Terminated

Published

Wow, this is very hard to take in. I was just fired for something that I didn't even know I did wrong. I used my nursing judgement in Friday when a patient did something and I wrote a note about it. I even checked with 2 other nurses (sitting at the desk with me) to make sure a general note was adequate not an "expanded note" and they said that's all they would do too.

In any case it's the "termination process" that's killing me here. I was advised by a supervisor over the weekend to check in with someone from administration to review my "file" on Monday. Monday morning I get a phone call from another supervisor about Fridays incident, I explained in full detail. On my way in on Monday I get another phone call about Fridays "incident," I explain in full detail, said that it's all in my note and asked if I had anything to worry about. We arranged to meet Wednesday. I told her I was on my way in then anyway, she said not necessary.

I went in to review my file. My DON saw me, glared and went into her office. I went to see an administraitor I had a good connection with and told her that I wanted to sit down with her and review my file in private. We ran around for 10 minutes until I was told that the DON was ready to see me. I said that I wasn't here to see her and we were meeting Wednesday. Didn't seem to matter.

I went in. DON at her desk. Supervisor who called me at a table taking notes. They told me that I was suspended and I wasnt supposed to be there. Nobody had told me I was suspended before this. We had only aggreed to meet on Wednesday. They asked me to explain Fridays events where I did nothing wrong. I explained. I was criticized. I defended. They yelled. I started sweating, shaking and told theme that I had only come in to see my file. I left the office.

I was pulled into HR. They showed me my file. HR went to see my DON. The administrator I "trusted" came in to see me. I tried talking to her about my write ups to understand them because I didn't and then she started asking me about my wedding, insisting we lighten the mood and talk about that instead.

HR returned and said I needed to go back to the DON's office. DON, Suservisor, HR and me. I was told that I broke policy. I asked what one and if I could see it, they said no. I asked HR to advocate for me, she said that she has to advocate for everyone in the room, including the DON and Supervisor. I was handed a paper that said I was terminated. I told them I did what I was trained to do, they need to re-educate the people who trained me. They said this isn't about them, this is about you. I got up and walked out. HR followed my yelling "I'm going to need your badge!" I tried to step into an office she said " you can't go in there!" Then "don't forget to bring back your badge!"

I don't know I'm mixed up. I was looking for other employment and I'm about 90% sure I have another job. But this termination process seems very weird. I have felt like my head had been on a chopping block for weeks and I think they were looking for anything to kick me out. Should I do anything about this? If so, what?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

Seems extremely, if I perceived an error, when I was DON, I tried turning it into a "teachable moment"

best wishes

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

It's hard to understand your situation due to lack of details. But you are correct to be vague on the internet. I'm just not sure that anyone can advise you without a better understanding of the situation.

By "do anything," do you mean challenge your termination? If so, your best bet would be to hire an attorney who would have access to all the details.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Sounds like they've been looking for a reason to let you go. If it wasn't this, it would be something else. I would see no value to myself to continue working there. So with that in mind, I wouldn't "do anything" unless you're hoping for compensatory damages. Wrongful termination lawsuits are very hard to win, though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

If you could at least tell us what the patient did, then we could provide examples of how we'd respond/proceed if in that particular situation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Sounds like they've been looking for a reason to let you go. If it wasn't this, it would be something else. I would see no value to myself to continue working there. So with that in mind, I wouldn't "do anything" unless you're hoping for compensatory damages. Wrongful termination lawsuits are very hard to win, though.

Wrongful termination lawsuits, are a piece of cake with the right lawyer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What exactly were you terminated for? If you were called in to review your "file".. it looks like you have been in the disciplinary process.. and this incident was the final straw.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wasn't called in to review my file. I went in to see it for myself so I could understand it. I had a meeting arranged for Wednesday and they decided to meet with me yesterday because I was there. I don't want to give details on what happened Friday, but I can honestly say that I don't believe I did anything wrong, and if it happened again I would do the same thing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm not sure what you are wanting here. We have no idea what really happened, what you actually did, what they objected to about your actions, etc. I guess all we can do is give you moral support. Yes, you could get a lawyer to fight it if you have the $$ to do so.

Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.

I don't really understand what happened. But I definitely can say that I saw a lot of shady employment practices in LTC/SNF.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

While I do not understand what exactly happened, there are couple of things for future reference:

1) never, EVER trust anybody from administration. Period. These guys are not your friends.

2). Never, EVER trust HR. Same as above.

3). Never, ever, sign anything you do not understand. If they cannot let you know what schmolicy you broke, POLITELY and INDIRECTLY let them know that the further talks will resume just as soon as the schmolicy in question will be given to you in written form, WITH the date on it (so you know it was not just pulled from the thin air for the case). "I am so sorry but I just do not understand what is the problem with (...)", repeat as needed.

4). Never, EVER buy out talks about weddings, churches, kids, dogs, etc. You were called to see the file, so that's what you are going to do. POLITELY redirect the talk.

5). Secure relationship with workplace violation lawyer before you accept any job. It can be the same guy who runs your estate/family/other neutral business just sitting there, for the beginning. Usually it is enough to bring everybody else in the room back to the Earth.

6). Never argue and never defend anything. Never tell that other nurses did the same thing or worse -everybody speeds, but only someone gets pulled off. That's life, it is not fair, but it is an absolute unprofessional thing to push your mistakes to someone else. Speak ONLY about yourself.

7). There is no such thing as "excessive nursing note". If it has to be the size of "War and Peace", so be it.

8). ONE discipline on file should be a reason to look for other place, two such things are absolute indication to change jobs STAT, till you still can do it on your own.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Palliative, Onc, Med-Surg, Home Hospice.
Wrongful termination lawsuits, are a piece of cake with the right lawyer.

Not in a right to work state.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion