VENT!! Called off and labeled "No Call No Show" LOOONG...

Nurses General Nursing

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Ok, So this today really got to me:

I was offered a position at a hospital I had worked at as an agency LPN, and I accepted. My agency was wonderful and knew that I was looking for a permanent place, so they let me go, w/o charging a fee. It was for float pool, but due to poor staffing, I somehow am still working 48 hrs a week (four 12's back to back, w/ weekends off).

Yesterday I received a call from the house supervisor, who told me that my shift was cancelled(I work 7p-7a, so this call was around 4p). So, I grabbed a few friends, told them I was off for the night, and went to catch a movie, followed by dinner. After I had gotten to dinner, and remembered to turn my cell phone back on (had it on silent during the movie), I noticed I had a voicemail. The VM stated that "One of our LPNs called and quit, and I know you were called off, but we need you. Come in ASAP".

I called the nursing office, but no answer. I hadn't worked in a few days(fri-sun, and then was cancelled on monday), so tonight a friend calls to check on me. I was then informed that I was labeled a no call no show:angryfire:angryfire:angryfire and I have to work dayshift tomorrow to meet with the house sup and the nursing director at the hospital to explain myself.

I know I posted this as a vent thread, but was I wrong? I was told I was cancelled, went out to a place where I couldn't use my phone, and then they decided they needed me. I wonder if this will result in disciplinary action? Getting an LPN position in a hospital is hard in my area, and I don't want to lose my job, but I fear what tomorrow brings. Any advice? I really love this job...

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First of all..don't erase that voicemail on your phone. That proves that they called you off for that night. I'm not sure how this whole scenario counts as a no call no show? You were called off and you did not agree to come in after that. This has got to be a mix up. Just state the facts, who called you off and when. Keep us posted.

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Specializes in Medical/Surgical.

At our hospital, if you are called off for the whole shift, they can't just call you back. Even though you are angry now, be calm during your meeting and explain what happened. It sounds like a misunderstanding. It definitely will be helpful if you saved the message.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

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Specializes in PACU, ED.

Unless you'd agreed to be on call, you had no requirement to be reachable by phone or to come in after they called you off. That voicemail is proof if they should try to claim you weren't called off. I'd let them lay out whatever they want to say and then present your side. Hopefully the house supervisor won't lie about calling you off. If so, you have your proof and a bit more information about his/her integrity.

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Specializes in Oncology.

You were called off, it's not like you were "on call" for them should they need you later.

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I do have both VMs saved, and I will try to be as calm as I can be. But this is such an annoyance, especially because the hospital I work at is a decent place to work (although I may not sound like it now), and no other hospital in my area hires LPNs. I'm not cut out for a LTC facility(that takes a special nurse, and I'm very proud of all of you that can do it:yeah:), and I grew weary of agency. If this should lead to my termination, the closest hospital that hires LPNs would be an hour and a half drive, and I don't think I could do that.

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No, I never agreed to be on call. And just to clarify, the call off was a VM that I responded to. No mention of being on call was made, although I was told the census was low, and that's why I was called off.

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Specializes in Medical/Surgical.

You have the proof, yay! I think you will be OK. It really sounds like a miscommunication between supervisor and the other administrative staff.

Be calm, smile, whip out the proof if and when needed, and I am sure your job will be safe.

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You should be absolutely in the clear. Keep the VM as advised and stay calm. It could be they had a miscommunication on their end and you just need to tell them that. Of course sign nothing as you weren't on call and this is in no way a no show/no call. Perhaps your friend just got things twisted through the grapevine which happens sometimes. They really have no legal grounds to fire you and if it looks to be heading that way ask for union rep if you have one or for HR to come into the meeting at once. I have a feeling you might be worrying for nothing but keep us posted.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

My first thought when I read your post was "WHAT?!!!!" I have been a nurse for 18 years, and I did work for a facility that tried to do something similar to that to me. My dh is also an RN and works as a nsg supervisor at one of our major facilities. He has been a sup for the last 18 or 19 years, so I thought I would get his opinion too. I read him the opening of your post and he looked up from what he was doing and said, "What did you just say?? I know I heard you wrong." I read it to him a second time and he said "please tell me that nurse isn't going to fall for some kind of ____ like that!"

It sounds like the powers that be in this facility that did that to you either just lost their mind, or something. I know I would not want to depend on this facility to put food on my table, because if they will do something like that and not seem to think twice about it, what else will they end up doing to keep their own tails out of the fire??

I mean, most places when you are labelled as a no call, no show, you can be blacklisted and not hired at other facilities just because of that. As high as prices for everything, food, gas, utilities, ect have been staying, I would not appreciate in the least someone trying to do something like that to me. What would it have hurt to just be honest and call to say that another nurse just called and quit. We are short staffed, can you please come in even though you were already called off?"

It's not like a little honesty would hurt them. PLEASE!! I would makje sure that I kept any messages I had or calls regarding being called off, and of course the message where they called you and wrongly accused you of being a no call, no show.

This would totally give me a good case of "the reds", excuse my language. No excuse for it, just them trying to pull something over on you, just because they thought you would just roll over and take whatever they did or said.

Keep us posted, that is just crazy - Anne, RNC :angryfire:angryfire

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My first thought when I read your post was "WHAT?!!!!" I have been a nurse for 18 years, and I did work for a facility that tried to do something similar to that to me. My dh is also an RN and works as a nsg supervisor at one of our major facilities. He has been a sup for the last 18 or 19 years, so I thought I would get his opinion too. I read him the opening of your post and he looked up from what he was doing and said, "What did you just say?? I know I heard you wrong." I read it to him a second time and he said "please tell me that nurse isn't going to fall for some kind of ____ like that!"

It sounds like the powers that be in this facility that did that to you either just lost their mind, or something. I know I would not want to depend on this facility to put food on my table, because if they will do something like that and not seem to think twice about it, what else will they end up doing to keep their own tails out of the fire??

I mean, most places when you are labelled as a no call, no show, you can be blacklisted and not hired at other facilities just because of that. As high as prices for everything, food, gas, utilities, ect have been staying, I would not appreciate in the least someone trying to do something like that to me. What would it have hurt to just be honest and call to say that another nurse just called and quit. We are short staffed, can you please come in even though you were already called off?"

It's not like a little honesty would hurt them. PLEASE!! I would makje sure that I kept any messages I had or calls regarding being called off, and of course the message where they called you and wrongly accused you of being a no call, no show.

This would totally give me a good case of "the reds", excuse my language. No excuse for it, just them trying to pull something over on you, just because they thought you would just roll over and take whatever they did or said.

Keep us posted, that is just crazy - Anne, RNC :angryfire:angryfire

Thank you. In no way will I fall for this. My hospital isn't part of a union. I'll let you guys know what happens tomorrow. I'm doing 7a-7p tomorrow so that everyone will be there and they can say what ever it is they want to tell me. I've got my proof, and I can't stress enough how much I enjoy my job. The other LPNs, RNs, Techs, are great to work with, and this is the first time this has EVER happened to me. You make a valid point about this facility not being dependable and this could get me blacklisted, but as I said earlier, the only other hospital that hires LPNs is a great deal away, and I'm just not cut out for LTC. My experience has always been acute care, even with the agencies I've worked for, and I only worked 2 shifts for them in a NH to know that it wasn't my cup o' tea. Again, I'll keep you posted. Good night, guys!

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If they are reluctant to own up to their mistake, you have a picture of things and might want to go back to the agency for a fill in shift here or there to have your foot in the door for a possible replacement job in the future. You never know when things might get kicked up a notch and a second job might come in handy.

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