I started my first RN job almost exactly 3 months ago. It's at a SNF and isn't a bad place to work but, I had to face it... my true passion and interest is in acute care nursing; I want more experience in IVs, critical care, etc...So I applied for new graduate programs, got interviewed, and landed an ICU position.
I'm blessed and humbled and never thought I could get this opportunity. The program is starting soon soi put in my 2 weeks notice with my current nursing manager who got very upset with me and turned into a whole new person. She threatened if I didn't tell her that I got a new offer, she'd tell any place calling for a reference that I didn't work there or would ignore them. She also let me know I wouldn't be needed anyway because they have enough coverage, and now she's been cutting my shifts with various excuses.
RNs at this SNF are very limited... and she's usually calling to ask if we can work double...so when she told me she was cutting my shift because we're overstaffed and I saw night nurses working day shift, my intuition told me something is wrong. Is this worth going to HR over? Can I justify this as harassment? I know I'm leaving anyway but I really needed that money (a week's pay) and would rather her just let me go so I get paid instead of texting me every morning to say she canceled my shift. I'm relieved to be leaving, sad it's ending like this.
Dear SNF to ICU,
Congrats on getting accepted to a residency!
Your manager takes passive-aggressive to a new level. She's angry that you are leaving after 3 months and striking back. The only retaliation she has is to affect your pocketbook. The rest are idle threats.
Know that in any job, once you give notice, you are subject to being immediately released from employment. Employers have no obligation to keep you on although it is professional and expected to give notice.
HR is not going to back you up here. First of all, the manager has the right to call people in and call people off. She is not violating policy unless it is written somewhere that call-offs have to rotate among staff. Even so, HR is not going to get involved. To them, you are an ex-employee and a short-term one at that.
It's best to cut your losses and put this in the rearview mirror. Let it go and look forward. Soon you are going to be in ICU, immersed in your new, exciting job, and learning so much.
