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Discussion

Need Advice

I have posted here many times and want to warn you that this may be a long post but I need advice from other office nurses.

I have worked in this office for over three years. I work for 2 neurosurgeons that are brothers. Even though I feel that recently I have been treated badly I still like the guys very much and think that they are good doctors.

I started going to school when I went to the office and I have been there since the office started. I am the only employee that has been there the whole time. I NEVER miss work. It is so rare that you might as well say never. But....I started my clinicals this year and so had to start missing some work. (I go to clinicals only on Monday and Tuesdays. (most of the time I leave at 12:30 but occassionaly all day). I have 7 weeks left and I am off for the summer and then in the fall it is just half days.

Because I have known about my schedule change for some time I tried and the office manager (who is the brother's mom) tried to get someone in the office to help me out on those two days. The hospital said they didn't have clinical float nurses. (this is proven later to be a lie). I knew that if I just quit that the office would have great difficulty so it was best for me and best for them that I stay and have someone help out on my days that I went to school.

Anyway...recently I was called by the hospital for a meeting and was told that I am there to serve the doctors and I am not able to do that and can't work in that office anymore. They offered me a float nurse position in the clinic and said that the ones that they have keep very busy. (if you read above they told us that they don't have them) This hurt coming from the hospital and not my doctors that I have worked closely with. I said fine but I am only staying for 2 weeks. They said we don't have to do anything right away. NOT I was mad, hurt, angry, confused you name it I felt it.

Finally the last days in the office the doctors talked to me. I asked them if they was ready for what was going to happen. I am the only nurse there and I keep very very busy. I do all the authorizations for the surgeries and follow up appointments, see post-op patients and TONS more. They complimented me on being the best nurse that they will ever have and that they will probably not ever find a nurse as good as me....blah, blah, blah

I don't want to float to other offices, pediatrics, family practice isn't for me. I like neurosurgery! :0(

So here is my question.....I am taking my vacation time which is 4 weeks and I was wondering what the chances are that doctors will suck up and realize that they have made a mistake and call me back to work for them??? Or do I swallow my pride and go float for the clinics or do I file for unemployment? Honestly I want to go back to where I am comfortable. Talking to the doctors when I left the one said, "well float to our office" I reply you fired me remember!! The other one said well stay and work then. Again I reply you fired me remember!!!

Help me out I am confused and I know that this may seem like a big mess because it is. Usually when you are fired you are fired but I stayed 2 weeks. And so it all is confusing and I could use some help from other office nurses as what to do. So I am asking your advice.

Featured Replies

I'm confused...were you really fired? or were you not able to fulfill the commitment at the neuro surgeons and were offered a relocation so to speak. I think if you are really fired you can collect unemployement or if you were laid off to. But it seems there was work available and you didn't want to take it. Unemployment is a slippery slope so make sure you will be able to collect (this requires the cooperation of the employer) before you go and file.

Also it seems that hospital employs you not the docs?? Is this true? Who signs the check? If you were called before 'hospital people' than it is likely that the office manager recruited there support to do the dirty work.

Sadly, no i don't think the doctors will suddenly say 'gee i feel bad lets change our minds'.

Lastly, though you might think it's not a big deal to miss work for clinical to better yourself to the rest of the staff it might be a real pain in the butt and you know how it goes...people keep complaining and sooner or later the OM gets tired of hearing it. Next she's talking to human resources (especially if you are in a benefit pposition and not meeting your hourly obligation) to look for advice and then you are called for a meeting.

Doctors are businessmen for the most part dressed in white coats. I agree I would take it very persoally too but it might be the decision they had to make in the best interest of their business. As you describe your role and doing follow up visits the docs might be able to hire a mid level who can bill for the visits and increase their bottom line.

Is it possible they would let you just 'cut down' to part time until school is finished?

On an upshot think about hospital work. You might be better off getting some good experience at the bedside as a student CNA.

HI Vailgang,

This is Darla and I am sorry to hear about your recent difficulties. I know in your previous posts you have expressed a Love for your work.. and I am sure it shows in all that you do at the office. ;-)

I too am a little confused about the hierarchy of your employment. It sounds like you work with and thoroughly enjoy your docs in the NS practice yet the hospital actually employs you? So how much power do the physicians have over your actual hours and employment?

I once worked for a hospital in an office and my doc did not have alot of say over what happened to me. Looking at the reply of one of your docs

"Talking to the doctors when I left the one said, "well float to our office" it seems he was trying to be helpful in finding ways to keep you working with them.

Under all of this.. it sounds like you feel as though they do not appreciate all that you have done ..I think they do but most docs are not good about saying things like that.

The office manager does not sound very helpful ..is there some friction there?

Are you now working on your RN license? There is alot of pressure as you complete the last semesters of Nursing school.. is it time to give yourself a break from the demands of thier practice?

As for floating elswhere.. even though you like NS best ..( I understand this as I am an IM nurse all the way...in the larger practice I had to float to peds.. chasing kids and giving them injections was not my idea of a good time) But the floating may make you stretch and grow. And you are way ahead of the game as you know what specialty you really like and enjoy!!

whatever happens Remember it is only for a season.....

When you finish school will they hire you back at that clnic? So much to mull over ..but again I feel that you will weather this and become stronger

keep me informed. :) I will say an extra prayer for you!!

Joy and Smiles * Darla

  • Author

I just thought that I would stop in one last time and say goodbye. I am no longer employed in the doctors office. I want you all to remember that even though you trust someone, work your butt off that in the end they will do whatever is best for them not the employee. I learned that the hard way. My bosses chose not to work with my schedule so that I could complete my degree and get my RN. I felt that because I never missed work, always went above and beyond my job description that I when I needed something that they would help me out, instead they had the clinic director tell me. It hurt because I worked side by side with them for over 3 years and they never said a word, didn't come to me. l was told that I was a great nurse and they wouldn't ever get another one as good as me but that meant nothing because I am still without my job. I am not sure what I will do at this point. I am still trying to absorb all of it. So do your job and don't go beyond because it will get you no where...at least that is what happened to me.

Jill

HI Vailgang,

This is Darla and I am sorry to hear about your recent difficulties. I know in your previous posts you have expressed a Love for your work.. and I am sure it shows in all that you do at the office. ;-)

I too am a little confused about the hierarchy of your employment. It sounds like you work with and thoroughly enjoy your docs in the NS practice yet the hospital actually employs you? So how much power do the physicians have over your actual hours and employment?

I once worked for a hospital in an office and my doc did not have alot of say over what happened to me. Looking at the reply of one of your docs

"Talking to the doctors when I left the one said, "well float to our office" it seems he was trying to be helpful in finding ways to keep you working with them.

Under all of this.. it sounds like you feel as though they do not appreciate all that you have done ..I think they do but most docs are not good about saying things like that.

The office manager does not sound very helpful ..is there some friction there?

Are you now working on your RN license? There is alot of pressure as you complete the last semesters of Nursing school.. is it time to give yourself a break from the demands of thier practice?

As for floating elswhere.. even though you like NS best ..( I understand this as I am an IM nurse all the way...in the larger practice I had to float to peds.. chasing kids and giving them injections was not my idea of a good time) But the floating may make you stretch and grow. And you are way ahead of the game as you know what specialty you really like and enjoy!!

whatever happens Remember it is only for a season.....

When you finish school will they hire you back at that clnic? So much to mull over ..but again I feel that you will weather this and become stronger

keep me informed. :) I will say an extra prayer for you!!

Joy and Smiles * Darla

  • Experts
My bosses chose not to work with my schedule so that I could complete my degree and get my RN.

I hope this doesn't stop you from getting your RN. Do your best to leave on good terms and don't burn any bridges, if for no more reason than the reference.

I know this is difficult right now. Unfortunately, this is the nature of corporate America. While I love my job, I try to distinguish it from the people and things that really matter in my life.

Hoping you continue your education and get a great job where the people really appreciate you :).

Jill

I am sorry to hear about your sad news ..but Please do not become a stranger to this post board..

I always enjoy talking to you and will look forward to hearing about this new challenge that lies ahead

.

It sounds like a were handed a bad deal and I know you must be very hurt.

but please remember all things happen for a reason ....you can get Bitter or you can get better..and I think you are the type of person who will get better

Dig inside yourself and find the woman who has made all of this work at that office for so many years and allow that woman to shine

You are that same woman ..you can make it all happen in another arena..

please do not give up!!

I look forward to hearing from you again!!

I would like to share A favorite

quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson

"It matters not what lies behind us or before us..it matters what lies within us"

you are a survivor

Joy and Smiles * Darla

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