I quit my job as a hemo and peritoneal dialysis nurse.
I didn't want to do it. However, my boss has been getting meaner, more and more inappropriate and behaving aggressively. This last incident, she went too far.
I submitted in writing my concerns about the way the hemo unit is being run. As a hemo charge nurse, it is my responsibility to report anything that I feel jeopardizes pt care.
Well, my boss went ballistic. Yelling, screaming and putting me down- to make matters worse, she did this in front of other staff. I had expected that she would be concerned about problems on the unit and would respond professionally. I was totally shocked at her behavior. It was really an awful scene.
I gave my notice after this episode- then had to go back to the hemo unit, and continue charging! We were having a rough day, all kinds of things happening. I had pages out to three doctors at once. However, I was proud of myself at how I handled everything on the unit, after having just been verbally attacked by my boss and resigning from my job.
At the end of the day, my boss called me in to her office saying that I could change my mind and stay, and that I could come back and work for her in the future if I wanted to.
I told her that her behavior had been really unprofessional, and that she should not have insulted or yelled at me- especially in front of other staff. I also told her that she was "messing up the unit."
She really hit the roof when I said that. Her face turned red and she started yelling "How dare you say that to me! How dare you tell me how to do my job!"
She then ran out of her own office, and left me standing there.
I went back to my office to do some paperwork, and she came in and told me that I didn't have to finish my notice, since I am "prn" (I'm not prn, I was part-time 30 hrs a week, per our oral agreement).
She then said "I can cover your shifts. You can just leave today, and we'll call that good."
I replied. "Okay. We'll call it good."
I stayed another two hrs to finish my paperwork, to pack up my stuff, and say goodbye to some of my totally shocked co-workers. I passed my boss in the hall several times. She would not make eye contact with me.
I enjoyed dialysis, but the situation at the unit was becoming intolerable.
Two nurses who still work there have contacted me and told me that they, too, are looking to leave. However, they have families to support, and one has a very serious on-the-job back injury, which she is going to be having surgery for.
Ironically, when this nurse was injured, the company discovered that they had neglected to purchase any insurance of any kind to cover workers injured on-the-job. (Texas does not require Workman's Comp).
This nurse was threatened with loss of her job by our boss, when she had to call in after getting cortizone injections in her back. However, a tech who is one of the boss' pets was injured (NOT on-the-job) and the boss created an administrative position for him when he told her he could no longer work on the hemo unit.
This is just one example of the cronyism and favoritism that goes on.
A couple of weeks ago, a tech came on to the hemo unit and turned all the lights off. This was with 21 pts dialyzing! This tech said "I talked to (boss' name) adn we're going to be turning the lights off to save money. "
There are windows on the unit, but it was raining, very dark and cloudy. I told her this was not safe, and that we had to turn the lights back on. This tech just walked away from me. I was not charge that day. I approached the charge and told him we had to have the lights on. He said "I can't deal with this right now." I then approached the boss and told her that if a pt were injured or had a complication during tx, all they would have to tell a lawyer is that "It happened after they turned off the lights on the hemo unit" and it would be all over for us.
She said "Okay, I guess you'd better turn the lights back on."
This is just one example of the rediculous things that go on there.
I am grateful for all the training and skills I obtained from this employer, but I just could not deal with being treated the way I was.
It was so hard seeing the pts that last day, knowing I would not be seeing them anymore. They must have wondered why I was more huggy than usual with them.
The first couple of days after I left, I was very proud of myself for having stood up for myself. I have let employers walk on me in the past, and have regretted it.
Now, however, I'm feeling mad and sad.
I miss my patients.
:angryfire
hoolahan, ASN, RN
1 Article; 1,721 Posts
I agree, kudos for standing up for yourself. However, you do need to get it in writing that you were not "fired" or left without adequate notice. The same thing happened to me at a job once. I immediately sent a registered letter asking for clarification of whether I had been fired, and what would my re-hire status be.
If you had vacation time, you deserve it, and should fight for it.
I also would write it all up and send your concerns and copies of all your notes to her to HR. I would be sure to name the witnesses who saw her blow-up at you, so they can be contacted and interviewed.
I hate to tell you, but on Friday, my supervisor was reamed out, unfairly, at work for not keeping on top of a project, AFTER SHE MISSED 7 DAYS OF WORk BECAUSE HER HOUSE BURNED DOWN (!!!!!!), and she walked out, called HR and went out on stress leave. I am doubtful we will ever see her back again. It's not the first time she has taken ****, but the way it was done, on top of what happened, it was just uncalled for, and I feel so badly for her.
Best of luck to you wherever your journey takes you next. Remember, when one door closes another usually opens. Stay positive, we are all here to support you. You are a good nurse and acted as an advocate for your staff and patients, you did nothing wrong!