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!

Specializes in Medical Surgical.

Never resign in an e-mail. It seems cowardly and that you are intimidated, which is just where the DON wants you. It's also just not professional. I think you need to follow the advice of those who are telling you to get an attorney and just quit. It also would be very helpful if the attorney sat in on your call to the BON, which you need to make. I don't know where you work, but nobody can be perfect 100% of the time and you need to protect yourself.

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Thanks guys... I was suppose to meet with D.O.N again but ironically she took a hard fall @ work and has been out since. (hmmm). But our next meeting will have more than just our 4 ears listening and if the threat comes up again, pretty soon she will be working for me!... I take threats to my license VERY seriously & if I go down for ANY reason, I'm taking her with me... We will BOTH bag groceries @ the local supermarket!!

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Specializes in acute care.

Give her two weeks? So she can gather up a 'case' against me? No thanks. If it was only two days of orientation, I would have gone home after the shift and sent notice that I was resigning, effective immediately. Why stay at a place with someone like that? Next thing you know, one day you will decline a request to come in for OT, and she will be looking for things to write you up for.

I would have been sooo gone after that shift.

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Specializes in CM; UR; HEDIS; Geri; Med/Surg.

If you were still on orientation you don't owe them two wks however I would give it to them out of professional courtesy - just be prepared to get the worst assignment b/c it sure sounds like she'll make sure you get it. She should have addressed your specific concerns to determine if perhaps there was something that could be done to influence your decision to the facility's benefit and encourage you to give it another chance. Her true colors came through though the first time you voiced a concern and that means your instinct to go may have been on the money. Don't do anything though that may bite you back in the future - the world is really small and believe me you two will cross paths again directly or indirectly - and I'm sure she'll act like she has no idea who you are...

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Here is your plan of action.

1. Get a attorney.

2. File a harrassment and workplace violence suit.

3. REAP $.

That DON thinks that you dont have the guts to defend yourself, so she will do as she pleases. Give her a holiday surprise.

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Here is your plan of action.

1. Get a attorney.

2. File a harrassment and workplace violence suit.

3. REAP $.

That DON thinks that you dont have the guts to defend yourself, so she will do as she pleases. Give her a holiday surprise.

Yes, you could do all of this, but the easiest, simplest thing to do as you are still on orientation and not counted in staff is to go in with a letter of resignation stating you do not feel the place is a good fit; tender it as immediate resignation, and take notes of the meeting.

Any new employer can only ask your hire date and length of service, and your first interview with them should set the record straight about your cause for leaving; which of course you will explain in a professional, non-judgemental way.

Forget all the nonsense about the BRN. It won't come to anything, just one more trick managegers like to play on new hires not completely familiar with thier state's Nurse Practice Act.

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
I would attempt to find another job. Give your two weeks notice, make sure you get the letter notarized. Call the state BON for some suggestions and what is going on. It appear to me this is not a good place to work. This DON is dangerous and sneaky. You need to protect yourself. I feel sorry for the patients. Good luck!!

What is the purpose of getting a letter notarized?

Notarizing a letter does NOT make a document legal. All notarization does is prove that it is your signature, as the signature is written in front of the notary, who most likely won't follow you to the facility and watch you turn your notice in.

Even if you got a notice notarized and turn it in, her psycho DON could still technically deny receiving it.

It is not patient abandonment, it is not a reportable offense and I would have had no problem telling this DON right to her face that I knew better and if she tried to make up a charge to report to the BON she had better have a good attorney because I would sue the pants off of her.

If she thinks that the DON would do such a thing, then she needs to give her notice to the person the DON reports to...and tell them WHY.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

I would call her and tell her you're resigning, then send her a certified letter stating something to the effect, "As per our conversation on 010111 (or whatever date you called) I am resigning from Snake Pit LTC effective immediately." That way she has to sign for the letter, so she can't deny she got the letter.

Why give two weeks' notice? That just gives this loon more time to phony up charges against you and make your life difficult. Sometimes your best option is to cut and run. This is one of those rare instances when I'd say no notice is the best notice.

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Specializes in Cardiology.
I would send a resignation letter with a copy to her & hr. Make sure it is certified mail so that they must sign for proof they have recieved it. I would also call the BON, report this DON for what she said and make a record of who you spoke with at the BON. Get out of there FAST!!!!! Not worth the risk. What a horrible DON.

ITA. I would not give her the courtesy of waiting until after her vacation. She does not deserve any considerations. I would speak to her superior and make them aware of what was said. I wouldn't call the BON, it kinda puts you on her level, only because I think this DON is just "blowing smoke out of her butt" all talk, no action, there is nothing to report you for. Don't bother the board with nonsense and have your name/licsense connected with it.

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Specializes in PACU, OR.
I would call her and tell her you're resigning, then send her a certified letter stating something to the effect, "As per our conversation on 010111 (or whatever date you called) I am resigning from Snake Pit LTC effective immediately." That way she has to sign for the letter, so she can't deny she got the letter.

Why give two weeks' notice? That just gives this loon more time to phony up charges against you and make your life difficult. Sometimes your best option is to cut and run. This is one of those rare instances when I'd say no notice is the best notice.

Priceless! :lol2:

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If you are still in orientation you do not owe them 2 weeks' notice. A simple note stating that you do not feel that this place is for you, and you will no longer be available is sufficient.

You are not abandoning anyone if you are still on orientation. And a threatening supervisor is not someone you can work for or with.

Best wishes on your job hunt.... agree 150%

I would also like to point out. Most employers have what they call an at will employment clause on your hiring documents. You can quit and they can let you go at anytime with no notice. You also can practice that right.... whats the point of being in orientation with a 2 weeks notice?

I'd report the nurse who stated this to her supervisor in writing, and mention that you are seeking legal resources... you will NEVER hear from them or this nightmare of a manager again.

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