Suspended without pay for expired TB requirement?

[lsvalliant]

My employer told me on Friday that my annual TB test was going to expire this weekend and instructed me that they would suspend me without pay on Monday if I couldn't get one done over the weekend. Problem is that I had plans to take PTO for a half day on Friday to go out of town for the weekend so it was impossible for me to comply with their request. I was really upset that the HR administrator lied to my supervisor and said she notified me a month ago via text. I have absolutely no correspondences of this until the day before it expired. So can they legally do this? How much recourse do I have if any?

[Elladora]

I received a written warning once because I let my BLS expire. I had ACLS at the time so I thought (stupid) that it would count. Nope. I never thought I deserved a written warning, but you know I did. Haven't ever forgotten to renew ANYTHING since. Sometimes if we dont receive any consequences for our lapses were very likely to make the same mistake again. Like me, I bet you won't do that again. Learn and move on.

I let my nursing license lapse. Talk about an expensive life lesson! I have multiple, multiple reminders set up now.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Wondering why OP has not been back?

[Jensmom7, BSN, RN]

Wondering why OP has not been back?

Looking for someone to give her a PPD??

[lsvalliant]

for a simple fee of $100/year, I can remind you to renew your RN license too, if you'd like so that way, you won't get suspended again

Hi OP here. I haven't had time to reply because I've been too busy in the past 48 hours working at my job to check the forum, but update... I did NOT get suspended, thank goodness. I did get a PPD on Sunday (having it read tomorrow) and I did send an email to a HR supervisor that I was very sorry I forgot my annual this year and it wont happen again. It was almost a very expensive mistake, over a grand plus OT in the last 48 hours if I had been suspended. AND yes I might take you up on that offer $100 a year for reminders because it is not worth losing that much money. And even though I'm great at my job as I work very independently, I'm not very organized when it comes to other things. Your right I cant really expect someone else to keep track of my credentials even though I've had that luxury with my company for the past 3 years. Never again

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Glad it worked out!

[SmilingBluEyes]

Meh lesson learned.

Years ago, when we had to renew licensure via mail, something went wrong between my house and the BON office and my renewal did not get sent to me or my workplace in time (my birthday). Needless to say, lots of frustration; a lot of phone calls and faxes later, I was able to work my shift that night. It was a real lesson learned. I learned to be proactive and keep up on these things----CPR, License currency, annual workplace education, CEUs (I got audited by the BON for CEU maintenance this year, so if you think that won't happen, think twice).

It's your career; no one is gonna guard it for ya but YOU.

[DWelly14]

Unfortunately it is on you, even though it totally does suck that the HR person lied. But get the PPD placed, get it read, and plan better for next year. At worst you should only be off a day or two if you really can't get it done over the weekend because they should reinstate you once you are again compliant (unless you have other performance issues).

[marialsnd]

At the facility I work at, all of our yearly tests and CPR are due to be done during our birthday month. It makes it easier to remember when to have things complete rather than keep track of a bunch of random dates. You could do something like that for yourself, even if you have to do some of those requirements before they're due, it would be easy to get everything done at once.

[OlaHospiceRNBSN]

I've just been promoted in my company and am now the compliance nurse. Today is December 30th and I've spent the last 2 weeks trying to get all of the nurses to get their CPR, TB, and annual training courses up-to-date before January 1st. I've been calling, emailing, texting...and still I have a whole list of people who are simply ignoring me. It's MADDENING! There is no excuse for grown, adult health care professionals to allow their mandatory employment items to lapse. Yes, I absolutely agree with the suspension without pay, because unfortunately I can tell you first-hand that it's obviously the only way to make sure it's done.

[sailornurse]

I keep an updated printout of all certs/renewals in big FONTS over my desk with a copy in my notebook with all my credentials; current resume,TB; BLS, Rn licenses, NP licenses, ANCC certificates, DEA, pharmacy license. I keep all my CEU certificates in a separate notebook, tossing new documents on top with a running total of CEU's. Just get a notebook for all your documents with clear cover that you can put you list on the outside.

[compassionresearcher]

At my facility it's always due in your birth month, makes it easier to remember.

[savannahpam]

Easy solution is to go to an Urgent care where you will be out of town and get a reading in 48 hrs and take it to work with you. Readings are 48-72 hrs. Problem solved!