OK I am breaking my silence and getting down to the rawness of my situation, if only just to vent, but open to advice as this IS the best place for the truth!!
In a nutshell, I am an unemployed (as of 9/2013--way too long for my blood) RN with several years of experience in healthcare. I was terminated from my last job after over 5yrs of dedication and hard work, and I loved my job, boss, co-workers (most of them), and house supervisors. I am a telemetry nurse, however went (not by choice) into the staff float pool--which gave me great experience in different areas of nursing!! Now, my attendance suffered, I WILL take responsibility for that with no excuse--despite my calling off often d/t heavy bleeding which led to the dx of a 4lb 20cm ovarian cyst (complex, btw, suspicious for neoplasm at the time of dx) which led to a TAH/BSO, appy, frozen resection (thankfully NEGATIVE) which led to a lengthy hospital stay and significant time off (FMLA thankfully)--however I am guilty of the attendance.
That being said, I had two suspicious "occurrences" on the same unit (ironically the same unit that ushered me off to float pool) one being a charting error--I began to chart and didn't finish d/t the patient running a fever, charted all that I did do, i.e. call the doctor asap, get orders, and help change the patient who was stable but soaked in sweat. So I chose patient care over the computer and got a ding for that. The next and final ding baffles me to this day...I work nights, had a patient on a heparin drip at a fixed rate with monitoring of serum ptt per protocol. Upon exchanging report with the day shift nurse (20 yrs my senior) was instructed to give a bolus and change the rate of the drip. At that point I politely pointed out the fixed rate, she took it upon herself to re-order the entire heparin protocol, without calling the doctor, and ordered me to give the med.
I know, I know, hindsight being 20/20, I should have just called the doctor myself! But she insisted it would be okay, and I really didn't want any report of my being insubordinate (it happens to nurses on that unit) so I reluctantly gave the med and made the change WITH two separate nurses witnessing (computer and physically) per the protocol! I charted appropriately, ordered a timed ptt for that afternoon, and went straight to a dentist appointment, late and exhausted at approx. 8:30am...did I mention my shift ended at 7:30am?? All of that occurred after shift's end.
It stirred within my mind, I knew I was headed for trouble, and sure enough, was called in the office by my well-meaning boss. Although no patient was harmed, I was asked why I gave the heparin, to which I replied with the truth. After further investigation, my writing a letter explaining what happened---the HR guy went Trump on me--FIRED!! I was devastated, frustrated, and panicked. No one else was let go except me. Of course, I know that rule of whomever administers the med is at fault, however what of the rule about a nurse writing an order to re-start a med without a doctor?? That nurse is fine and dandy, mean as a whip, and probably laughed at the whole situation--trust me, I know her, she would laugh. Can you say "thrown under the bus"??
In any case the hospital did not deny my unemployment, although the state went molasses on paying me, I am sinking in debt, not ever getting any real job offers despite applying to over 100 places. I am literally considering giving up the career that I have loved and fought for, overcoming huge adversity--teen mom, never attended high school, whew, if you all knew my true story of success over obstacle!! I cannot see myself doing anything else but I will have to drag my buns over to a college and see what/if I can return for. But wait! That's not the end, HERE is my juxtapose situation, is it worth a shot?? Will it work?? Can this be a break for me?? Read on...
I made tons of acquaintances during my time at my job. One of them is now a manager at a sister hospital under the same corporation. I called my former boss, I know, unorthodox, but she was very kind to me and when I asked her if I could re-apply at the other hospital, she said to go for it. I immediately sent an email to the acquaintance/manager, upon which she called me right back and after a positive lengthy discussion, she too, stated to go for it. She directed me as to which position to apply to, the differences in the two hospitals, and gave me a sense of hopefulness. She is a very no-nonsense nurse (one of the best I have known), so I went forward with the application(s). Come on AN, give it to me straight---do I have a chance here?? I am desperately in need of work!! I have been on five interviews with other companies, to no avail. Even thought about travel nursing, but that was way out of my budget. Thank you all in advance...also Happy Saturday!!
