OMG! I am SO upset. ~~O/T

[madisonsmom]

I was just informed by my job that I would be terminated on 9/30/05[img]smileys/smilies_06.gif[/img] -the end of my probationary period due to absences. I started on 3/30 and Conner had 2 more seizures April and I had to take him to the doctor and I stayed home with him on 2 occasions. Since then he has been on meds and is doing fine. I had a 3 month evaluation in June and they told me to try not to miss anymore time. When you have kids they come first...

Well Madison was in the hospital from August 23rd to August 25th. She was running a high fever and had bloody diarrhea with mucous in it. She was dehydrated and got IV fluids and IV Rocephin. Of course all of these times I was scheduled to work. UGH! Anyway...she had something called campylobacter jejuni...a bacterial intestinal infection that I have no idea where she got it. Well my whole family ended up getting it and of course I get sick with it on a Tuesday (Scheduled to work) This illness was reported to the health dept because its a foodborne illness. So...since I am in healthcare I could not work...not that I wanted to. The health dept contacted my work and told them that I could not do direct patient care and did they have anything else I could do. They said "No, we dont want our staff getting sick."

BTW...that infection comes from undercooked foods, unpasturized milk, infected cats or dogs...We had our puppy checked and he is ok. I cook all my food thoroughly and bleach my counters and I am a avid hand washer. The only thing I can think of is she got her hands in the trash maybe?? On a chicken container? The trash can is in the utility room and it is gated off but she could have reached through the gate. I dont know.

I am SO upset. They told me I could work until the 30th of Sept. But I just walked out. I didnt sign anything....I just asked what the purpose was for requesting documentation for the absences. I had documentation for every absence.

They went on to tell me that I was a good nurse and my skills were great but since I am in my probationary period they had to let me go. I have never been terminated. I walked out but was going to be terminated.

I started to cry in their...they thought I was going to work...I said "You can find someone else to work tonight"



I just cant believe it. I have worked overtime for them...[img]smileys/smilies_07.gif[/img]UGH! No wonder they are short staffed all the time.


Thanks for listening if you go this far![img]smileys/smilies_16.gif[/img]

[Jenneh]

gah. bloomin' hell. i'm sorry, so sorry to hear this.


i really don't know what to suggest/say... sorry for being useless...


but ur kids do come first and u'v done the right thing all along. just a series of unfortunate events i guess. things can only get better, right?


Jen xxx

[madisonsmom]

I hope they get better.





Maybe it happened for a reason...

[shiva]

Debbie, I am so sorry. I have no idea why people are such assholes. What would they have liked you to do differently? Like you wanted your family to be sick!! And to sit there and tell you that you are skilled, BUT... My God! I would have walked out, too. I hope that you and your husband arefinanciallystable enough that you can afford to have had this happen to you. I am sure that you will find something better. Good luck with everything.

[aguerra29]

That sucks!!! Talk about no flexibility. Kids/family always come first.

I think nurses are in high demand right now, so hopefully you won't have a problem finding something new. My cousin is an RN and she has two children. She works like 3 12 hours shifts then has the rest of the week off. It really helps her run her household.

I agree, this probably happened for a reason - something better is out there for you!

Keep your head up!

[samara's on tv]

How can they fire you for that? That's just CRAZY! When your family is sick they need you! And when you are sick you need to take care of yourself! What a load of bull! I'm sure you'll find something better and hopefully more forgiving then your last job!


~Monica

[madisonsmom]

[img]smileys/smilies_46.gif[/img]Thank you. I am hoping I can find something better. I had good insurance...[img]smileys/smilies_06.gif[/img]at least my husband has insurance. UGH! We should be ok for a short time financially.


Christmas is coming...[img]smileys/smilies_06.gif[/img]

[sillygirl]

The same thing happened to my mother in law. She is a pediatrics nurse and missed work because 1) her son got pnemonia, 2) she got pnemonia, 3) her daughter had the flu. Over the three illnesses, she missed I think it was 5 days in 6 months so they told her if she missed another day she would be terminated. She ended up finding another job and quitting, but I thought it was so ridiculous! You would think a medical profession would understand calling in sick. Would they rather you came in an infected the already sick patients? It is just amazing to me!


I'm sure you will find something else. I do believe, like you said, everything happens for a reason. Nursing is one of the most highly rgowing fields right now so I'm sure you will have no problem getting another job. I'm sorry you are going through all of this. Hang in there!

[madisonsmom]

You guys are so great. Thank you so much for your kind replies. I having been SO upset. Reading your replies makes me feel better!





[img]smileys/smilies_46.gif[/img]

[madisonsmom]

You know what the bad thing is...I liked my job. I got along with everyone and I had NO IDEA that this was coming.

[rileyl]

So sorry to hear this happened to you! I work full time and am raising my kids essentially on my own. (Dad lives in another state.) I know the pressure of being pulled between your kids and a job that you need. My kids always come first. but I cannot afford to lose my job. It puts working parents in an impossible bind. A lot of employers say they are supportive, but their tune changes when the reality of a sick kid enters into the picture. My heart goes out to you and I hope you can find a more child-friendly employer in the future.

[2jo2]

I am appalled!!!! That is so unfair, esp. in healthcare! They should know that people get sick, and kids need to be taken care of when they're sick. You deserve better than a place like that.

[ChippedAway]

I see both sides of the story. When someone hires someone, they expect them to show up, regardless. You have real reasons, but still. You weren't there to do the work they needed.


It sucks being fired, I've been fired before too. I cried too, it sucks. I also saw their side of the story. I was out sick too much. I had doctors notes, but when I didn't show up, somebody else had to cover. Way it is.

[crystalmom]

So sorry to hear about that! Sometimes life throws you an awful hand doesn't it....just when you think it can't get worse, it does. I'm sure you are a great nurse and you will be able to find work elsewhere. I mean, aren't they just screaming for nurses in the states (just what I heard up here in Canada).


Well, take some time to relax and enjoy the kids then go out and get em!! Good luck! [img]smileys/smilies_04.gif[/img]


Crystal

[kate1966]

That really sucks...and of course your kids always come first.....no matter what....they should have not fired you over that.....i would hope that if their children ever become ill...and they have to stay out with them....they will think of you and how they mistreated you...Good luck on finding a new job...and hope you and your family stay well for a mighty long time....K

[swiftette]

THat's horrible! To heck with them-it's their loss! There are PLENTYof facilities that would be lucky to have you!

[babygap5]

Everything happens for a reason, so, there will be something positive coming out of this, even though it feels awful now. Hang in there. [img]smileys/smilies_02.gif[/img]

[SimplyMe]

That is so wrong! If you missed work because you didn't feel like getting up in the morning or cuz you were hungover every other day then yeah you should be terminated but for taking care of your children when they are sick (things that I'd think make you stand out even more as an excellent nurse) is ridiculous! Businesses need to take into consideration the reason for absences. Having people who call of from laziness is something that won't end, it's a personality issue but for illness, God willing, this will not be a regular occurance. You WILL find soemthing better and work for people who appreciate your concern for your family. Bastards! Sorry. Anyhow, I hope you feel better and am sure you will find another job. As was said before there's a nursing shortage and from what your former employer said you're an excellent nurse, you'll have no problem!

[jesskali]

As a fellow nurse, I'm sorry to hear this, Debbie. From what I remember you were in long term care, right? Sometimes those places can be really hard to work for. I worked for one for about 2 months and that was all I could stand.

Where I work, we earn 8 hours sick per month and you can accumulate as many hours as you want. I think after you use up your sick time, you have to use your short term disability, I'm not sure though. I've worked here 3 years and I have over 100 hours now. I have a lot of doctor appts, so that is what I mainly use my sick time for. People who have been here like 5 and 10 years have hundreds of hours and usually end up retiring early. Oh well, I hope that is me one day!

The good thing about being a nurse is that you can usually find a job pretty easily. My emet prevents me from doing a lot of traditional nursing jobs like hospital or out patient surgery.

Keep us updated!

Jess

[madisonsmom]

I dont know what I want to do. There is a cardiologist hiring. I dont have much experience in that field but did really well in school. I dont know...





I called my old job and asked for the "Big Cheese" to call me (The Director of Clinical Services) I want to get some understanding. I mean its not like Madison had a cold and I just chose to stay home. She had an infectious intestinal infection and was in isolation in the hospital! UGH![img]smileys/smilies_07.gif[/img]

[abw123]

Debbie -





With your level of medical experience, have you ever thought about medical transcription? I have been a transcriptionist for almost two years now and I work out of my home. I really love it, and I get to make my OWN schedule that works around my family. The company I work for is great, and actually understand that most of us work from home because we have children. There are numerous online companies, and you could also try some local companies. Maybe, this would be something you can look into, if you would prefer to be at home that is.


Good luck, Amy

[madisonsmom]

Amy


Just wondering if the pay is like the pay of an RN? Not that money is everything. I do like nursing.[img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[abw123]

Hey -





It really just depends on how much you work, if you contract yourself out, work for a transcription company, etc. I work for a company, therefore I make a little less than I would going out and finding my own work, BUT - I am eligible for benefits, get paid time off, havedirect deposit, and never have to leave my house. For right now, this works for me.


It most definitely is a supplemental income for my household. I work five days a week, about 5-6 hours a day, and I average about 1500.00 a month after taxes. So, it really depends on how much you need to make for your household. Like I said, my salary is definitely a supplement to my husband's income, but it is really wonderful to contribute to the finances AND raise my kids.


I do know of someone who makes about 45,000 a year, but again, a lot of factors play into the salary aspect. Hope this helps. Let me know if you need any other info.


Amy