Need Advice - Losing my job!!

J Hannah · Jul 29, 1999

Becca - you may not even be checking the BB since your posting was the 20th and today is the 28th, but I hope you see this.

I have 30 yrs experience as an RN but no matter how long any of us have been practicing no one has ever forgotten that first yr out of school. You may not have a world of experience but you "are a professional", "You earned your RN". No one just gave it to you. Unfortunately your supervisor is not doing her/his job well. It's clear the supervisor is getting the shifts covered by any means possible even at the price you are paying. You are not knowledgeable of your state issues or law on employment and you need to arm yourself with knowledge. Ignorance and destroying your self esteem are too wicked tools far too often used. Maintain your self esteem and get the knowledge. I have yet to find a job that is worth compromising my values for, or allow it to take away my self esteem. Knowledge is power, so empower yourself. Fear is the worst bed fellow a nurse can take into her heart. You have gained more in the six month experience you now possess than you would loose if you moved on to another job. I have hired many nurses and tell you from the heart that you found a job with "no" experience, why doubt your worth now, when you have a solid six months under your belt??? It is sad but nurses are their own worst enemies. An employer than would hire, invest training, time and tools in a new grad then allow a poor quality supervisor do what is being done here is not an employer you need to work for. There is a saying that my husband frequently quotes to me: "Everything that happens to me, happens for the better." You mentioned that you had become "comfortable". Remember it is OK to be comfortable but it's never a reason to hang on by your fingernails. It's OK to coast, as long as you remember the direction you are traveling in when you coast(downhill). This situation will pass and you will be the one the better for what you have learned.

Best Wishes: J Hannah

nrsen99 · Jul 30, 1999

Becca~~~~~

I'm also a new grad. Before I even graduated I got over half a dozen job offers. Most of them being in critical care areas. I say, dump the job and get a new one. Who needs all that aggrevation?

NurseBoy · Aug 14, 1999

Hi Becca

How did it turn out? Did justice prevail?

cheers,

Paul

3651bht · Aug 15, 1999

Beca, It is true that you can be fired if you are an "at will" employee. Most nurses are at will unless they have signed a contract specifically stating their terms of employment. Maybe there is another way to help your unit without actually being away from home. Are there any unit projects going on at the present time. i.e. inservices, teaching materials. Maybe you could do some research at home and help in these areas. Develop a care plan for a post-op patient or a teaching tool for the patient/nurse. Offering to do things like these at home might not bring in any income now but may pay off handsomely later. Hope this helps!!!

3651bht

freemanl · Aug 17, 1999

If there is no one to assist you with day care you might try sharing with someone else. My sister and I "swapped" kids: when I came to work, I brought the kids (hers and mine) and she took them home. It took some planning but we both survived and the kids grew to love hospital food! Also you might want to negotiate shifts. Are you working 8 hours? Can you work 12 and stagger the days so that you avoid working stretches? This way 3 days a week equals full time. In any event, I would prepare for the worst and try for a better solution.

[email protected] · Dec 14, 2003

Becca,

Please see my posts in Losing Job--Panicicking and Disciplinary Nighmare.

The Losing job post tells you the nightmare of Home Care. It's a racket. Both of them show you how easy it is to lose your career in "at will" states.

Jon :roll

Agnus · Dec 14, 2003

Start job hunting now before this happens. There are part time positions out there and many employers would rather have a part time employee than none.

You might look for some one to job share while you are hunting else where. Most employers are open to job sharing and yours might since they need the shift covered enough to fire you.

I would be interested to see if they hire someone before they fire you or if they fire without any replacement in sight. That would make thier integrity or common sense questionable.

Speculating · Dec 14, 2003

Originally posted by [email protected]
Becca,
Please see my posts in Losing Job--Panicicking and Disciplinary Nighmare.
The Losing job post tells you the nightmare of Home Care. It's a racket. Both of them show you how easy it is to lose your career in "at will" states.
Jon :roll

[email protected] your a day late and a dollar short Becca0528 started that thread in June of 1999. It's only about five years old.

Agnus · Dec 14, 2003

I am an employer in an at will state. I can fire without cause. HOWEVER, there are now some president cases on the books that show this is not as clear cut as it seems.

If your employer has a systematic disapline program in place. Even if it has never been implemented they must follow it or you do have a case against them.

I know this because I am an employer with my own business and I keep up (as much as time and resources allow. )

This is not something you would be told by anyone as an employee. It is not the thing we want employees to know. If I list anywhere some of the reasons I can fire you the at will law no longer will hold up in my situation. If I say that I can or may give a verbal warning then followed by a written one followed by firing they I have to follow that.

These are new legal presidences and that is what a court will go by when rendering a decision. Be aware. Employers are not as smart as you think and make mistakes like this all the time. In fact the vast majority of employers make this mistake.

renerian, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2003

Having been laid off 6 times in my 18 years as a nurse I understand completely. I am sure there are plenty of hospitals that would take you in a minute!

renerian

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Dec 15, 2003

This supervisor knows a good thing and she wants YOU full time to fill some of the spaces she has on her unit. You say she is a temporary super, well she sounds like she is bucking for long term super. She wants to show the powers that be, look, I have managed to fill some of my needs with my own unit nurses and no overtime. Look for another job, or another unit, it may not be easy, but you do not need this type of treatment. A part time dependable nurse is better than no nurse. I don't think this super has a clue on how to run an efficient unit. Let us know what happens.

Gldngrl · Dec 15, 2003

In "right to work" states, employees can be terminated without cause; the exceptions being discrimination issues as per federal and state laws. Facilities may have grievance systems established, but if the employer is smart, it will include clauses for discipline for behaviour deemed inappropriate in the workplace at the discretion of management. One can obtain copies of the policies that existed at the time of injury or incident (before management retrieves them to rewrite) if that's an issue, but it becomes a fight between policies and the disclaimer on said policies that gives management the right to amend or withdraw at any time. Trust me, it is very difficult to fight management and I believe the original poster of this very old topic listed her location as Virginia...a conservative state not known in the legal realm to be sympathetic to employees in employment and labour cases. The 4th Circuit is one, if not the most conservative circuits in the country. Not sure what my point is:roll , just wanted to provide some info. on the uphill battle employees have in right to work states, esp. conservative ones. MMB