[ingelein]

Whistle, I wrote you a PM.My case is dragging on also, its been 3 years since my termination for refusing to falsify a legal document.My case is being litigated under the WI Healthcare Worker Retaliation Protection Act.My lawyers have not asked for a dime and they get paid when I win my case, by the EMPLOYER.If I lose they dont get paid and we appeal further.

The law provides for backpay with interest, as I said before , lawyers fees and possibly up to two years of front pay.This is a good law as far as state laws go. A federal law would be better as it gets heard with a jury in federal court and allows for punitive damages, much more monies, which seems is the only thing these nursing home corporations truly care about.

It's a tough road to go down when one decides to follow their ethical leanings. Few will thank you, some will tell you you were wrong to not lie and shouldv'e taken the easy road and not bucked the system.You risk being blackballed from ever working as a nurse again, there are many consequences of blowing the whistle.

If not protected by a union, you are a sitting duck, don't fool yourself and think you can take care of yourself in the workplace, because that notion would depend on an ethical and moral employer, sadly few and far between.

I have been very fortunate to have supportive family these past three years and lawyers who are very dedicated.I have had much physical issues after this D/T stress, BUT I would not change a thing, I would do it again .My self respect remains intact.

[RN Power Ohio]

I think we should start a chronicle of incidents where nurses are retaliated against for speaking up, acting in best interest of patients, organizing, etc.

This way we can use these accounts to take to our legislators, administrators, newspapers and anyone else who will hear us to help support our cases.

If they are all in one place, factually and thoughtfully written then it will be a great tool for us.

[whistle1429]

I think we should start a chronicle of incidents where nurses are retaliated against for speaking up, acting in best interest of patients, organizing, etc.

This way we can use these accounts to take to our legislators, administrators, newspapers and anyone else who will hear us to help support our cases.

If they are all in one place, factually and thoughtfully written then it will be a great tool for us.

Yeah, I would agree with you RN Power Ohio- although posts with ID's or specifics can't be posted here (as I've learned through trial/error =) )- people would have to be willing to send info via PMing.

I have often thought about having a group of however many people call the same number of a well established media figure once a day, for a 30 day period, asking for them to run a story about retaliation in the medical field, or what really happens behind closed doors once someone blows a whistle. If a habit is created in 30 days... wouldn't "the media" finally listen to us after being contacted/messages left by numerous nurses, etc after 30 days?
I sent my "story", and copies of my suit, letters, etc on CD to several politicians, and well recognized figures in the media- but went unheard. One RN is not even a squeek in the wheel... it would have to be SEVERAL, MANY, NUMEROUS different people to make a squeek, and many more to make it loud enough to create such a noise that "they" can't help but listen, and elicit change!
That's honestly what I think it will take for laws across ALL states to make unified changes, in order to protect those who stand up for safety/lives.
I don't think it's "fair" for different states to offer different levels of protection. The government employees have MAJOR protection, and even have a place to call that handles retalitatory complaint specifically... why is that? We are saving LIVES, yet where's our Federal number to call?

[LGRN]

I think the underlying question is: "What is a nurse?" At the end of the day, the basics are: "The nurse is the patient's advocate."

HOWEVER -My dilemma: When the needs and advocacy for my patients is in (increasingly) direct conflict with the source of my paycheck - what are we supposed to do?

I think that is the core issue affecting ALL nurses right now. The original author of this thread gave a prime example and an increasingly familiar example of this dilemma.

[BrokenRNheart]

There is an ogranization called LEAP that is fighting whistleblowing in the medical field. It is presently organized by doc's and lawyers with money.

It's a start.

There is a link here:

http://thevalueofhumanlife.blogspot.com/

[LGRN]

These are all fantastic ideas (from colleagues posting above this post)! I will check out LEAP, and perhaps we can also organize into a clearinghouse for incidents where the press can use them. I also have some contacts in media relations that can assist us in getting the right attention. OMG! We may be able to make a difference! I'm psyched!

[forrester]

Originally Posted by RN Power Ohio

I think we should start a chronicle of incidents where nurses are retaliated against for speaking up, acting in best interest of patients, organizing, etc.

This way we can use these accounts to take to our legislators, administrators, newspapers and anyone else who will hear us to help support our cases.

If they are all in one place, factually and thoughtfully written then it will be a great tool for us.

I'll go first.
"Quit or be fired" that day my article came out in a major nursing journal.

"Released without cause" 2 weeks after going on NPR radio to discuss restructuring of the healthcare system.

Called into the "principals" office (DIrector and HR) to explain the audacity of throwing a graduation party (mine) for all the ICU nurses.

No, Im not paranoid.....yet