could I have forgotten NOT taking care of a pressure 210/100? Did I NOT give an anti-inflammatory to a pt w/COPD??? Did I sign off meds that I hadn't actually GIVEN??? NEVER.. I addressed each and every one of those issues.. AND documented in notes. *****!!!

Holy crap... I've heard of being bamboozled - but never thought this would exist in a supposed caring profession.

Never thought *I* would be on the receiving end of these falsehoods!!! :eek:

And yet, here I sit - without a job - a worse yet, without hope for this profession. WHY are some people so back-biting and just plain EVIL?

And.. WHY .. WHY is their word TAKEN for truth, without being thoroughly investigated? This isn't right, it shouldn't be allowed to happen.. yet it does.

I'm happy for the time off, believe me.. I could use a break. But, damn, the humiliation - the second guessing myself - seeing those s.o.b's act as though they're so righteous, and faultless.. when.. damn, where the HELL is their conscience?

Ok.. so now I feel like a failure - like I've actually been a horrible nurse - but why can't I make myself believe that? WHY do I still find my actions correct in proper and DAMNIT GOOD care of my patients!????

Ugh.. maybe it IS the wine.. :uhoh3:

Have you contacted an employment attorney? I would especially to protect yourself should they report you to the BON. It would be best to put your pevious employer on notice ASAP that you have hired professional help here should they go after your license or try and prevent you from obtaining new employment.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele/SNF-LTC/Supervisory.

Really? You don't think that will make "more trouble" for me?

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Really? You don't think that will make "more trouble" for me?

Follow the advice of your attorney.

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Specializes in Medical Assisting.

Just when things look the bleakest, when humanity seems to have nothing humane left at all, I come to this site, seeing nurses supporting nurses and it's completely moving and overwhelming to see the caring for peers, the hearts being poured out, souls devastated by loss and hurt by malicious ulterior motives. I am undeniably apologetic that this tragedy happened to you. Sometimes, there is a silver lining in that cloud. Take heed of the good advice bestowed upon you for you were brought to this site for a reason. Others shared themselves for a reason. This bright light I see at the end of the tunnel of humanity is what keeps me hoping against hope, that there is something left to care for in this world outside of myself. Thank you all. :heartbeat:D:hug:

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Follow the advice of your attorney.

Agreed. Make the call and follow their advice.

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I hope I didn't come across as discouraging anyone from hiring an attorney. I think an attorney would be an assest in a situation like this. However, if you want to sue anyone, and have an attorney work on a contingency basis (no fee unless you collect a settlement), you most likely wont be able to do that in this situation, IF you are in an "at will" employment State. I'm not sure how things work in a non-at will employment State, since I don't live in one. But there is certainly nothing stopping you from hiring an attorney, except cost. I've found paying an attorney to be undoable after I've just lost my job. Once, when I was fired for refusing to go along with a physician's blatent discrimination against members of a particular religious group, I was easily able to obtain an attorney on contingency, and got a very big settlemet. This physician was so arrogant he didn't bother to hide his attitudes, so me winning that one was a nobrainer. Sometimes it boggles my mind I've survived in this profession as long as I have.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele/SNF-LTC/Supervisory.

Update:

Still unemployed, but have been approved for unemployment benefits. That helps, a little. Emotionally, I'm still a bit down. Have had one interview which was kind of a fizzle. Did not feel confident when going into it, and didn't help that the recruiter who'd set me up with this interview gave me the wrong info about the job and it's requirements. I felt like an idiot.. UGH. Am not going to work with that company again!

I've applied to quite a few jobs - a few call backs. None after they've (and I'm assuming here) called my previous employer. I did hire a company to do a reference check at my previous employer, and the results were not good. One supervisor stated that they would not hire me back right now, but maybe in 5 years. This supervisor also mentioned that I'd had an injury - which I thought they couldn't mention, but turns out they can. I did leave a message at HR to please not mention that, b/c it was not relevent. If they are, I don't know. Maybe have a follow up company do that ref check again.

Now I have come to find out - and this hurts, that a coworker who I had gotten together with outside of work a couple of times and had considered a friend, was one of the nurses who'd filed a report against me. I had a suspicion since she hadn't called me once after this had happened to see how I was doing. Also - discovered one of the other nurses who'd lied about the B/P medication issue, was homing in on a position on the shift I'd worked. There weren't any openings. Could this have been a motivator?

SO.. I guess you really can't trust anyone. Incredible!

I'd have an easier time letting this "go" if I had employment.! Quite bummed and finding myself questioning the whole nursing route.

OH, and there is no legal recourse. At will company. However; I did make mention to management about two "suggestions" I'd had about patient care.. never heard an answer, and I don't really believe this would have caused feather ruffling.. but, as I've found out.. things aren't always as they seem.

I have to thank you all again for your support!! I sooooo appreciate it!!! You've NO idea. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
One supervisor stated that they would not hire me back right now, but maybe in 5 years. This supervisor also mentioned that I'd had an injury - which I thought they couldn't mention, but turns out they can. I did leave a message at HR to please not mention that, b/c it was not relevent. If they are, I don't know. Maybe have a follow up company do that ref check again.

Unfortunately, they can mention the fact that you were injured on the job as that is something that actually happened. HIPAA only protects information regarding your medical treatment for said injury.

Now I have come to find out - and this hurts, that a coworker who I had gotten together with outside of work a couple of times and had considered a friend, was one of the nurses who'd filed a report against me. I had a suspicion since she hadn't called me once after this had happened to see how I was doing. Also - discovered one of the other nurses who'd lied about the B/P medication issue, was homing in on a position on the shift I'd worked. There weren't any openings. Could this have been a motivator?

Possibly. But when you've just been fired, it's very easy to lash out and speculate that someone was out for your blood or wanted something. She may have been evil and aiming for the shift...or her filing a report may have had nothing to do with the shift. And sadly, you'll never know for certain: even if you were to ask her directly, I'll bet you'll be second-guessing anything she tells you, wondering if she's really telling you the truth. As hard as it may be to do, you're better off letting it go and moving on to the next job.

I'm sorry you got fired. I hope things turn around for you soon!

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Holy cow. I must be really naive. When I read the OP I though....yeah, here we go, she must have done something. I was highly skeptical. Continuing to read on, I'm astounded. The same types of stories over and over. I can't believe it is really like that out there. Scary.

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This has happened to me, and more than once in my 25 years as a practicing nurse. Its really painful, I know. Usually its because you've ruffled someone's feathers somewhere, usually a person in a position of power. Had you noticed anything unethical going on at your place of employement and spoken up about it to someone? It could be anyone really, who might have ratted you out. Once I agreed with an upset family member that the care her father had been receiving at our hospital was substandard.

You don't exactly endear yourself to anyone when you use words like that.You're speaking to an upset family and use words like that?Tact is called for, because like it or not,you are on the same ship as your employers.

In the end you got out, did the patient recieve above standard care?

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Specializes in LTC.
Update:

I did hire a company to do a reference check at my previous employer, and the results were not good.

you can do that? i never knew, what company did you go through?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.
Update:

Still unemployed, but have been approved for unemployment benefits. That helps, a little. Emotionally, I'm still a bit down. Have had one interview which was kind of a fizzle. Did not feel confident when going into it, and didn't help that the recruiter who'd set me up with this interview gave me the wrong info about the job and it's requirements. I felt like an idiot.. UGH. Am not going to work with that company again!

I've applied to quite a few jobs - a few call backs. None after they've (and I'm assuming here) called my previous employer. I did hire a company to do a reference check at my previous employer, and the results were not good. One supervisor stated that they would not hire me back right now, but maybe in 5 years. This supervisor also mentioned that I'd had an injury - which I thought they couldn't mention, but turns out they can. I did leave a message at HR to please not mention that, b/c it was not relevent. If they are, I don't know. Maybe have a follow up company do that ref check again.

Now I have come to find out - and this hurts, that a coworker who I had gotten together with outside of work a couple of times and had considered a friend, was one of the nurses who'd filed a report against me. I had a suspicion since she hadn't called me once after this had happened to see how I was doing. Also - discovered one of the other nurses who'd lied about the B/P medication issue, was homing in on a position on the shift I'd worked. There weren't any openings. Could this have been a motivator?

SO.. I guess you really can't trust anyone. Incredible!

I'd have an easier time letting this "go" if I had employment.! Quite bummed and finding myself questioning the whole nursing route.

OH, and there is no legal recourse. At will company. However; I did make mention to management about two "suggestions" I'd had about patient care.. never heard an answer, and I don't really believe this would have caused feather ruffling.. but, as I've found out.. things aren't always as they seem.

I have to thank you all again for your support!! I sooooo appreciate it!!! You've NO idea. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Hey. This has happened to me, a real PITA patient I nursed one night (everyone hated him), made up all these lies about me, I told the supervisor that night, no support, etc, etc, so I was asked not to go back to one facility & I said don't worry I request NEVER to go back again. It just plain sucked, badly.

The point is do YOU feel you made any mistakes, or do you feel u need to do extra training etc? If not try to move on, I know it's hard & u lose confidence, I questioned everything I did after that one complaint & I felt scared to touch anything again. But I went thru an agency who were very supportive, & work at private hospitals mainly. Can u do something like that to get your confidence back? Most agencies also do training courses in different areas, so contact them & find out what they offer & where u can get work.

Don't worry, u will be OK and will find a better job. You've got to stay positive, sometimes it's the hardest thing in the world to do, but just keep pushing that self doubt & negative energy away!

Let us know how u go on re getting other work.

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