Hey everyone.. I was recently let go from my new job in IR. I have about 5 years of experience (ICU and cardiac procedure care - pre/post/intra). Earlier this fall took a new job at another hospital. First week on the job, I experienced a pain I had never felt before - my upper shoulder and neck muscles began contracting out of the blue and continuously. It hurt bad…felt like a "charley horse" in my shoulder and neck that just wouldn’t stop. I was escorted to from my unit to the ED to get checked out. After the ED PA and MDs saw me, a CT of my neck was ordered right away, and it showed that I had a C5-C6 protrusion. I was given pain meds and a referral to ortho surgery. By the time I got out of the ED, my shift was over. I returned to work for my next scheduled shift.
I made an appointment as soon as I could with Ortho, on an off day. Ortho doc advised that I not do any sort of strenuous exercise (which was crushing... I am avid backpacker/hiker.. I bike, practice yoga, play tennis, weight lift, run, etc...) and now suddenly could not do anything but light stretching and walks, and was given an order to see PT 3x a week. Being new to the unit, I was transparent about the injury (not the details of the cause... just that it existed….as the cause of the injury was an assault that had happened a couple months back... by an angry family member who was not in their right state of mind… I shared that with the ED and the Ortho doc, but that feels a bit too sensitive to share with my new workplace people).
Moving forward, I stayed flexible with scheduling. I remained cautious and mindful about my neck while I worked. But I still worked. Per preceptor, I was a hard worker. Even though I was not permitted to exercise, my doc said it was fine that I still worked. So, I continued working per usual: including pushing beds, transferring, carrying / shifting weighty tech machinery around, repositioning patients, wearing lead during procedures, etc… After each shift and on my off days, I focused on self care. I rescheduled and put off PT to accommodate my new job ever changing schedule... so that I be consistent and work with my preceptor, follow her schedule.. and also that I could complete orientation in a timely matter despite the missed days.
Fast forward ~6 weeks I hurt my lower back at home… Annoying… something about not exercising for that long has made me clumsier I guess… but, NBD. There was a little bruising and a nagging sensation, otherwise felt that it was not that bad. Then the next day I worked ( on a particularly fast moving, short staffed, bustling & busy day ) I ended up hitting the exact same spot on my lower back (on patient bed rail). It hurt at first, but subsided. I shook it off and I kept working. Later that afternoon, I could feel the spot on my lower back swell .. and grow... and it became more painful. I asked a co-worker about it. She took a look and suggested that I get it checked out asap because it looked like a hematoma. I approached my manager, explained what happened, and went to the ED. CT of my lower back confirmed a hematoma. I was given a doctors note and was instructed to take it easy the next few days so that the area can heal and not get worse. I kept my manager updated via text and calling, and immediately provided a copy of the MD note.
I returned to work a few days later as instructed. I was eager to get back to work and was feeling much better. Near the end of the shift that day, my manager pulled me into the office, and called HR. With me, my manager present, and HR on the phone, HR stated that as a new hire I am on probationary period, and during that that time, it is expected that employees be at their best. The number of unexcused absences has made them feel that I am not a good fit to work there anymore. Reasons were irrelevant... She said that at the end of the day, the number of unexcused absences was concerning, so much so that they felt they could no longer keep me as an employee. I was terminated. Just like that.
I am still stunned... It's not like I caught a cold or didn't feel like coming to work... It's not like I just went to the ED on a wim and nothing was found... Is this really grounds for termination? Is there any way to fight this? I followed advice of co-workers, I followed MD instructions, I kept my manager updated, and thought that I was doing the best one possibly could in keeping that balance of being a diligent worker and caring for self. Should I have done something different? Is there anything that I can do now? I am really at a loss...
Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.
I was fired from a job after three weeks on orientation. Because it was still during the orientation period, I left it on my resume and just said it didn't really work out. I think my next interview spent a total of two minutes on it, but at least I had acknowledged it. I think it's not a very unusual situation at all in healthcare. Good luck!
BPM - TY for your trust & confidence. It's just that so many 'senior' nurses here at AN really have BTDT and we try to speak the truth, esp for the more inexperienced nurses. Even when they seem to NOT want to hear what we have to say. :(
It's a sad thing, but even in the few years I've been here at AN, I've seen the trend of nsg/healthcare employee/employer relations change DRAMATICALLY. And not for the better.
We strive to aim for erring 'on the safe side'. I guess that's part of our nsg mindset, ie being protective, esp to our own.
I have strong feelings that this has to do with you going to the ER during your shifts. I personally would never volunteer to go to the ER during my shift; the only way I'm going is if someone takes my unconscious body there.
You probably should have waited until after your shift. There is this attitude in hospitals that nurses and other employees should put the job ahead of themselves, "for the patients." It sucks, but it's reality. I mean, look at what has happened with Covid. Hospitals are willing to let us die to take care of patients. They do not care if your back hurts.
You became a liability when they wanted a reliable employee. It's not your fault, but this is why they fired you. It doesn't matter how good of a hire you are if you aren't actually there working and are instead costing the hospital money.
Edited to add: I know this upper neck pain you speak of. It is terrible and debilitating. I do not doubt that you needed medical attention nor do I think you are wrong in looking after your own health.
Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.
I don't know....I think if it were me and I had the time and money, I'd hire a lawyer and go after the family member who assaulted me, right mind or not. That's not okay.
Maybe you should seek work in a setting that won't aggravate the problems that were discovered.
Even though it seems very unfair, if I were an employer I might get spooked by a new hire having a physical problem that will interfere with them doing the job. That's why they have the cushion of the probationary. To see if it's going to be a good fit.
Hospital administrators definitely aren't a charity. Their primary focus is not tender loving care of employees. That's just the nuts and bolts of the situation.
I don't think I would have fired you if I were your boss. Especially if the preceptor gave you a good rating. Who knows if she really did? Fascinating that she mentioned that you avoid gossip.
I think someone might have read your ER chart without the right to do so. Like your boss or HR or both. Or maybe they learned of your personal problems via the grapevine. Verbally. Might. Maybe. Good luck proving the grapevine theory. HIPAA violation would be easier to prove. Maybe there is a silver lining ($$$$) in this for you. Talk with a couple of lawyers. You need to know who has read your chart. Also, ask the lawyers about Workers' Comp paying toward your PT, ER visits, etc. You were employed when this situation arose.
The main thing here is that you must take care of your back. It sounds like you need to figure out how to work without taxing your back and neck. Lead aprons, pushing beds, repositioning heavy patients - time to switch gears I think.
I do wish you all the best. You sound like the type of worker I would love to have.
And remember - HR is not YOUR friend. They protect the employer, not the employees. Repeat - HR is not YOUR friend.
Many attorneys will do a free consultation to evaluate your potential case. So find a couple of Employment/Labor Law attorneys and a couple of Personal Injury/Workers' Compensation attorneys. When you call the lawyer's office, just ask to speak with an attorney regarding a potential new case.
I know this is an old thread; and BeatsPerMinute, I truly hope things have gone better since this. I just wanted to chime in and say that reading this advice has been incredibly helpful to me in my current situation, so thank you all for sharing your experience and wisdom.
I feel like, with this, we're entering a gray area. I have been working since I was 15 years old. Everything from babysitting, cleaning houses, farm work, gardening/landscaping, fast food service, cashiering, piercing ears, receiving shipments at department stores, working at mall kiosks, clothing stores... occasionally took on seasonal gigs to help pay for nursing school. Shoot, there was one season of my life where I was technically employed at three different places at the mall I worked at. Was a lot to keep up with (and with me having ADHD, that does NOT come naturally to me).. but I did it. After nursing school I actually took on another nurse job, however, since it's completely different from what actually want to do, I generally leave it off my resume.
Kinda got side tracked there sorry... I guess, with all that, my point is that no one lists every single job that they have ever had. And that doesn't make them a liar. IF I was called out on something like that (potential employer for some reason really felt like I was giving a false representation of self, or hiding something) - would it not be better to wait and see if that scenario even plays out and THEN fill in the details? (Still limiting whilst keeping focus on what you said: reminding them of the established work history; situation was outta character; I took care of things and am ready to work now). Would it not be unreasonable to consider it irrelevant as it is not something I wanna pursue after all, was still on orientation, worked less than two months there... comparing and considering that my last employer had me for five years?
I want to reassure you though that I am not dismissing your point by any means - I am reading, reflecting, and sharing back with what I am uncertain about. I don't believe that you're wrong. I see youre trying to help and offered a scenario that very well could happen. It does give me some more things to consider and think about... I guess personally feel like maybe I should take one step at a time over fortune-telling too much, and allow that to prevent me from trying? Or maybe I do not have enough experience to really understand that the scenario you presented is a very real thing and happens regularly enough that I should worry about it?
Also, Im trying to avoid that whole "what If this?" and "what if that?" sorta game... which for me leads to overthinking / worrying / inaction. Trying to sort through what and how I should prepare vs what is unlikely to happen I guess. I hope that I am not missing something in your message and that my reply makes sense. Again, thank you for your input and tips!
They would see as omitting information that they would find relevant. Usually, they require you to fill in jobs within the previous 5 years or some other time-related requirement. This avoids the potential for all jobs held since the beginning of time. Also, there is almost always a question on applications inquiring whether or not you have ever been terminated. Answering yes to this, which you would have to in order, to be honest, and then leaving that place off your resume, would really raise red flags. It's best to just be transparent and explain what happened. As you said, these weren't insignificant issues. The key is showing what you have done to take care of the problem and demonstrate that you're ready to work without it becoming an issue again.
I have been in similar situations due to having Crohn's. Some days are fine...some, not so much...when you’re ready to walk out the door for your shift, ON TIME, and your stomach says, “just kidding”, making you late, that doesn’t fly with employers. I’m only a 16 year veteran RN and what I can tell you that I’ve learned, the ROCK HARD way, is that healthcare has become a business, period. Maybe likening it to working as a car salesman will help. If you don’t produce, (good JCHAO scores, positive surveys, packing 20 hours of work into a 12 hour shift, and God forbid, not responding to every patient’s EVERY single need immediately) you’re out. Done. See ya. And NO ONE in your hospital will lose a minutes sleep over firing you. Not even on Christmas Eve. It’s a business. They will make money by any means necessary.
My personal experience....I had a the CICU director look me right in the face, as she was firing me and handing me my final paycheck, and apologize to me, telling me that I was one of the best nurses she’s ever had on the unit and that she didn’t want to do it but her hands were tied. So there you have it. The kicker of the whole thing?? ALL of the staff, as I was leaving, asked me why I hadn’t done the same thing as them. Apparently, many of the staff, when they got there late, didn’t punch in, they WROTE IN their arrival time ! WAIT!! WHAT??? So if I had been dishonest, I wouldn’t have been fired ?? That’s ridiculous as far as I’m concerned but whatever. I’d rather be honest and take the hit.
My suggestion, from experience, and my own opinion, is that you use this as a learning experience. Moving forward, divulge only the basic, required information. Figure out if you have a chronic injury and do some reading about the ADA. Protect YOURSELF, because sometimes it’s necessary. And understand that nursing is a BUSINESS, and corporations don’t GAF who they have to stomp on on the way to the bank. You can do this. THEY need US more than we need them. We are skilled and our skills are EARNED through blood, sweat and tears. That’s something no one can ever take from you. ????
They lie to you before you get the job and you want to be super honest?, be picky with what you disclose, only major stuff and above all cover your butt because they will cover theirs, (they will lie to save themselves). It's like playing a game of cards and they took all the good cards out of the deck and gave you crappy ones to play with, yet you are suppose to play a fair game of cards.
Honestly, it's just corp healthcare at its finest! These days in a lot of places nurses are replaceable widgets and not people. Consider yourself lucky not to waste any more of your time with them.
Can you go back to your prior hospital system? Five years is enough to be vested in the retirement plans and if you get back in you may be able to keep your seniority!
Steer clear of abusive family members and call the police if you didn't already! Don't tolerate the abuse!
Good luck to you!
THIS ⬆️ ! Exactly!! Most jobs that I’ve left, I’ve stayed per diem, because IF it didn’t work out and I had to go back to my previous job, I still had my seniority.
I think life simply happened in this job and there is nothing you can do about it. It doesn’t seem right with what happened at the job, but unfortunately it’s not something you can change or do anything about. Just like there is nothing you can do about having an injury - as nurses, we are mortal human beings and deal with illness and injury too. You just had the unfortunate circumstance of it happening in a new job.
I had a similar experience with some severe health issues (and family deaths at the same time) except it was in a new job, but not a new health system so I had the protection of FMLA. I was transparent with the manager but quiet about the issues with the rest of the staff. My job was protected, but the toxic workplace chose to my work life absolute misery. This is the one and only time my work truly suffered with absences and what made it worse was the lack of understanding from issues that the team knew absolutely nothing about.
Life happens to the best of us and sometimes it does cost us something that we just can’t do anything about. I would try to go to a job that has less of a physical impact on you, even if it’s temporary for a year or so.
JBMmom, MSN, NP
4 Articles; 2,537 Posts
I was fired from a job after three weeks on orientation. Because it was still during the orientation period, I left it on my resume and just said it didn't really work out. I think my next interview spent a total of two minutes on it, but at least I had acknowledged it. I think it's not a very unusual situation at all in healthcare. Good luck!