So in January I was promoted to nurse manager so all sorts if long hours and steep learning curves insued- which I expected. What I did not expect was that once I became salaried, I also became the hospital lackey. I had to take all the overtime and extra shifts that came up (since they didn't have to actually pay me the overtime) and there were a lot because we had nurses dropping like flies. So here I was with a full schedule charging and I was still responsible for all the duties of a nurse manager on top of it. Next thing I know, my husband and I find out that I was pregnant. I didn't get any slack in hours, in fact the situation got worse and when I told them I couldn't do it, I was basically told to suck it up because that was my job as nurse manager.
This week I had a miscarriage and was actually told that I had to suck it up and come in anyway. And in my state, I actually did! So there I am, sobbing and ubable to function when guess who joins the play- Joint. At which point I was told by my boss to suck it up and get onto the floor. The risk manager and hr ladies were there and were actually pressuring me to get onto the floor, too. The only reason I left was because my nurses got together and worked up a way for me to leave and the night nurse stayed for my shift. Now, fast forward a bit and today I find out that my boss told the nurses that I was just bleeding a bit and I was being hysterical and preventing everyone from doing their jobs. I may be a psych nurse, but I damn well can recognize a miscarriage when I see one.
I am so ****** beyond reason that I have to fight every day not to walk out in the middle of my shift. I hate it because my patients are suffering and so is the rest of my team. I quit as nurse manager, but I have no idea if there is any recourse I have against the hospital. I can't imagine anyone else having to go through what I just did. I am currently job hunting, but I still want to protect my team of nurses as I best able.
Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
Desertkat:
My deepest sympathies to you for the loss of your pregnancy. The same thing happened to me, but the conditions were not as extreme as yours. My manager was very supportive, as were my co-workers. I am just aghast that you had to endure such unjust behavior by your managers.
As a previous poster stated, this is the reason I declined any sort of management position. The expectations of management are mostly driven by the bottom line, and they have been out of practice for too long to understand that their expectations are far-fetched at best.
I admire you for going to work when you clearly longed to be at home with your hubby once he finished his FTX. It is unbearably difficult to go through a miscarriage, and with the dragons breathing down your back and telling you to suck it up only adds insult to injury. I also admire the nurses that work for you. They recognized what was happening and supported you. What a wonderful group of nurses they must be!
What are your plans now? Have you had ANY time to grieve? Is there any way you can take off a couple of days to let your body and mind heal?
I am sending hugs to you. I wish you only the best in the future. Take some time for yourself.
canesdukegirl, BSN, RN
1 Article; 2,543 Posts
Desertkat:
My deepest sympathies to you for the loss of your pregnancy. The same thing happened to me, but the conditions were not as extreme as yours. My manager was very supportive, as were my co-workers. I am just aghast that you had to endure such unjust behavior by your managers.
As a previous poster stated, this is the reason I declined any sort of management position. The expectations of management are mostly driven by the bottom line, and they have been out of practice for too long to understand that their expectations are far-fetched at best.
I admire you for going to work when you clearly longed to be at home with your hubby once he finished his FTX. It is unbearably difficult to go through a miscarriage, and with the dragons breathing down your back and telling you to suck it up only adds insult to injury. I also admire the nurses that work for you. They recognized what was happening and supported you. What a wonderful group of nurses they must be!
What are your plans now? Have you had ANY time to grieve? Is there any way you can take off a couple of days to let your body and mind heal?
I am sending hugs to you. I wish you only the best in the future. Take some time for yourself.