Team leader "helping me find a new job"

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I am an experienced ED nurse, I love my job, and despite many other insecurities in my life, I know I am a darn good nurse. I have been at a hospital for two years in an ED that I have loved dearly until the last few weeks. Management has been cutting staff to a bare minimum. There have been times when every room has been full, patients waiting in the lobby and ambulances lined up to bring patients in and staff has been "low censused", leaving those of us left with often a 5:1 ratio with no techs and many of those are ICU patients. I put a couple of applications with hospitals closer to my home in the same hospital system. My team leader came up to me today and said "I hear you are looking for a new job and I am going to help you." I felt as if I had been punched.

She said she would help me find something else. I was at a loss for words, which is rare for me. I fought tears and went on to take care of my patients. At lunch, I walked into the breakroom and burst into tears. I found out that I wasnt the only one that had been given this "talk". I then went to my team leader and asked if I was being asked to leave. I asked if there were any performance issues or patient care issues. I have always have excellent reviews. I was told that there were no issues, but they needed to cut 500 hours so they were trying to relocate as many nurses as possible to avoid firing anyone. I was told I was one of their best performers.

Why do I feel so defeated? Is this normal or am I just overreacting?

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I understand that the situation is upsetting ... but I am not sure which aspect is really the focus of your distress. Are you feeling angry at the Team Leader who had heard that you had already applied for other positions? It doesn't sound like you are being fired because of poor performance. It sounds like the Team Leader was just trying to help by helping someone (you) who has shown an interest in leaving to find a new job so that someone who really wants to say doesn't have to be involuntarily terminated. And it is kinder to help people find new jobs than it is to just cut people lose with no where to go.

Now ... the fact that your ED is downsizing its staff is a whole other issue. I wonder what is behind that decision.

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They say the hospital isn't making money and the "powers that be" have mandated a staff cut. I cannot understand cutting staff when the lobby is full of patients are there aren't enough nurses to care for them.

Anger isnt the right word for my feelings toward the team leader. I am more hurt and puzzled that a staff member with a stellar reputation, the only staff nurse with an emergency certification and nothing less than excellent reviews is being escorted off to another position while the MD's are complaining that the new nurses have lack of training and experience. I guess I just sad that after all my dedication and hard work, it seems that I am being dismissed without so much as a thought. I have so many areas of my life that I feel insecure in, but I have not once questioned my abilities as a nurse and now I feel like I am being discarded.

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Specializes in Oncology.

It sounds like they value you and want you to be happy, not like you're being "escorted off to another unit." I think if they thought you wanted to stay they'd be fighting to keep you. This sounds like a dismal ER to work in. 5:1 ratios with critical patients is insane.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.
They say the hospital isn't making money and the "powers that be" have mandated a staff cut. I cannot understand cutting staff when the lobby is full of patients are there aren't enough nurses to care for them.

Anger isnt the right word for my feelings toward the team leader. I am more hurt and puzzled that a staff member with a stellar reputation, the only staff nurse with an emergency certification and nothing less than excellent reviews is being escorted off to another position while the MD's are complaining that the new nurses have lack of training and experience. I guess I just sad that after all my dedication and hard work, it seems that I am being dismissed without so much as a thought. I have so many areas of my life that I feel insecure in, but I have not once questioned my abilities as a nurse and now I feel like I am being discarded.

You are experienced, therefore more expensive. That is the only thing "wrong" with you. I know it's hard to understand when the team leader admitted you are one of the best nurses, but thank your lucky stars you're getting out before a sentinel event happens due to understaffing and/or inexperience of the staff you do have.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I cannot understand cutting staff when the lobby is full of patients are there aren't enough nurses to care for them.
Perhaps not enough of these ER patients are 'paying patients.' And if they lack payor sources, providing care to them costs the hospital money that they cannot recoup.

Money rules everything around you and I. If the lobby full of patients isn't generating money by paying for services rendered, then the hospital is going to maintain their bottom line by cutting staff. It might not be nice, but it is what it is.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
They say the hospital isn't making money and the "powers that be" have mandated a staff cut. I cannot understand cutting staff when the lobby is full of patients are there aren't enough nurses to care for them.

Anger isnt the right word for my feelings toward the team leader. I am more hurt and puzzled that a staff member with a stellar reputation, the only staff nurse with an emergency certification and nothing less than excellent reviews is being escorted off to another position while the MD's are complaining that the new nurses have lack of training and experience. I guess I just sad that after all my dedication and hard work, it seems that I am being dismissed without so much as a thought. I have so many areas of my life that I feel insecure in, but I have not once questioned my abilities as a nurse and now I feel like I am being discarded.

I think you missed the whole point of your team leader...she KNOWS the conditions stink. She KNOWS they will be laying off/cutting jobs. She likes you and wants to help you bale out of the present situation by helping you get another job. She is throwing you a life boat off the sinking ship because she likes you and thinks you are a good nurse.

"I hear you are looking for a new job and I am going to help you."
She wants to help you...Get OFF THE SINKING SHIP. Thank her for wanting to help you leave.

The administrators don't care about the patients in the hall...they care about the bottom line...costs. Nurses cost money and bring no revenue. It's simple math to them get rid of the biggest cost...nurses.

A sign of the times....((HUGS))

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Rule #1.. never let 'em see you cry.

Yes, you are over reacting and taking this personally. So take some deep breaths and analyze this.

Esme said it all.

You are a commodity, not a nurse.

Administration knows you are fried.. and looking for a new position.They will eventually lose you anyway and want to cut their losses.

It's really a compliment.

Good luck in your new job, please keep us posted.

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I hope Esme has the correct take, see, I took it as a threat.....

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Specializes in Medsurg, Public Hlth, School Nurse, Acute Rehab.

I took your post like Esme did as well. If she wanted to get rid of you she'd just fire you. If my manager was willing to help me find a better job I'd gladly let her. She's helping you make the transition smoother. It really is a compliment! Can't wait to see how this turns out.

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They say the hospital isn't making money and the "powers that be" have mandated a staff cut. I cannot understand cutting staff when the lobby is full of patients are there aren't enough nurses to care for them.

Anger isnt the right word for my feelings toward the team leader. I am more hurt and puzzled that a staff member with a stellar reputation, the only staff nurse with an emergency certification and nothing less than excellent reviews is being escorted off to another position while the MD's are complaining that the new nurses have lack of training and experience. I guess I just sad that after all my dedication and hard work, it seems that I am being dismissed without so much as a thought. I have so many areas of my life that I feel insecure in, but I have not once questioned my abilities as a nurse and now I feel like I am being discarded.

I haven't been in nursing long (3 yrs) and have never worked in the ED, but it sounds to me like you were "chosen" because you probably cost more than the new nurses, with all of your certifications and qualifications. It doesn't sound like it was anything you did (based on your post). I'm sorry you're in that situation! Good luck!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
They say the hospital isn't making money and the "powers that be" have mandated a staff cut. I cannot understand cutting staff when the lobby is full of patients are there aren't enough nurses to care for them.

Anger isnt the right word for my feelings toward the team leader. I am more hurt and puzzled that a staff member with a stellar reputation, the only staff nurse with an emergency certification and nothing less than excellent reviews is being escorted off to another position while the MD's are complaining that the new nurses have lack of training and experience. I guess I just sad that after all my dedication and hard work, it seems that I am being dismissed without so much as a thought. I have so many areas of my life that I feel insecure in, but I have not once questioned my abilities as a nurse and now I feel like I am being discarded.

I'd take what the team leader said at face value. She values your contributions and would like to help you find a new position.

As far as the hospital goes -- it looks as though they're "encouraging" those at the higher end of the pay scale to move on; the new nurses care friendlier to the budget in the short run. That happens, and it's short sighted.

I'm sorry you're in this position, and I hope you find a better job soon!

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