[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

[musiclover44]

hello,
If your state is a hire/fire at will, then you probably don't have much action, see if they will allow you to transfer is that a possiblity? Talk to a lawyer. I have been thur something similiar, the new nurse manager just didn't like me, she micro managed and well I didn't do well with that kind of managing. When I went through our grievance it was a joke I was told that there was nothing I could do and that sometimes they just want to get rid of someone, I was offered a transfer, so I went to our sister hospital which i had previously worked at, it was the best thing I ever did. I hope everthing works out, this can be really hard.

Royalty Free Music|Stock Music|music cues

[advocateforsafety]

Is their resolution process in writing and do you have a copy. Hospitals love policies even if they fail to follow them. You should in my opinion get a copy of that policy and then demand that they abide by it. I would bet there are time limits in place in the policy as to how long they have to hold the review and how the process takes place. Make sure all your communications is in writing and always send certified with a return signature card as managment and HR is full of liars and they will not hesitate to say you never ask for such a review.

If it does nothing it will at very least show that you attempted to resolve your issue according to their policy and they failed to abide by it. In my opinion this makes your original case stronger.

Good Luck. I am in the middle of a similar situation but cannot comment on the specifics at this time.

[trvlngrn22]

In a similar situation, I went to our manager regarding an incompetent employee. He wanted proof, so I gave him copies of errors (yes the nurse had actually charted many of her mistakes.)
Continued protests on my part led to disciplinary action on my part...I started getting cited on reviews as unable to get along with coworkers, too strong a personality, etc. So I quit complaining. Until, she screamed at me one more time, when she was trying to cover yet another mistake. I went to an outside neutral party after this, the Employee Assistance program. Best advice, don't engage, dont' complain, just file impartial incident reports (just the facts, no commentary).
Should have done that from the beginning. Bottom line though, I quit (before they found a documentation error on my part). I know this doesn't help you now. But keep in mind, without documenting her incompetence, it comes down to what documention they do have...sadly, it is against you.
It is wrong, believe me I know!!! But I don't think there is anything you can do. Except change how you handle problems in the future. Good luck to you!