I have been working at my current workplace, a hospital downtown, for a little over a year now as full-time. As of Monday I will transfer to part-time because I am starting a new job closer to home. Both managers are aware.
This afternoon I received a phone call from my current manager scheduling a meeting with her, human resources and a union representative on Monday. She would not give me any details except that it was SERIOUS, which is what worries me most, and she would pay me for my time (odd but nice). I asked if it was about a patient (which is my #1 concern) and she said no. But that's all she would tell me. I know this will be at the back of my mind all weekend long, stressing me out! This is the first time I've been asked to come in on my day off and meet with people other than her. Any ideas what it could be about?
Although I don't think this behind the reason and if it was I will tell her the truth. I called in sick yesterday. I don't call in often ... maybe a handful the entire year. This time it was legitimate, I had schedule conflicts at both workplaces and couldn't find anyone to pick-up my shift. It left me with no choice. I can't be at 2 places at once. I called in really early so they a good amount of time to call or a replacement.
At the hospital where I work, if you resign and miss a day at work before that date, you lose all sick and vacation pay when you leave. They may want to explain that your last check will not include those days.
Specializes in Psych/Substance Abuse & School Clinics.
It wasn't covered. The meeting was suppose to take place this a.m. & she hasn't posted what it was about or what happened. Personally, I'm dying to know!!
I was finally able to contact my union representative Sunday evening through sheer luck. She told me that my manager and human resources had contacted her already. She told me the topic of discussion (turns out it is about my "sick" call) and offered me some advice and counseling.
APPARENTLY, my manager followed-up on my sick call and my roommate told her I was at work. My manager immediately called HR, union, my other workplace for confirmation and then called me Friday evening at 3:00 PM to set up a meeting, with no details or contact information. I have never felt so alone/abandoned in my life with no one to turn to .... It was essentially an ambush and I was lucky enough to find my union rep over the weekend, no less.
During the meeting that took literally 5-10 minutes, they basically told me what I did was fraud because I was double dipping. I did not know it was fraud or that it was this serious at the time. I know ignorance isn't an excuse, but its the truth. I didn't do it for the money. They can keep it. I don't want it. At the time, I was more concerned with how I was going to fulfill my obligations to two workplaces. I was distraught. I couldn't find anyone to pick-up my shift all week and as the day was looming closer and closer, in a SERIOUS error of judgment ... I called in sick.
My union rep pleaded for me saying that I was a new nurse, just graduated last year, with just 1 year experience and although I was a smart girl I made a STUPID mistake. She asked them to not pay me and give me a warning instead of ruining my career before it even started and taking away my license.
What did I get myself into! I did not know what I did was fraud or that it was this serious. You would have thought I had killed a patient or something! And to possibly lose my license over this? All that hard work! Blood, sweat and tears all going to waste over something like this? Not worth it at all! I wish I could go back in time and change things ....
Meadow85, I am so sorry . This happened to a cna who worked with me a few years back. I know he was fired. But that is all I know.
I would hope for God's sake it is not cause to lose your license, as your rep stated on your behalf. You are a new nurse, made a mistake. I had not thought earlier of the being paid sick time. Is it too late to change your time to unexcused absense without pay? Or sicktime without pay? That would be one way of clearing it up. Especially if you have not as yet received a pay check with the sick time/pay on it, I believe they can not touch your license.
Also, why in the heck didn't your room mate let you know that someone called for you? That might have given you some warning.
Fraud? Wow, I hope they don't take away your license, that just seems over the top to me... Good luck! Keep us informed.
Thank you!! What kind of ____ is that? Fraud?! I thought the powers that be saved that for something a little more serious than what she actually did. I feel for you! I'll keep you in my prayers, PLEASE keep us posted. I'm glad I don't work in your state. I thought the SBON in La. was difficult at times!!
They can't take away your license for that, it has nothing to do with your clinical practice. Whether they choose to keep you employed by them is another matter entirely.
I always tell people to remember that nursing really is a small world and you always have to watch your back. If you are going to do what you did, you have to cover your tracks well...... Intentional or not.
:banghead:
medsurgrnco, BSN, RN
539 Posts
Is that legal?