Professionalism write up

[htrn]

Help - was written up for "unprofessionalism" & then terminated for the same write up a few days later (with no other incident). Termination aside, I am dealing with that in another venue :-) I am looking for courses, books, seminars, on-line classes that I can take or study that would prove that I am proactively trying to correct this problem. Have no idea how to address this with applications for other jobs or how to address this in an interview. Would love to say that I have done X,Y & Z to address this concern - but don't know where to start.

Thanks in advance. Allnurses is a life saver.

[Mulan]

What were you written up for?

Can't offer any suggestions for something so vague.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

Let me make sure I am understanding your post correctly. You were written up for unprofessional behavior, and then without another incident that would be a "strike two", you were unceremoniously terminated? So you had one written document that went along with one incident? That sounds pretty grave to me. You should have gotten at LEAST one verbal warning, then a write up, then if another incident occurred, a final termination. Sounds loopy to me.

Without understanding the nature of the write up (and I understand why you would not want to post that here), it is difficult to steer you in the right direction to correct whatever it is you are wanting to rectify. There are classes/workshops/seminars that you can attend on leadership which would entail professionalism. They are expensive however. Try http://www.dynamicnursingeducation.com/seminars. I hope you find some resolution.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Unprofessional statements or actions?

Towards patients, supervisors, or colleagues?

Can you give us more information?

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

As I have no idea what your transgression was, there is little advice I can give you; I must assume you find the incident embarrassing or you'd post more details.

You need to go over Professional Practice; we did not study this from a book, and I no longer have my old college notes, but any good book about ethics in nursing should give you the information you seek.

Have you considered the possibility that your "unprofessionalism" may arise from one or more of your own character traits? Perhaps a tendency to shoot from the mouth without attaching your tongue to your brain? :)

[BCRNA]

This sounds very odd to me, being fired after just one occurrence. In my opinion the level of "unprofessionalism" would have to be extremely high to warrant this. Or is it possbile that they had other reasons they didn't want you to stay and this was just the scapegoat they needed to do what they wanted? Good look finding another job.

If it something you could explain in more detail, and I can understand if you choose not to do so, there are plenty of people on this site that could give good advice.

[caliotter3]

Could it be that there were no clear instances of unprofessionalism? Specifics in your write-up would give you the basis for improvement, but if no specifics, there most likely were no identifiable reasons for your termination.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

This is worrisome, if the employer has grounds to fire for "unprofessionalism" then the employer's next step is to report to the BON. For now, your first step is to seek legal advice.

regards

dishes

[htrn]

I admit that I suffer from a congenital lack of a filter that is worse at sometimes than others. This is what I want to be able to able to show significant personal growth on and am just not sure how to do it.

There is also a general concensus that, because I have been upset and vocal with administration about a certain issue pertaining to patient care, that it was a way to shut me up. I got a written warning that was very specific, and is very embarrassing, but did not negatively affect the patient. I was not given an opportunity or a plan for improvement and had not had another incident before being called in and terminated. The incident occured 20 days before it was even brought to my attention and 24 days prior to termination.

Was I wrong - yep. Do I want to fix the problem - yep. Do I need direction on where to start - uh huh.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Suggest reading the CE Legal basics for professional practice http://www.nursingworld.org/mods/archive/mod995/canlegalnrsfull.htm

the CE expired so unfortunately you will not obtain credit hours but it it provides a good overview. After reading the article you can order the Nursing scope and standards of practice and the Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements from the American Nurses Association, review these two books thoroughly.

If you are not already a member of your state nurses association, consider joining.

regards

dishes

[netglow, ASN, RN]

20 days? what the heck is up with that! That just sux OP.

A similar thing happened to someone I know who had "dressed down" a surgeon who totally deserved a lashing. It was stellar, and this nurse had a way with making every word count. I have no doubt the surgeon understood he was in the wrong and left in defeat. But, after some thought, the embarrassment of it all got the better of him and that RN (a male RN) was tossed out toot sweet.

Of course I retaliated by freezing said surgeon out. He used to joke around with me. But after that, he no longer lives as far as I am concerned, and you know, I think that stings him a little bit.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

I did not see your last post before my last one (we were typing at the same time). I still believe you will benefit from talking to a lawyer. As far as courses that show you are trying to grow professionally, look into biomedical ethics courses at your local university. If you are trying to show personal growth and if you tend to be "vocal" about your opinions in the workplace look into taking an anger management course.

regards

dishes