Qoute "If you quit, I will report you to the state B.O.N.!!!!!!"

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi, I just started another job at a rehab facility as a night shift floor nurse. After my second day off orientation I decided, hey this isn't for me, so i went to the D.O.N. at the end of my shift and told her how I felt. Her words were, "If you quit, that means I will have to come in and work during the holidays, and if that happens, there ain't no telling WHO I'm gonna report to the state board of nursing." Now, my urge to quit is even greater! Several days later a coworker told me the D.O.N. told her what she told me about what will happen if i quit. Which means the D.O.N. is broadcasting it!!! Ok, Im 23yo & I've been a nurse for 2 yrs and even i know you can't be reported to B.O.N. for quitting as long as you're not abandoning your patients, but the fact that she actually threatened me to stay is what im talking about.

What is your take on this situation? Will i have a case if I decide to sue the facility for immaturely threatening my professional license to keep me from quitting?

Thanks for your prof. advice!

Excellent advice from all the posts above. My guess is that the DON

would not report you to the BON and is using this control freak method

because unknown to you, this environment is a revolving door of

new nurses taking the job, and departing when they see the working

environment...........

That said, take every step as outlined in the above posts to protect yourself and depart out the door asap.

This is a lesson in how not to be a Nursing Director..

Good luck to you...

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
What is your take on this situation? Will i have a case if I decide to sue the facility for immaturely threatening my professional license to keep me from quitting?

Thanks for your prof. advice!

No, you will not have a case, as "immaturity" is not against the law.

Yes, you could cobble together a case about harrassment, or intimidation, or some such ... but ... really? You've given your notice. Make sure you have followed any other procedural requirements outlined by your facility regarding separation from employment. If you did not resign in writing the first time, do it now - a one-paragraph letter stating that you are leaving your position and your last day will be _____. Nothing further. Adios amigos.

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.

Hey... this is why DON's get paid the "big bucks". I have never seen, though, a DON work on a holiday. She would just have to get on the horn and call staff until she finds someone intimidated enough by her to come in on her holiday off.

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I would not return to that place at all and I would tell the DON exactly why, actually I would have my attorney do that because I would be paying them to write a letter of resignation for me. This will cost something like $100.00 and will be the best money you ever spend. I would then turn around and have the same attorney write a letter to the BON detailing the exact situation, what was said, time, date and ask that the letter be placed in my permanent file. I would also get a return receipt on the letter everything so you will have proof it was received.

Since the Cow DON wants to play games with your career and livelihood it's frickin time to dance. You need to protect yourself and paying the attorney is one way to do that, seriously, this is something that should be handled correctly and an attorney letter is how you do that.

When that is all said and done I would then make a formal complaint to the BON regarding what the DON said to you; I think they would be very interested in hearing all about someone who says they will file a fraudulent complaint with them as a vendetta.

The DON is nothing more than a common street bully, out her to the whole world by following the steps above.

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Wow, sure am surprised she said that, but who am I kidding? No, I am not surprised. I guess I might have even snorted if someone said that to me. It is so very ridiculous, you know? Like everybody else has said as long as you formally resigned, I think she is desparate and has nothing left but empty threats.

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Sounds like it is time to be proactive get with an attorney, check the laws of your state reguarding the recording of conversations in some states only one party in the conversation has to be in agreement or know about the recording...if this is the law in your state that would mean you would need to be in agreement to being recorded but I would really check this out before doing it but by all means it is time to lawyer up.

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Well, she can intimidate you all she wants but unless you signed a contract or plan on not giving any notice theres not much she can do, except report what is not true.."lies"... also don't walk out the day you leave RUN!!!! That remark says alot about whom that person is....there are many sociopaths among us so just prepare.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

An important point to realize is that you CAN be reported to the BON...not for quitting your job but the DON could make a complaint. Would that complaint be valid? No. Would the BON have to investigate? Yes.

Please remember, the BON is there to protect the public FROM nurses, they aren't necessairly there to protect nurses. Could a vindicative person use the BON to hassle a nurse in good standing? Yes, it's not out of the realm of possiblity. So be careful.

That being said, I would second the idea of sending a certified letter, done in a professional format and let the chips fall where they may. I would not want to work for someone who would even verbalize such a vindicative attitude. I'd make notes of any conversations that have taken place and keep them in a safe place. That will help if something does happen.

Do I think this DON will make the call? Probably not, just blowing off steam. Just be careful and take care of yourself.

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Stuns me how people particularly in nursing field can be so bitter against one another - is this what I am headed for when I become a nurse?

Find another job asap, give your 2 weeks and report her to higher up (I'm almost certain she has a boss ie, regional, director, president!) for threatening you with such words.

Employment laws vary by state. Are you part of a collect-bargaining agreement, working under legal contract, unionized. You should contact BON in your state as well. If she makes a call and jeopardize your career, that's grounds for a defamation in the workplace (lawsuit)!

(I knew my HR background would come in handy even in nursing field)

Good luck!

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To ease your mind call the BON and ask them this question yourself. In my state pt. abandonment is the only thing along these lines that can be reported to the BON. Accepting a job and then telling your employer it isn't for you is grounds for termination, not being rehired, but it is not against the nursing practice act. You said your were done with the place. If it is at will employment then hand them a resignation, make sure someone signs that it was accepted and don't go back to work again. I wouldn't even think of stepping foot in a place if the director was threatening to report me to the BON. Not worth it.

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i would have quit as soon as she threatened me like that, in fact i would have used my cell phone and recorded her butt!!!

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Specializes in OR, ER, Oncology, CPC.
I would not return to that place at all and I would tell the DON exactly why, actually I would have my attorney do that because I would be paying them to write a letter of resignation for me. This will cost something like $100.00 and will be the best money you ever spend. I would then turn around and have the same attorney write a letter to the BON detailing the exact situation, what was said, time, date and ask that the letter be placed in my permanent file. I would also get a return receipt on the letter everything so you will have proof it was received.

Since the Cow DON wants to play games with your career and livelihood it's frickin time to dance. You need to protect yourself and paying the attorney is one way to do that, seriously, this is something that should be handled correctly and an attorney letter is how you do that.

When that is all said and done I would then make a formal complaint to the BON regarding what the DON said to you; I think they would be very interested in hearing all about someone who says they will file a fraudulent complaint with them as a vendetta.

The DON is nothing more than a common street bully, out her to the whole world by following the steps above.

This I great advice. I would not go back there!!!:no:

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