Suspended and Unsure.

[VerbalGrl715]

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

[sparketteinok]

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.

Nope. Managers do not givenurses any kind of backbone and are all too willing to throw the best nurses under the bus. Have seen this too many times.

[Batman25]

Verbal..check your handbook about pay for suspensions and see if there is anything in there. I would also go to HR and complain that you weren't paid for 3 days while suspended and it was untrue and your manager has stated as such. That's bogus you weren't paid. No reason for you to be penalized and out money in these tough economic times. I think you should put up a fight here and see where it goes. Sometimes those who speak up get the money. Couldn't hurt any.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

Resigning does NOT equate necessarily to no unemployment comp. Check into it. All they can say is yes or no.

Verbal - so you are working but looking for a new job. Does your manager think you actually did wrong? Exactly what did you wrongly do or not do or do do or triple don't doo doo? What did the dtr want? doesn' t she realize that it was your very attentiveness that caught her dad's problems and got transfer and lifesaving treatment for him? What does your boss say to that? And she needs to tell you, step by step, in writing, how you should have handled the man - so you can learn the right way and never repeat your "mistakes".

I think you might have recourse not only to speak to HR but to the CEO and COO and all the other C__O's around the place so you can at least be paid for the 3 days' suspension.

I guess you ought to be looking for a new job, but I wouldn't let this idiot manager, cruel and vicious as she truly is, off the hook so lightly. The way she left you in suspense all weekend, the loss of 3 days' pay - that's too much. And then to not even tell you exactly what you did wrong or exactly how you should have handled it differently - I think maybe you ought to get a lawyer. Sue for emotional damages. Go out sick/stressed, which is absolutely true. You wouldn't have to fake that.

No, it's not enough to be her. She has raped you, my dear. You have been unfairly punished, and tormented on top of it.

Well, maybe there's more to this that you have not said here and I'm getting upset for nothing. I wish you all the best.

You, too, Old-new.

[pennyaline]

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!

I understand what you say about the facility not wanting to lose a specialist's admissions, but come on. When you receive a disciplinary action, they have to tell you what you did! The choice you were given (resign or become a probationary employee) doesn't make sense in terms of disciplinary action. If your infraction had been that bad I would think your options would have been to resign or be fired, or be just plain fired. Instead, you were given the chance to keep your job with conditions that didn't seem that terrible and I'm not clear about why you didn't take your manager up on it.

But what's done is done. This is why I get so militant about telling nurses to keep copies of every write up, every warning - even verbal warnings, yes there should be records of verbal warnings - every time they try to screw us over. If you happen to have a copy of your manager's resign-or-be-probationary offer, use it. Apply for unemployment and take your documentation with you. Otherwise, the only written reports the UI people will have to work with will be what your former employer gives them - foremost, your resignation - and your former employer will manufacture whatever other documents, write ups, witness statements, etc. it needs to suit the circumstances and try to get you denied. (Don't believe me? I've seen it done!)

[new_oldRN]

The hospital I worked for has a reputation for doing everything for the doctors, forgetting that the nurses are the one's at bedside caring for the patients 24/7. Administration has done this very thing before; part of the reason I'm glad I'm out of there. I agree that keeping records is essential for protecting yourself, as well as impecable charting. I am going to focus on getting myself organized and figure out what type of unit I want to work on, then start applying for jobs again.

[VerbalGrl715]

Just to catch everyone up on what happened to me. I have reported my boss for not following protocol and not paying me. I will get the money with my next check. I also put in my 2 weeks notice today. I found a new job at a more reputable hospital. It may not be a perfect job, but at least I can start over fresh and hope the management supports their staff. Thank you to all for your advice and support

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

OP: best of luck at your new place...and that the last two at your current place are as uneventful as possible! :)

[nursel56]

Thanks for updating, VerbalGrl. When one person fights back it helps all of us. :redpinkhe