Is this OK ?

[J'sGirl82]

I guess I need an objective opinion. I picked up a second job as a CNA in an LTCF. I work FT as a CNA in L&D at a nearby hospital. I felt that adding experience to my resume would help, and, plus, I know that I'm coming up on a time in my life where working FT is NOT going to be a possibility, at the LTCF, it wouldn't be because they seem to have a lot more help. So....I was working there for like 2 weeks. One day, I was told by the LPN/LVN on my floor to go down to another hall that I had NEVER previously been on. I hadn't gotten all the residents names down or anything. I wasn't mad about the move, but felt the temporary adjustment was prejudice, sorry to throw that in there, but let's face it......that stuff happens a lot. So I go down to this new hall, I ask the other CNA for the pertiant information I would need to which she responded " If you don't know, you ain't the one they shoulda sent". OK THANKS FOR YOUR HELP AND KINDNESS. So, I go down to answer a call light. I nearly drop this resident because she is convinced she can walk. ( Not a possibility- believe me). I go down to the charge nurse on the new hall and ask for her assistance in answering a few questions. She tells me "I'm in the middle of something, can it wait?" I walked away. I go down to MY charge nurse who sent me down there in the first place, and ask her if she's sure I'm the one that has to go, explain to her that I don't feel qualified to be down there, and nobody is offering me any assistance whatsoever. She tells me to "deal with it". Apparently, she ran to the DON at this facility. Then the DON apparently sends out her "gofer" who tells me to go home. OK. So I leave half way through my shift. I return a few hours later, determined to find out if I have a job, and if I do, find out why I'm the one who was punished for asking simple questions, I am armed only with a letter of resignation. I go into the facility, right to the DON's office. I ask if I can talk to her, she tells me "about what ?" All the while of course she's on her Cell Phone. I interpret her rude behavior as "well..you're fired". So I ask her if she'd like a letter of resignation, to which she says "No but I'll take it anyway". I walk from her office down to the Payroll office to ensure the corrections that I needed on my paycheck were accepted. The DON follows me down there. I get in there, she says " Why are you still in my facility?" I say "I'm fixing some payroll issues, then rest assured, I will leave". Of course, she couldnt' confront me by herself, she brought the same Teeny-bopper into the payroll office with her. Nice huh ? So I guess I got fired, although, I was never told those words. But now, I guess....it's like a blow to my pride. Was I right ? I feel like by not knowing any of the information I needed to, I really was endangering the residents. From the bottom of my heart, that's how I feel. What if somebody would've fallen ? Or worse ? Is this what the nursing proffession is like ? If so, I'm running the other way....fast. What do I do ? Do I just forget it and move along or what ?

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

My first thoughts are that you are best out of there. It sounds like they didn't care much about you anyway. So, adios, so long, goodbye. It was only a part time job, right? I wouldn't even report it on a job application if I was worried about them saying I was fired. However, I hope you kept a copy of the letter of resignation. You just will put down that you resigned and if you ever find out that this facility says differently you challenge them about it. Being asked to clock out and go home, especially by a go-for is NOT the same as being fired. It's more like a suspension. If you had not come in later that day, the DON would have called you in for a meeting on another day to discuss the situation. I've been in supervision and management in the hospitals and LTC enough to know that. At this point I would probably write a really intimidating letter to the DON with a copy to the people in personnel that recounts events of the day. (1) you were told to go home and by who (2) you came back with a letter of resignation and quit after the DON wouldn't talk with you about the situation. and (3) you expect your personnel record to show that you resigned voluntarily. Keep a copy. I would send it by certified mail with a return receipt to prove they got it. That will help in the future if they try to pull a fast one on you like try to say you were fired. You'll have copies of your letter of resignation and the letter and return receipt advising them you quit voluntarily and were never told you were fired to prove to anyone that you resigned voluntarily.

The fact is that when you go looking for your first RN job, the prospective employers may look at your past work record, but are mostly going to be interested in what you did in nursing school and what your nursing instructors have to say about you. As for former employers they might be interested only in your attendance and if you followed rules.

[J'sGirl82]

I think that's the thing that really bothered me. I haven't seen a bit of paperwork whatsoever. I didn't know who the teeny bopper was, or what her title or position is. But I will take your advice. I will write the letter right now, and get it off in the mail tomorrow. Thanks for the advice

[Kim O'Therapy, BSN, RN]

I think that's the thing that really bothered me. I haven't seen a bit of paperwork whatsoever. I didn't know who the teeny bopper was or what her title or position is. But I will take your advice. I will write the letter right now, and get it off in the mail tomorrow. Thanks for the advice [/quote']

It sounds like this facility has poor training and personnel skills. It's pretty obvious if the other aides won't even offer suggestions. You are better off. Good luck to you.