I will try to be brief here, but there is a lot to tell so bear with me.
Since March I have been prn status for M/S and ER averaging 2 days a week at a very small and struggling rural hospital in a neighboring county. I was hired prn with the understanding that I would be a day shift employee, and would be willing to perhaps fill in an OCCASIONAL night if it worked with the rest of my schedule. (I am also in a MSN program for what it is worth).
In early May the manager contacted me and asked me if I would do a few nights to help fill a hole from a recent resignation until someone new could be oriented. Since the semester was over, I agreed to a total of 4 nights - 3 one week and one the next, with the understanding that this was a temporary thing only and I could not do regular nights. Those nights I did and a couple of them were pretty hairy but nothing horrible.
This hospital has come under new ownership as of 8/05, and is struggling as mentioned before. Supplies are at a bare minimum with even tape being rationed. I have been alarmed to find that there were no needleless syringe equip. available on a regular basis even though our tubing had the ports to accomodate needleless devices; and our sharps containers just have a big hole at the top that a small wrist could fit through. there is also not a post-exposure program in place. Get the picture? I did and I filed an anonymous complaint with OSHA for occupational hazard. They were very interested and were to immediately investigate.
Fast forward and I haven't worked there in 3 weeks. I was called with a looong list of nightshifts wanting to know if I could work, and when I replied back to my managers' voicemail telling him politely that I could not work any nights but please let me know any days available, haven't heard a peep since. Not even a call back to say "I just dont have any day shifts available" etc. It doesn't make sense for a facility that is chronically understaffed especially with RNs. I have been able so far to make up the time with other work but am having to scramble to do so. For a month and a half I was guranteed the two days a week at this place. There are no problems or incidents with my performance - so why have I been dropped like a lead weight?
I can't help but wonder if they found out I made the OSHA complaint, and even though there is supposedly whistleblower protection, how could I prove anything? I am still an active employee...as a matter of fact am still receiving regular pay stubs with nothing as the amount.
I really would like to hear some opinions on this. I wasn't trying to make trouble for anyone, just have a safer work environment.
