Quit or be fired?

[crystalNC]

I worked for a company for 10 years and worked as a nurse for 2 years with great results. I then changed departments and I have made the worst mistake ever. I am pretty sure that I will be fired on Friday of next week. I have a sick leave. Should I quit and use 4 weeks of sick leave as my notice (if my manager allows) or wait and be fired after working for only six weeks on the job?

My evaluation had 10 problem areas, and only 2 are valid. Some of the problems I had the first week I worked, but they have not fallen off of my evaluation ( like not knowing how to use the program this division uses to document). When I tried to go over some of the items on my list, my manager stared at me with a blank stare instead of addressing the issue. When I tried to address one issue as untrue, I was told that I lack integrity for not admitting what I do wrong.

The dumbest one was that I was accused of using inappropriate abbreviations in a certain circumstance. I was told that I was not to abbreviate some long words that need to fit onto a small space. So I went back to the floor and started trying to fit those words onto that slip. I was given a different preceptor while mine was at a meeting and the preceptor asked me why on earth I would not just abbreviate and named the abbreviation I used and got into trouble for. I said I was told it was not appropriate and she stated everyone uses that abbreviation. I then walked to the area where those items are kept and she was correct...everyone uses the abbreviation that I had gotten into trouble for using.

I am not sure what to do. One thing is certain, either I quit or I will be fire. With so many half truths and outright lies on my evaluation, I look like a horrible employee. Do I write a response to the false accusations and half truths or do I ask to be fired as "rehireable"?

What would you do? How will this affect my nursing career? How do I get over losing a job after six weeks? What do I say in an interview about my last job?

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

I would give notice. And work unless they tell you not to. That way when your potential employers call they will be told that you resigned and are eligible for re-hire. Versus fired and not.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Union, union, union.

Abbreviations aside, there is likely a good deal more to the other side of the story. Nevertheless, I think you should let them fire you and then get unemployment out of them. Resigning doesn't automatically make them say you are eligible for rehire, not at all. They can still put you on a "do not hire" list even if you resign.

[cyb]

Agree, there is not a chance that they will put a good word out there for you if they have false info about you they will continue to do so, they're not looking out for you, that is totally unfair regardless of the motive behind pushing you to leave. Totally feel for you and cannot comprehend the mechanics behind that type of management that dispose of its employees in a visceral and senseless way. I'll say have a meeting with this person and ask straight forward what to do to keep your job and if you sense they have no interest on keeping you then give your resignation right then and there. You have the right to fire your job if you feel does not fitted you.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Just a bit of a warning - most organizations will not pay you for sick time after you have tendered your resignation. Sick time is usually a benefit, but not actually "accrued time" (like vacation) for which you are entitled to be paid if it is not used.

[chare]

Nor have I ever worked at, or heard of, an organization that would let you use accrued time (either sick or PTO) to work out your notice.

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

Sounds like they are just trying to get rid of you and looking for reasons.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Most organizations expect you to actually work your notice. Sick leave doesn't usually count because they are not receiving any benefit of your labour and you're costing the company.

[crystalNC]

I ended up resigning. When I left the meeting and went to the floor and tried to implement the "improvements" and had people telling me "we don't do it that way" then telling me to do it the way I had been doing it, I knew they wanted me gone and they wanted me to make the move to leave. The manager sent me an email thanking me for my maturity in choosing to leave. Whatever...I was lied about and that paper sits in my file now. I hurried and got another job. I was honest with them and said that I did not want to see another infant as long as I am a nurse. She hired me before I left the interview.

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

Strange. Why does it matter to them if you quit or get fired? Other than them being scared of you filing unemployment?