Resign first or wait until I find out if I'm fired?

Nurses General Nursing

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I've been told I have a meeting with my supervisor and HR tomorrow, so I'm anticipating the worst, but not 100% positive I'll get fired. My supervisor could not really give me a lot of information, so, do I hand in a letter before they have a chance to fire me? I am supposed to work a 30 day notice, so I've written a letter reflecting that, with the usual thanks for the "opportunity." The one reason I am so hesitant, is I want to hear them out. I know of no reason I should be fired, there have been no incidents at work that I am aware of. Advice please!

Congrats, Calliope - my experience is if they're gunning for you, if you're paying any attention at all you've got a good 1-2 months warning. Look for behavioral changes in supervisors (suddenly getting nicer is a bad sign). End of the day, "trust your gut". They hammered that concept in throughout nursing school; I was terminated with cause 4 months ago because I didn't heed that (short version, DON and I did not get along, I was terminated for an apparent bogus charge). Gave myself some time off to regroup & plan on changing venues shortly (as soon as I quit having fun not being deluged with text messages?)

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6 hours ago, IEDave said:

Congrats, Calliope - my experience is if they're gunning for you, if you're paying any attention at all you've got a good 1-2 months warning. Look for behavioral changes in supervisors (suddenly getting nicer is a bad sign). End of the day, "trust your gut". They hammered that concept in throughout nursing school; I was terminated with cause 4 months ago because I didn't heed that (short version, DON and I did not get along, I was terminated for an apparent bogus charge). Gave myself some time off to regroup & plan on changing venues shortly (as soon as I quit having fun not being deluged with text messages?)

Very true. Two meetings with HR or a manager who openly dislikes you, get a new job ASAP!

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On 7/25/2019 at 2:10 PM, calliope26 said:

Not terminated, just a spanking. I think my best course of action is to start looking for another job, pronto. Thanks everyone, for your support.

they are laying the groundwork for your demise. If you can afford to walk, walk now.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I'm with the others who are suggesting that the handwriting is on the wall. Start looking for another job right away, you don't want to be caught flat-footed if/when the fecal material collides with the oscillating ventilation system. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in NICU.
On 7/24/2019 at 9:27 PM, Davey Do said:

My motto: Get more on them than they got on you.

Absolutely,our union always advised this.Sometimes just watching them closely makes them back off.

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Specializes in NICU.
On 7/24/2019 at 11:21 PM, canoehead said:

gave a verbal response to a complaint once, and none of my response was included in the final reprimand. It just said " your response was inadequate to explain your actions." They refused to include a written statement in the record.

Unbelievable to work under such conditions.

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Specializes in Cardiovascular Stepdown.

Wow, I know that this has to be stressful for you. Based on what you've said a few things come to mind. Maybe it is a follow-up from before to review your improvement. Possibly, they feel that you are not a great fit for your current role, but want to offer you a change that might be more suitable. Sure, if they are not telling you anything it is going to weigh on you. I would be a nervous wreck too, but you may be surprised at what happens, and as others have said, it might not be about you.

If it we're about someone else, they would not tell you... That way you can't talk to the other person about it.

Please do keep us updated, but continue to be careful about what information you give.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice, Wound Care.

Yes, very stressful. Verbal reprimand, they don't think I'm a good fit for my current position, but have made no effort to assist in any way, and the criticisms have been vague; I've decided to move on.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
1 minute ago, calliope26 said:

Yes, very stressful. Verbal reprimand, they don't think I'm a good fit for my current position, but have made no effort to assist in any way, and the criticisms have been vague; I've decided to move on.

Good thing you have that resignation letter already drafted!

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58 minutes ago, calliope26 said:

Yes, very stressful. Verbal reprimand, they don't think I'm a good fit for my current position, but have made no effort to assist in any way, and the criticisms have been vague; I've decided to move on.

Wise decision. Here's to hoping you find that new position before they decide to drop the axe.

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On 7/24/2019 at 8:47 PM, Davey Do said:

Calliope and I belong to the same club, klone, and it's called called "The Pessimists"!

Like I've said before, "I leave work each Monday morning believing I'll be fired for something I did or didn't do during the weekend and every Friday I come into work to find my name on the schedule".

Good point, kakamegamma. I've been fired three times in my nursing career and won unemployment benefits two out of the three times,

Once again, as I've said before, "I would have won the termination contestment the third time had I not said to my supervisor, 'Go ahead- fire me!' ".

The adjudicator said, "You cannot tell your supervisor to fire you and contest it when he does!"

Good luck to you, calliope. And please, let us know how this comes out, you pessimistic kindred spirit, you!

Davey Do, just curious. When you were fired, how did that affect you mentally? I'm sure it had to be rough. How did you cope? I'm kind of a sensitive type, so just kind of looking for strategies since I'm sure it'll happen to me one of these days. Thank you.

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On 7/27/2019 at 9:22 AM, calliope26 said:

Yes, very stressful. Verbal reprimand, they don't think I'm a good fit for my current position, but have made no effort to assist in any way, and the criticisms have been vague; I've decided to move on.

I’m glad you decided to move on. The fact that they pulled HR into a ‘verbal reprimand ‘ meeting means they are making sure all of their ducks are in a row to fire you. Otherwise it would have just been your unit manager speaking to you alone. Every time I’ve had HR involved, I’ve been fired. You are lucky they are giving you a heads up to move on, if you don’t, they will very likely fire you.

It does seem strange that they, all of the sudden, don’t think you are a good fit after 5 years though. Do you not get along with someone? Not fast enough to complete all of your tasks on time? Have you had patient complaints? If you don’t mind me asking, what we’re their ‘vague explanations ‘? Did they give you some things to work on? Or was it just a heads up that you are going to be fired if you don’t move on soon?

I wish you the best of luck in finding a job that better suits your talents.

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