Placed on Performance Improvement Plan - What should I do?

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I would look for another job in a different hospital right away. It may take some time to find another job and there is a real possibility that you might be fired if you are not in a union. Even if you are in a union find out if there is a period when you are first hired when they can fire you for no reason. My first job out of RN school in 1978 was on an EENT floor. There was a 12 month time period when management did not have to have a reason to fire me. My head Nurse was always coming to me with complaints about my work and even though I didn't agree with her, because it was my first job as an RN I had no reference to go by. There was such a negative atmosphere that I quit after I found another Job after 10 months. After I quit I talked to a wife of a friend of mine who was a RN on the same unit I was, She said that the problem was the head nurse and not me and that I had been fine. She also said that there was a clique on the unit that included a LPN and the Head Nurse who had been a NA on my floor only 1 year prior to my starting date. The LPN didn't like me and resented that I could tell her what to do. I would do everything that Nurse Beth suggested as it is good advise but I would actively look for another job and try to get one. It seems that no matter what you do it isn't good enough and that is a bad sign.

Sign up with an Agency (local or travel).

Or apply for another permanent job where you live.

Contact the Labor Relations Board and let them know that you didn't get all of your unpaid meal breaks. This is illegal, the employer knows it, LRB will make them pay you and whoever else makes the claim.

Do NOT write your replies at work. Use your home computer or some other non-public computer.

Run, don't walk to get out.

I am somewhat relieved that I am not the only one who's ever been done in by Monster Managers because I was dumb enough to fight them, but what a sad, sad, sad picture of our profession. It is shocking to read how many of us have been through this. If only the public realized how good nurses are hamstrung in their ability to give good care because managers do this type of ridiculous evil stuff. I know they are required to follow the steps set out by HR, but they seem to not know how to be honest with workers, how to coach and build up staff instead of bulldozing them into the dirt.

Here's wishing you all the best.

I agree with the rest, get out NOW!!! you have the best chance of finding another job in L&D or another area the sooner you leave. When ask why you are leaving I was a good fit is lot more believable the sooner you leave. the writing is on the wall go, go fast.

The same thing happened to me recently. I was an ICU nurse for over 20 years, spent my last 7 years in one unit then transferred to another hospital, same job. All of sudden I was getting written up over crazy things. Should have seen the writing on the wall. I was fired for a very minor med error which I reported and no harm came to the patient, doctor was not upset. I was upset because making med errors is not at all typical for me. But, they were just waiting for me to do something wrong. It was horrible. I think some hospitals are just viper pits full of nasty people. I don't know if its possible to get over it.

Your story is similar to mine.

Even back then, it was obvious to me that my managers were untrustworthy.

I just wanted to tough it out....just because. For the principle of the thing.

Getting fired, with a terrible reference can be devastating in the nursing world. And even worse if you're in a state where your terminator is automatically reported to the board.

Follow your intuition, and good luck to you.

Unfortunately without specifics about "your performance problems" from your manager, you cannot possibly have any insight as to your managers issues, and it sounds like she has no interest in helping you. You have a history as a good employee...focus on that, and look for another position. Nameless, general complaints can never go anywhere. I agree with previous posters, someone has it in for you.
Yes it sounds like a witch hunt to me.
I tried to do, not once but twice, precisely what is suggested above, and those actions only escalated situation.

When people want others to do what they want, they got to explain, clearly and fully, what exactly is desired. Time management is one thing that can and should be addressed, but if there are talks on the level of "attitude"with no names and no particular details, then it is time to get the heck outta there now. "Attitude" cannot be put under "smart" criteria as it is totally subjective to begin with.

I wish I would be wrong but IMHO where "attitude" and other like sins are mentioned, there the end begins, and it is easier to minimize losses than to fight.

Yes bad attitude usually means the person is smart and articulate and the manager feels threatened by him or her. Who knows. Maybe someone went to the manager and said you should be the manager. Whether you want to be or not, the manager would feel very threatened by that. Good attitude usually means a sycophantic follower, usually somewhat stupid.
You have a toxic manager. Read the literature on that. You should have in writing your PIP. You should have been offered an opportunity to respond in writing. At this point you want to comply as best you can. Create a paper trail. If you are called in again, Be on your best behavior. Then write an email acknowledging the points she made. Any email that might support your case take a screen shot at a location not in front of others. Journal as you are doing. As far as HR others might say they dont trust them and that it will result in retaliation. I would say look for another job. For some reason the manager sees you as a threat. You used your initiative to question a safety is issue. No breaks. You can also research recommended practices for your specialty. IOM states that a questioning attitude is necessary to a culture of patient safety. The science supports you but we are years away from EBP. I have championed against defamation and wrongful termination. The powers that be are keeping that on the shelf out of prying eyes. It is a weapon of the status quo entrenched hiarchies. They do not want to give it up. There are a string of civil awards by courts mounting. They won't be able to deny it forever.
Managers really hate it when staff bring up safety issues because they are legally liable. This manager can't handle any criticism. He or she wants robotic nurses. Hey, maybe that is the way of the future. Get rid of nurses and replace them with robots. Just make sure they don't become like the ones in "I Robot."
I really feel for you! I recently left a job where I thought I'd try my hand at another field of nursing. I was put on PIP once because of med error. I got a verbal warning and it seemed like things went downhill from there. I ended up resigning after 2 months. After the first PIP, I felt I was under a microscope. Soon after that I was confronted by administration about how I felt about my job. I honestly had started disliking the job. I knew at that point that it was time to go. I handed in my resignation and a very honest exit interview. It all stung my ego a bit but the job was not a good fit for me nor I for it. It only took less than a week to find something I really wanted to do and was hired. I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do! You are in a very precarious situation especially now that you have been called in because of a patient safety issue.
Good for you. You were wise to do what you did before the toxic management destroyed your career. It is such a big power trip for some of these managers.
I recently went through the same thing. I am a new grad RN recently approaching my 1 year anniversary as an RN and in L&D. 30 days before my anniversary I was called into the manager's office on my day off. I was placed on a 30 day PIP. Most of the areas cited as needing improvement, I disagreed with. I was told that I can't do a delivery on my own, I can't circulate a section on my own, I'm not comfortable attending deliveries as baby nurse, freeze during emergencies and that I'm not a team player. The majority of that list is pure BS. I have been circulating sections and doing vag. deliveries on my own for 7 months. The only thing even close is emergencies....I don't freeze but there is plenty I haven't seen yet and need help on something new to me. I'm a new nurse....this isn't unexpected or unusual.

Anyway, I left her office devastated and humiliated. Until that point I thought I was doing a good job. I felt like I couldn't trust anyone I was working with. I felt unsure of myself. Not a good way to work. I made it my goal to work my butt off so none could dispute that I can do it. I did exactly that. I worked my butt off.

At my first weekly meeting I was told that now patients are complaining about my exams and lack of knowledge. I found that interesting since in a year I have never had a complaint and have had many patients compliment me on my bedside manner and knowledgable explanations when they have questions. Never was I told what I am doing right...it just felt like nitpicking.

At that point I started looking for a new job. I was called in for my final weekly meeting and told that they wanted to transfer me to post partum. I submitted my resignation as I was offered a job at another hospital in L&D making better money. I had to do what I had to do. They were never going to see me as a competent nurse. It was time to move on. I gave 3 weeks notice leaving myself a needed 2 week break before starting my new job.

It sounds like you're getting the same song and dance. It's time to move on. Leave on your terms not theirs.

Living well is the best revenge.

PIP is politically correct speech for "you are totally screwed"

This is so depressing. Is it just nursing? Does this happen with bankers? Teachers?

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