Recently quit due to stress - I have some questions

[langermann]

First off I'd like to say hello! I'm a newbie to the nursing community, working as a CNA ans working on my associate's in mortuary science! :)

I apologize for the rambling mess this post is, it's been a lot to unpack. Also for any typos, I'm typing on a phone.

I recently quit my job as a CNA in a LTC facility due to stress and other factors (management, workplace drama, being short-staffed every day, being screamed at by nurses for every little thing my shift couldn't get done, unsafe work conditions for both the residents and myself, etc) making the place take a toll on my mental health. I am already a naturally incredibly anxious person, and the stress there has actually caused me to begin self-harming in my sleep as a way to cope.

Yesterday I talked to the scheduler, administrator and director of nursing and let them know that while I would finish out the shift I was scheduled for, I would not be returning afterwards. I am working in an at-will state - Kansas - and I know I'm not required to give two weeks notice.

However, the scheduler attempted to guilt me into staying by insisting if I left without giving two weeks or more, they would "get me for neglect." She has a history of lying to people, and as I said I know my employment is at will. I am just wondering if there is any truth in what she told me? I finished out my scheduled shift and absolutely did not abandon any residents. I was meant to work this weekend, but I've already told them I need to leave immediately for the sake of my mental and physical health. They're trying to guilt me into coming in anyways, when I already know it will be just me and one other aide for 50 residents, all of whom are 2x assist.

I would also like to note to show how little they care, they lied to me about giving me a bonus after 3 months of working there, and also will not be cashing out my vacation or sick days. They also did not tell us when we were working with patients that had MRSA or C-Diff (as in, actually would refuse to tell us and got angry if we refused to go into an isolation room because we didn't know what the patient had, nor what isolation precautions to take.)

I don't care so much about the bonus pay, I just can't work there anymore, especially in those conditions. I already have interviews lined up and references, so I don't need anyone working there to vouch for me.

Am I in the wrong in any way in this situation? And has anyone else had an experience like this?

[Wuzzie]

While an employer is not mandated to offer vacation time to an employee. They cannot legally take away a benefit that is part of an employment contract. In at At Will state an employee cannot be penalized for leaving a job without two weeks notice.

Hppy

Interesting. With the exception of my current job,as it is union, I have never signed a contract of any sort when accepting a position. I simply gave a verbal acceptance and that was that. No paperwork, no witnessed signatures and no notary. As such, I don't believe that I was in a contractural agreement with my employers in the traditional sense. I WAS bound by the policies and procedures so maybe in absence of legal paperwork it functioned as a contract. Regardless every. single. one had a stipulation that if you failed to give proper notice, as listed in the policies, you forfeited your vacation time. Maybe they all were breaking the law. I don't intend to ever try to push it to find out.

The Myth of the Two Weeks’ Notice Requirement - Employment Law Handbook

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

I strongly advise you to speak to an employment attorney regarding your vacation and sick days. Most attorneys will do an initial consult for free. If this employer had an employee handbook, take that, too. As far as your bonus, if you had it in writing that they provide a bonus after 3 months, and you fulfilled the requirements for that, you are entitled to it. Bring this up with the attorney. Good luck.

[caffeinatednurse, BSN, RN]

They can't "get you for neglect" as long as you've held up your end of the bargain by doing your job well while you've been there.

They can, however, blacklist you as "ineligible for rehire" which may or may not be a big deal, depending on if they're a standalone facility or a part of a larger organization that you have any hopes of working for in the future. Many facilities will say one or two years is the amount of time that you're ineligible, but in my experience it's pretty permanent.