Is this fair move for my immediate supervisor to report me as noncompliant?

cleback · Nov 10, 2018

Well, you must have known it was an expectation otherwise why would you get recertified. I do come from a facility that suspends nurses that are expired on ACLS (maybe because that's when we do our BLS too)... I don't know if it's reported to hr, though.

I think if you get fired over it, that's harsh, but to have some kind of discipline probably was expected. Was your supervisor annoyed with covering you for the class? Are you generally up to date with other things and this was a one off?

dehlnmaria · Nov 10, 2018

Thanks for replying. Yes I'm certified to other things

JKL33 · Nov 10, 2018

I'm not sure if I am in the right place to ask this question: I was reported by my immediate supervisor to the human resources for being non compliant when I was late to turn in my PALS certificate (7 days to be exact) so Human resources had me signed a form stating my suspension or termination effective November 15. I work in PACU. I have not seen anything that PALS is a requirement in our PACU. Not in job descriptions. Not on the hospital policy or maybe I just missed it. Question: is this fair move for my immediate supervisor to report me as noncompliant? (I was scheduled to work but missed work to be recertified for PALS) Thank you.

This is hard to read. Are you saying that your non-compliance was reported to HR and they gave you until 11/15 to renew PALS or face suspension and possibly termination? So then you missed a scheduled shift in order to do your PALS recert?

The answer to your question is a matter of whether or not there indeed exists a previously-stated (or written) requirement for you to be PALS certified. If yes, then yes it's fair to have action taken regarding your non-compliance. If no, then I guess it's not that fair, but I find it hard to believe they would take this type of action with one person if no one in your unit is expected to maintain PALS certification....

dehlnmaria · Nov 10, 2018

Thank you. Yes you understand what I was trying to say. I did not go to work on the 7th because I took my certification and obtained the same day. I was therefore placed on administrative leave. I care back to work Friday and HR called me telling me they will pay my admin leave and but had me signed a form stating I have until the 15th to obtain certificate or I will be suspended without pay of course or terminated. I checked job descriptions (Unavailable online but under their job openings nothing was specified that PALS is a requirement. I have read in one ASPAN articles that PALS is not required but recommended in PACU. I have my BLS (requirement as stated in the job description) and ACLS. PALS ( but 7 days late..)

dehlnmaria · Nov 10, 2018

Everyone has PALS in our unit and are taking PALS. I would understand and would have taken the responsibility if I let my RN license expire without intention of renewing and still continue working or something in that matter... but my PALS was expired (7 days) and I got the noncompliance letter and suspension without pay (termination if not recertified) Anyway, I just felt that the response to my shortcoming was drastic but I guess it is what it is.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2018

Do you ever take children in your PACU?

dehlnmaria · Nov 10, 2018

Yes we do

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2018

Yes we do

Okay, if you get children in your PACU, it seems absolutely that PALS certification SHOULD be a requirement. I imagine that requirement is standard across all PACUs that treat children. Perhaps your supervisor's reaction to your late re-certification was a little harsh, but it seems odd that you would try to argue that it's not a requirement of your PACU. If it really isn't, they need to get it on the books pronto.

Editorial Team / Admin · Nov 10, 2018

None of our PACU job postings state PALS is required, because it isn't a requirement to be hired. However, it is a requirement to complete PALS prior to the end of orientation and to maintain it thereafter. Most likely, this is the way it's set up where you work.

dehlnmaria · Nov 11, 2018

Thank you

klone, MSN, RN · Nov 11, 2018

If the certification is a required part of your job description, then yes, it is reasonable to put you on unpaid administrative leave and receive disciplinary action if you allow it to expire.