Need help please...

I have been given a verbal warning at work for high stress levels at work and for "venting". OK I agree with that and have been making strides to correct my behavior. I have been going to counseling, etc.
At my monthly review for the verbal warning I was told I was improving with the stress and the "venting" but there was now a complaint of delay in patient care. My boss did not write me up for this but HR had her give me a written warning which I refused to sign. First of all no one got my side of the story before the "write up" was implemented. In my opinion there was no delay in patient care and I did everything in my power to take care of the patient. I do not want to get into specifics here because I am not sure who comes on this site to read entries. but I really need to look for another job. How can I do this with this write up on my record?
I feel like i am under the microscope and they are creating a paper trail that leads to the door.

Thanks for all who reply.
Quote from sistasoul I do not want to get into specifics here because I am not sure who comes on this site to read entries. but I really need to look for another job. How can I do this with this write up on my record?

"Former Employers can only give Dates of Employment and Job Duties to Potential Employers. "Simply untrue. I wish that people would quit saying this.

Honey, I hope your are looking because they are going to fire your butt as soon as they can, and deny you unemployment.BTDT.

Davey Do is correct but it doesn't mean some employers don't try otherwise. There are specific laws that prevent employers from giving out information about write ups or giving too detailed information but you would have to find out about it. If it was me, I would find another job & resign. I wouldn't worry too much if you got fired (it happens) but I would rather take matters into my own hands & then put a big smile on my face knowing I had the upper hand, right when giving them my 2 week resignation letter.

Quote from roser13"Former Employers can only give Dates of Employment and Job Duties to Potential Employers." Simply untrue. I wish that people would quit saying this.

Quote from roser13"Former Employers can only give Dates of Employment and Job Duties to Potential Employers. "Simply untrue. I wish that people would quit saying this.

It does sound as though it would be in your best interests to find another job sooner rather than later.

It also matters little what employees can legally do.Healthcare has big giant grape vine that travels for great distances. And other people WILL be aware of allegations, true or untrue.As a nurse, one has to be very careful of where you work and what gets said about you, and especially what is in writing, because it will get around via "informal" channels.Proving inappropriate info release is extremely difficult in these cases. And even if one wins, chances of finding a job with anyone is highly unlikely d/t the PR. Recall the nurses in TX that got jailed for rightly blowing the whistle on an MD. They won the lawsuit but cannot easily find a decent job, and the settlement is not enough to compensate. Also search "GroupOne" for other stories.Add in the number of health care facilities under increased pressure to release more data if they have had issues with a staffer. Given the increased media discussion of "serial killer" HCWers, and repeated medical issues, expect more monitoring of why someone leaves a job.

Thanks for all the replies.I have been working since I was 11 years old and have never had to deal with this sort of thing before. Was always a good employee and was rehired at a couple of jobs I had left. I even received employee of the year twice. Hospital nursing is just not for me. I love the patient care but the rest of it is crazy. How can I put this job as a reference when I know HR is going to give me a bad reference as it was thier idea to have my boss write me up for the second "infraction". I am not too sure my nurse manager would give me a good reference either. I can use a couple of the nurses I work with as references but not any of the assistant unit managers. Plus, I really don't want them to know I am looking for a job.I am just infuriated that this "infraction" was a she said against she said. I am still not sure what the exact cause of the write up was because it was vague and when I asked my nurse manager what I could have done differently she said "I think you tried really hard and this is a tough one". I am a very conscientious nurse and am very insulted in what the write up implies about me as a nurse and as a person. My healthcare experience consists of a perdiem nurse's aide from 2006-2008, LTC for 5 months in 2008 and this job. I don't have an extensive health care background to fall back on.How did others go about getting another job with a write up and bad referernces at their curent job? I probably will not be looking at another hospital job. LTC or Skilled Nursing facility are thoughts. Not sure right now but I need to start getting my ducks in a row.Thank you all!!

Quote from sistasoulHow can I put this job as a reference when I know HR is going to give me a bad reference as it was thier idea to have my boss write me up for the second "infraction".

Quote from TheCommuterYou can include this job on future employment applications. There will be a question on employment applications that reads, "May we contact this employer?" You simply mark or indicate, "No."

If you find a job WHILE YOU STILL HAVE ONE you can always check not to contact your present employer because they don't know you are looking.Get another job NOW. You have enough experience to. Get gone. Just try to avoid the fire as you exit the frying pan.