Update from my story, med error could cost my job

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Specializes in Orthopedics, Med/surg.

I just wanted to update all you guys out there who were pulling for me. Thank you for all your support, I greatly appreciate it.

Today I got a call from my employer, telling me to come in at 3pm for a meeting. My fate. I notified my mom and we began trying to contact my attorney (we later found out he was in court and was not accepting calls).

So I ventured in alone.

I have been terminated from my position. They stated:

Major offenses are any violations of hospital or safety rules of such degree that continued employment of the individual may not be desirable. The following are examples of offenses which will subject and employee to immediate discharge without warning, without notice, and without pay for notice. Dishonesty, including theft or misappropriation or the attempt of, or unauthorized possession of hospital property, possession of a controlled substance by employees. In light of the serious nature and consequence of these major violations, and in accordance with hospital policy on discipline, you are dismissed from your position as Registered Nurse effective today.

So, there we have it. I am seriously behind on my bills, and now I have no job. I have already started a job search. I talked with my attorney and he agrees that we have a good chance at a discrimination case against the hospital. I was off on a medical leave for three months, I came back in mid January. I have some work restrictions enforced by my physician for my well being, and they were unhappy with the restrictions. Normally they watch people for months before even acting on a case like this. I make one mistake, and they fire me. Fishy to me.

Just wanted to update all you guys. Thanks for the support again

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I am sorry it turned out this way. I wish you the best. Please consult your MD prior to accepting another position - maybe you need additional restrictions??

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Sorry to hear about what happened to you. Do not spend too much time going over the circumstances. What happened to you is not a rarity. Do spend some time thinking about how you will explain the situation to potential employers. Try not to dwell on your "shortcomings". I know how impossible this seems, but many good nurses who are good employees go through this. Concentrate on getting out there and getting that next position. May your next job turn out to be a blessing. We will send positive wishes your way.

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

Sorry to hear this. Keep your chin up!

Swtooth

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Sucks! Hang in there! I had a supervisor like that. Keep your chin up!

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Geez... If I were you I wouldn't want to work with them anyways, administration sounds corrupt!

Good luck on finding a new job, hopefully it will be refreshing!

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And they wonder why there is a nursing shortage! Nurses are treated so badly. If they would just stand up for themselves, things might change. But they won't. And administration knows it. Nurses are worried about what might happen to their patients. But what about all the patients down the line who will have to suffer from unconscionable nurse-patient ratios, and every thing else that is wrong with nursing today because nurses keep accepting things like they are? Administration cannot just call up the local temp agency and say"send me a warm body over here." Nurses have power. I wish they would use it.

I am 55 years old. I have gotten to watch nursing over a long period of time and see the changes, which is kind of neat. The bad part is that nursing and they way nurses are treated is much worse than it used to be.

I looked to see how old you were. You are only 25!. You have the wonderful ability to leave Nursing in the dust and go do anything you want! That is what I did. I went back to college the day after I turned 40 and became an accountant. I had taken a course to see what strengths I might have. For 2 solid years I carried a 4.0 GPA partly fueled by all the things I had to put up with as a nurse. All I had to do was think about getting up on Christmas Morning and going to work and I was good for two or more hours of study. Then I sat for and passed the CPA exam.

Now I am CFO of a company that makes custom electronics for drag racing cars. I am off every weekend, holiday, and night. And I love the trips.

OK. I am ready. Blast me.

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Sorry to hear that you lost your job over this. It seems like it was an honest mistake. Try to take this as a learning experience. As for being out of this facility, it sounds like it is not a great place to work. Good luck with finding a new job. Keep your chin up!

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And they wonder why there is a nursing shortage! Nurses are treated so badly. If they would just stand up for themselves, things might change. But they won't. And administration knows it. Nurses are worried about what might happen to their patients. But what about all the patients down the line who will have to suffer from unconscionable nurse-patient ratios, and every thing else that is wrong with nursing today because nurses keep accepting things like they are? Administration cannot just call up the local temp agency and say"send me a warm body over here." Nurses have power. I wish they would use it.

I am 55 years old. I have gotten to watch nursing over a long period of time and see the changes, which is kind of neat. The bad part is that nursing and they way nurses are treated is much worse than it used to be.

I looked to see how old you were. You are only 25!. You have the wonderful ability to leave Nursing in the dust and go do anything you want! That is what I did. I went back to college the day after I turned 40 and became an accountant. I had taken a course to see what strengths I might have. For 2 solid years I carried a 4.0 GPA partly fueled by all the things I had to put up with as a nurse. All I had to do was think about getting up on Christmas Morning and going to work and I was good for two or more hours of study. Then I sat for and passed the CPA exam.

Now I am CFO of a company that makes custom electronics for drag racing cars. I am off every weekend, holiday, and night. And I love the trips.

OK. I am ready. Blast me.

Nope. Won't blast you. Not a chance. I hate to say it, but you're right.
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I often wonder if I should go back to school and do something completely different, such as accounting. Then I wonder if I'd be bored and hate it just as much. I'm really glad you posted this. It gave me some insight, and even though everyone keeps sayings "things are the same everywhere", I see now that its not really true.

And they wonder why there is a nursing shortage! Nurses are treated so badly. If they would just stand up for themselves, things might change. But they won't. And administration knows it. Nurses are worried about what might happen to their patients. But what about all the patients down the line who will have to suffer from unconscionable nurse-patient ratios, and every thing else that is wrong with nursing today because nurses keep accepting things like they are? Administration cannot just call up the local temp agency and say"send me a warm body over here." Nurses have power. I wish they would use it.

I am 55 years old. I have gotten to watch nursing over a long period of time and see the changes, which is kind of neat. The bad part is that nursing and they way nurses are treated is much worse than it used to be.

I looked to see how old you were. You are only 25!. You have the wonderful ability to leave Nursing in the dust and go do anything you want! That is what I did. I went back to college the day after I turned 40 and became an accountant. I had taken a course to see what strengths I might have. For 2 solid years I carried a 4.0 GPA partly fueled by all the things I had to put up with as a nurse. All I had to do was think about getting up on Christmas Morning and going to work and I was good for two or more hours of study. Then I sat for and passed the CPA exam.

Now I am CFO of a company that makes custom electronics for drag racing cars. I am off every weekend, holiday, and night. And I love the trips.

OK. I am ready. Blast me.

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I am so sorry to hear that they treated you that way. Hang in there, you can find something better! Sounds like they wanted to get rid of you. Be prepared if you decide to litigate. It may take a looooong time before anything gets settled. IM me if you need anything.

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I'm sorry to hear how things worked out. You are young, though, and have your whole life to recover. I think you'll get past this and move on to something better.;)

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