I haven't been on here a Loooong time. But, its b/c my life got real hectic after July 2010.

Anyhoo, I was working at a hospital where I accepted a float position for the last 3 years. Last March, the ENDO charge nurse approached me while I was working ICU,and asked if I'd be interested in training. I jumped at the chance.ICU had been a hellhole,and I was typically taking 3 pts at a time.

So, I train down in ENDO and I seem to do really well. The majority of the techs and nurses seemed to like me.I was really happy for awhile. Then, around May, I asked the Unit Manager if she possibly had any flost openings in ENDO or PACU. She was over both depts. She inforemd me that she was in the process of creating a position,and would let me know whan that opened. I was ecstatic. My manager over the float pool ok'd my transfer,and seemed happy to see I was going to be a big help in that area. I e-mailed the manager,and informed her that I applied for the positon,and had been ok'd for transfer.

suddenly,the next time I see this manager,she informs me that just b/c I applied for the position did not guarantee that I'd gey the position. I was stunned.I had always been available to work whwnever they called,i bent over backwards to help out,and the pts seemed to really enjoy and appreciate my care.Well, sure enough,another nures with 2 yrs of experience,and no training in ENDO got the slot,not me.

I was heartbroken,but was told by several of my co-workers that she was a staff nurse,and I a float,she got first consideration.

I then had a very close co-worker and friend alert me to an opening in PACU for a float nurse. I applied and was given a slot.

I had helped inPACU before,and figured it would be just a fun to work in.I got along with the majority of the staff,and some of the CRNA's and Docs switched from PACU and ENDO regularly,so i was comfortable.

Then, a younger nurse with a lower degree (ADN) was promoted to a positon where she was basically right under my manager. She had been a charge nurse in PACU,and could be quite abrupt and at times bullying with the staff. Everyone mistakenly thought that if she were promoted,we would not see or have to deal with her as much. So,we all stepped back,and refrained from competeing against her for the job.

Well, no such luck! She began to single me out(guess cause I was new kid) and humilate and degrade me in front of co-workers and Pts.

I attempted to tell her I didn't like her treating me that way,but it fell on deaf ears. i finally got enough and went to HR to vent.I initially asked that the situation not be pursued,b/c I feared retaliation. HR reassured me that if I even suspected that, I should let them know.

I stupidly got a false sense of security. Less tha a week after I saw HR(with no feedback or communication from HR) I was called into my managers office and written up on bogus crrap.They wrote me up once for 2 bogus incidents. One was an MD order I mistakenly took out of the computer,but discovered nad reinstated quickly,the other was a pt I transferred to ICU post corotid endarderectomy that the ICU nurse failed to do a neuro check on.They claime it was poor continuity of care on my part even though I had the pt from 11a-5:30p nad did all 3 neuro checks when she was with me.

I went to HR and informed them I was being retaliated against,and they suggested a meeting with the unit director. i did so,and was shocked to see that the UD was hostile to me,and tried to brans me a troublemaker.He defended his charge nurses and acted as if I were crazy. His defense was that maybe I was being singled out b/c I made errors. He even went on to say that no-one else had ever had this complaint.I informed him that a co-worker that I once ventilated to advised that she had been picked on by this nurse too,but she learned to keep her mouth shut,her head down,and to do her job. this nurse went on to tell me that administration liked this nurse,and if I went against her i would never win.My UD said he would look into this.I went home discouraged,and started to look for other jobs.

I went back to work though,and suddenly my UD is making a point of saying "hello" to me in the hall,and being very nice. I was shocked,and thought,maybe my co-worker backed me up,and he was starting to see my side.

The unit died down for about a month after all this,and I was kinda glad for the break. When I started picking up hours again though, this same charge nurse started messing with me again. One day i worked ans she accused me of "badmouthing" a co-worker to a pt. I knew I had not done so,so,all I could do was defend myself. She then began to interruot me while on the phone with a doctors nurse,and tried to act as if what I was saying to the MDs nurse would displease the MD.

The next day, I came to work,and was told they didn't need me past 12 noon.That same charge nurse asked me to stay later,and then informed me that the UD wanted to see me. When I got to the UD he basically informed me that I was being investigated for conduct and competency issues,but he could not give me any further infromation. He just thought I'd like to know. I went back to work with this distubing news. I planted a smile on my face,and tried to act as if I was not upset.

I crumbled in tears when I got to the parking lot. I was my husbands and I's wedding anniversary,and this was like a bad dream.My husband unfortunately got the brunt of my frustration,and we got in a fight. I decided the only recourse I had was to report these jerks to the corporate ethical hotline.I did so,and was told I had 10 business days before I could check on anything. I literally went to work expecting the hammer to drop any day for them.

Finally,2 weeks later, I was summoned to Risk management. As par usual,I was in the dark about what this could be about. When I got there,I was essetially informed by RM that I may have possibly caused a complication on a pt that had vag packing on the same day that the bully was messing with me. The lady had Vag packing that I was told had to come out befroe she went home. I saw packing in the commode,but just to be on the safe side,with the pts permission,I did a digital exam,and did not feel any further packing, This was the pt that the bully nurse was butting into my conversation about 2 weeks prior. I found it highly suspicious that i was being balmed for what was essentially something that any other prudent nurse would have done.How would anyone know the packing was out if you didn't check. there were no MD orders saying otherwise. This all smacked of a set-up,and sure enough,a week after canceling me,I was fired. I was told "Quality issues" when I asked why I was being terminated.

i feel so betrayed by HR. My co-workers have called me in shock that I was fired. I never call in,I'm never late,and I do anything anyone asks of me no matter what the request. I'm very negged out on nursing and feel like david against Goliath. I feel powerless,and angry.Whay is this profession so cut-throat and political? The sad part is,i was a strong nurse who could move the pts quickly when we were busy,and now,the pts and m co-workers will suffer.

Hiya, I am so sorry to hear this story..Unfortunately, this does happen and t reminds me of horizontal violence. the only thing I think you can do is to hire an attorney and hit them in the wallet.. I would think that you are definately due for unemployment. the problem is, thaqt you will have to prove this to any angency.. Also, you have to think about your future employments.. This may tarnish your chances on obtaining another position..So at the very least, this needs to come off your record.. I am not at all an attorney, so I only can tell you this is what I would do.. I would start again at coorporate, and then seek out an attorney.. Don't worry if the first or second one don't want the case.. Keep looking and you will find someone.. Best of luck to you.. God bless you in all of your future endeavors.. Please keep us posted... Hugs, Teresa

As a moderator on this site, I must remind you that, when you signed up you knew there was no advertising allowed.. Please cease these activities, or further action will be taken... Teresa

2ndtakerimmigrant, thank you for your encourament and posting on the internet....Teresa

chicagonurse,  I agree with you that we still have to put up with it and whistle blowers are penalized....In a perfect world, we would worry more about the patients, but unfortunately we do not live in a perfect world.. Thank you for following and posting on the forum.. Teresa

chicagonurse.. wouldn't that be the a great thing to happen for all of us. Unortunately we are all competitive in our careers to reach the pentacle.. It isn't right but it is as it is.. Teresa