Suspended and Unsure.

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I work on a telemetry/dialysis floor that has a high volume of critical care step down patients. Days are busy and stressful but I feel I always cover myself. I have been a nurse of a little over two years which no longer makes me a new nurse but I'm definitley still learning. Yesterday, I received a call from my nurse manager telling me not to come into work over the weekend and to report to her Monday morning at 10am (I was supposed to work Sat, Sun, Mon). When I asked her what was wrong she said it was due to a "patient complaint" that needed investigation and I could not work until she had more information. I know this can mean a number of things. She wouldn't even let me know if my job/license was in jeopardy. She here I am, on a Saturday afternoon, unable to enjoy my unexpected weekend off because I am pulling my hair out over the suspense of Monday morning. I'm assuming a former patient or family member of a former patient is seeking legal action against my hospital, and as an employee of the hospital, I am being put on the spot. I have asked co-workers if they have heard anything and no one has. I am reaching out to you fellow nurses to see if you can help me shed some light on all of this, especially if something similar has happened to you. Thank you

Specializes in IMCU.

I believe that because he is a specialist and admits a lot of patients to our facility, he probably told them to get rid of me. I don't know that for sure, but don't have any other answers for it either. Easier to force out an RN that costs you money than lose a doctor that brings in money. I'll be ok, I just have to develop a backbone so that this can never happen again. I'm not looking forward to sitting through hospital orientation!

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Specializes in Telemetry/Long Term and Critical Care.

Hello all,

Had my meeting today. Apparently a patient's daughter called my nurse manager livid accusing me of being negligent with her father's care because we had to transfer him to the MICU on my shift. According to her, if I were more attentive, he wouldn't of had to go, which believe me, it wasn't the case. She's ignorant and irrational and looking for someone to blame. The man was discharged on Friday and is fine and dandy (and will probably be back in 2 weeks with the same problem). Luckily I was thorough in my charting so there was very little I had to disclose. I also wasn't asked to sign anything (not that I would). My manager claimed she suspended me to "protect" me which I don't believe for a second. I also am not being paid. Needless to say, I'm choosing to not seek legal action because I don't feel it's worth it. If you knew my boss, you would understand it is enough of a punishment just to be her (she has health issues). I am however, currently searching for a new job. Liking the idea of a union. Thank you to all of you that have offered your stories, suggestions and responses. It was a huge comfort.

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I am SO glad it turned out weel for you.

You have malpractice, right?

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Specializes in Home Care.

I would have taken a suspension and looked for a new job before resigning.

I get the feeling there's more to this story than the OP wants to disclose.

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Specializes in Telemetry/Long Term and Critical Care.

Sorry, didn't make that clear. Didn't resign (wanted to, but didn't). But am looking for a new job

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Both Verbalgirl and Old-newRN -- being treated as if they are of no value - even though Old-newRN we don't know exactly why the nephrologist flipped out on her. Are there any managers that will go to bat for their nurses anymore??? What I read is so distressing to me. :(

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Hello all,

Had my meeting today. Apparently a patient's daughter called my nurse manager livid accusing me of being negligent with her father's care because we had to transfer him to the MICU on my shift. According to her, if I were more attentive, he wouldn't of had to go, which believe me, it wasn't the case. She's ignorant and irrational and looking for someone to blame. The man was discharged on Friday and is fine and dandy (and will probably be back in 2 weeks with the same problem). Luckily I was thorough in my charting so there was very little I had to disclose. I also wasn't asked to sign anything (not that I would). My manager claimed she suspended me to "protect" me which I don't believe for a second. I also am not being paid. Needless to say, I'm choosing to not seek legal action because I don't feel it's worth it. If you knew my boss, you would understand it is enough of a punishment just to be her (she has health issues). I am however, currently searching for a new job. Liking the idea of a union. Thank you to all of you that have offered your stories, suggestions and responses. It was a huge comfort.

Excellent example of how important documentation can be. I'm glad things went well. I'm angry they didn't pay you while suspended. Why should you be punished when you did nothing wrong? Glad you are looking for a new job. I'm sorry this happened to you.

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I believe that because he is a specialist and admits a lot of patients to our facility, he probably told them to get rid of me. I don't know that for sure, but don't have any other answers for it either. Easier to force out an RN that costs you money than lose a doctor that brings in money. I'll be ok, I just have to develop a backbone so that this can never happen again. I'm not looking forward to sitting through hospital orientation!

You let them off the hook too easy. Be resigning you aren't entitled to any unemployment. Your manager is setting a terrible precedent with the doctors and the nurses. Not every complaint is factual or deserved. Is she going to suspend and threaten a firing for every doctor complaint? That's dangerous especially if one doc is a head case. Learn not to give up your control and power so easily next time. I hope you find a new job very soon and a place that deserves you.

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Sorry for your troubles. Am I missing something here, or is nursing THAT bad (which I am tending to believe more of these days)? You got asked to resign because a patient complained, and the complaint was that her father was transferred to MICU?

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Specializes in L&D, QI, Public Health.
Sorry for your troubles. Am I missing something here, or is nursing THAT bad (which I am tending to believe more of these days)? You got asked to resign because a patient complained, and the complaint was that her father was transferred to MICU?

Even though the hospitals are at-will, isn't there some kind of process/policy to be disciplined? A verbal, then a written, etc.

As for the OP, I'm sorry, but a physician's complaint isn't cutting it as a reason to be fired. There has to be more to the story.

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Specializes in vascular, med surg, home health , rehab,.

So a complaint that apparently was completely unfounded from the sound of it cost you 3 days pay, embarrassment & to worry yourself silly for 3 days? To protect you? This is really a bad way to be treated. All she had to do is read your notes first. Can you complain to human resources about your treatment? At least it might stop this from happening to another nurse. My facility is unionised but on 30% of nurses are members. Up until recently really didn't know much about it, but a new union rep has started sending out information by mail regarding our rights, even if your not a member they will represent you. As management have been increasingly hostile towards its nurses, mostly in the name of improving their Hcahps scores and of course this means literally demanding the impossible from us and dismissing any of our complaints out of hand. Writing nurses up for all sorts of minor infractions is a sport. I was amazed to find I did actually have some recourse. So have a lot of nurses apparently, the union guy received lots of calls from nurses wanting to know how he knew they had just been written up...he didn't, it was random, but just goes to show how commonplace its become. I think that its a way to keep nurses from standing up for themselves as many are afraid to lose their jobs, the recession seems to be a big plus for managers these days. Having an issue with my own manager who is out for my blood so it seems, so can sympathize and hope you find a new job and a facilty with a union. At least there is some back up for this kind of thing. Shame that after all you go through to become a nurse your treated so appallingly.

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

I'm glad verbalgirl your suspension is over and accusations were able to be disproved. Old_newrn I couldn't feel worse for you. I think we are the same age, and the thought of a job search makes my blood run cold. I'm sorry you resigned, but I would have done the same thing. I'm the nurse who refused to push meds I thought were unsafe. The doc said I was too cautious and I couldn't care for his pts. In effect asking/demanding my job. If I get a similar ultimatum, I'll take the resignation option.

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