I lost my job.

Published

The DON approved me 2 weeks vacations and I traveled outside of the USA to visit a sick family member. For reasons beyond my control that I can not describe here I could not come back on time. I took 3 weeks but I had called her to let her know about my problem. Upon my return I when to see her and she told me that I was terminated for voluntary resignation. She offered me to work per Diem. I am a very responsible person. I have been a nurse for more than 13 years and this is the first time that something like this happen to me. Also, I worry that this is going to affect me with prospective employers. Please any advice?:crying2:

Were you gone for 3 weeks or 5 weeks?

If you were only gone 3 weeks (one extra week) then yes, that is pretty crappy. If you were gone 5 weeks I can see why they would have needed to fill your position.

I got approved 2 weeks and I took 1 extra week. Thanks for your reply.

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I have worked in many places where the rule is only 2 weeks of vacation at a time...didn't matter if you were the ED, the DNS, a staff nurse...a CNA...2 weeks only. We had lots of people travel home to a different country. They would stay away 3 or 4 or 5 weeks and they all got their jobs back...well they used to before I showed up. But, if you called and explained you couldn't get back? I'm a hard ass and I wouldn't have fired you.

Thanks CapeCod Mermaid.

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Apply for Unemployment.

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Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU, Psych, Med-surg...etc....

That is a shame. When my mother was sick I took two weeks to go and take care of her because she was hospitalized. After about a week or so, it was determinied she didn't have much time left so I called my job and told them that I needed to stay with my mother and I would not be able to tell them how long that would be. I told them that if they needed me to resign or whatever I would eunderstand but that I had to be with her for her last days/weeks...my DON said "Take as much time as you need. If there is anything we can do we certainly will. Your job will be here for you when you get back." She called me frequently, as did others I worked with to find out how mom was doing. They even took up money at work for me because at that time, I had no leave and was pretty strapped. I will never forget that kindness. I am sorry that you had to loose your job over something like that.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

We've had people apply for and receive unemployment even though they were Per Diem. Can't lose anything by trying.

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Specializes in Med/Surg and ANCC RN-BC.

I am so sorry. However, I don't think she has the right to fire you like that when you called her to let her know what's up.

I don't think this will affect you finding and getting a new job though. as long as you explain what happened, I'm sure they will understand.

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

I have had a couple of employees who were in this situation, and as long as they communicated with me there were no negative consequences. One of my colleagues had an employee who took off without approved leave and with no communication (other than faxing his leave request in after he had already left the country) and that was a different story.

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.
Thanks for your reply. I have a question. Can I still apply for Unemployment compensation even though she offered me per Diem. Thanks again.

Yes you can. Apply ASAP.

ETA: You can apply under these circumstances in my state. I don't know where you are, but you should try anyway.

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That is a shame. When my mother was sick I took two weeks to go and take care of her because she was hospitalized. After about a week or so, it was determinied she didn't have much time left so I called my job and told them that I needed to stay with my mother and I would not be able to tell them how long that would be. I told them that if they needed me to resign or whatever I would eunderstand but that I had to be with her for her last days/weeks...my DON said "Take as much time as you need. If there is anything we can do we certainly will. Your job will be here for you when you get back." She called me frequently, as did others I worked with to find out how mom was doing. They even took up money at work for me because at that time, I had no leave and was pretty strapped. I will never forget that kindness. I am sorry that you had to loose your job over something like that.

This shows the difference between two types of people found in the world. One week that you informed her about? How petty an excuse to pull something she had in the back of her mind, getting rid of a full time, benefitted employee.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
I have a question. Can I still apply for Unemployment compensation even though she offered me per Diem?

And a good question it is, pretty70.

It would be a good strategy to apply for Unemployment Compensation. If you don't make enough money working Per Diem, that meets your base benefit amount, Unemployment Compensation will do just that- compensate you. Until you find a full-time job (assuming that you want to), these prospective benefits will see you through.

Applying for and recieving Unemployment Compensation may also motivate your Former Employer to utilize your services.

Once again, good luck to you, pretty70.

Dave

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Thanks to all of you for your support. I will apply for Unemployment tomorrow. I'll keep you informed.

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Specializes in ICU, School Nurse, Med/Surg, Psych.

I have always lived in right-to-work states (Iowa and Arizona) so the employer doesn't need a reason to fire you. I've been fired 2 times in the past 5 years - it makes it a little harder sell to get an interview but if you really are good then they know it and job offers come. Take it as a lesson learned -I am sure that when airtraffic was grounded for the non-existant volcano ash that many travelers didn't get back to work on time -did you call only once? did you keep them up to date daily on what you were doing to try and get back? did you try to mitigate their loss at all? I know it sounds like not your responsibility but if you really liked the job there might have been more you could have done to keep it instead of taking it for granted that they would hold it for you. sorry to be so harsh but been there, done that and I miss that job a lot.

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