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by cdsable

Hi,
Just want to get some feedback on losing my job. I worked in a nursing home for over 4 years. A patient asked me could I type, I said yes, he wanted me to type a petition to get another nurse back that had left or resigned her job due to continual harrassment from her supervisor. Her supervisor also is an LPN. The supervisor is black, the other nurse is white. The nurse who left had reported the other nurse several times and received no help about the harrassment. Anyway, I typed the petition off duty what he asked me to type. I gave it to him the next morning and he went around the facility all day and got over 50 signatures from other patients, staff, and family members to try to get this nurse back. The nurse was very good, lots of experience, very caring, and honest. A couple days later another LPN supervisor called me at home and said I needed to come in to a meeting to discuss what went on over the weekend. She said the company wanted it done today. When I got there, four nurses were in the room and asked me what happenned and I told them as I told you above. The DON gave me a termination paper stating I had caused a great disruption in the homelike environment and helped circulate the petition and typed it. I did type it, I did not circulate it or cause a diruption. They are the ones who caused a disruption. They want to keep this nurse, get rid of the older nurses and hire new people for her to boss. I usually get along with everyone and all the patients love me and I love them. This has really hurt me alot. Does anyone know if there is anything that can be done about this kind of treatment? I have reported it to the main office and they are doing an investigation. The Dept of Labor stated it is their company and they can do whatever they want. Now I have no job, no insurance for typing a petition to help someone else. Life doesnt seem fair sometimes. Thanks for any help you can offer.

[pedinurse05]

Re: Terminated for typing a petition

I am really sorry about your job. I however would not have engaged in creating and supporting a petition like this (there are always two sides to every story--simply put I would have minded my own business)....this is unprofessional behavior. I would have simply told the resident that I understood his feeling but it would not be appropriate for me to type a petition regarding fellow co-workers. It is not for you to determine who was right or wrong in this mess. I would have directed his issues or concerns to the charge nurse and supervisory staff. Always remain as professional as possible and most of the time it will pay off. Unfortunately, you crossed that line and did cause some upset at the facility....you paid a pretty big price. Stay away from petty staff fights, especially those that cross between staff and residents...management needs to address these issues--unless of course it is abuse or neglect, then you are a mandated reporter. Again, I am sorry of your outcome but really this was unprofessional behavior on your part. JMHO...
Missy

[Catsmeow]

Re: Terminated for typing a petition

I understand your heart was in the right place, but, oh my. That employee could have been fired for any number of reasons you don't know about... failing a drug test... a mistake she's not owning up to... urgh.

I'd just look for a new job.

Cats

[cdsable]

Re: Terminated for typing a petition

This was a friend of mine also the petition was for. I was supporting the petition and I did pay a high price for it. That is the reason I typed it, I also signed it. The managers treated her terrible. I have empathy for people, I guess that's why I am a nurse. The patient is getting a lawyer for me. That's your opionion, I believe in freedom of speech for me and the patient. Thanks for your input!!

[Marie_LPN, RN]

Re: Terminated for typing a petition

Thing of it is, technically, you got personally involved in the whole situation, even if you just typed the paper. Unless you saw the paperwork for whom this petition was to be for, you really don't know for sure what the reason was for her leaving.

[Marie_LPN, RN]

Re: Terminated for typing a petition

And i really think it's a bad idea for this pt. to be getting you a lawyer. That even more personal involvement.

[sjrn85]

Re: Terminated for typing a petition

If you feel you need an atty., you should get one on your own. In no way should a pt. be paying for you to have an atty.

Oy vey!

[whiskeygirl]

Re: Terminated for typing a petition

I would accept the referral if YOU are paying for the lawyer! It will look bad if the patient pays for the services. That may go without saying but just in case.
It's awful that you lost yout job over this. I mean it's NOT as if you were typing it a work!!!!!
Some states are "fire-at-will" and it won't matter much if your friend was fired due to harrassment or not.
The only thing I would recomend is to get your RN and be the harassing LPN supervisor's boss!
Best of luck to you!

[ZASHAGALKA]

Re: Terminated for typing a petition

If a pt pays for you to have a lawyer, that could be an offense against your state board. Most states do not allow gratuities and it could be interpreted that way. You might not be an employee now, but your relationship w/ that pt stems from a professional relationship.

You made an error in judgement. I wouldn't compound it with a further error. You risk that facility doing more than just terminating you, but threatening your license as well by reporting you to your board.

I can understand sticking your neck out for a friend. But sticking your neck out does indeed involve the risk of getting it chopped off.

It's time to move on.

~faith,
Timothy.

[Catsmeow]

Re: Terminated for typing a petition

Aiyee... best of luck, but my guess is you'll be considered the "author" of the document and it's probly legally "copyrighted" to you. Something else to think about, depending on the contents of the document, if you typed any slanderous comments against the supervisor you could be in a ton of hot water if it goes to court. If you mentioned harrassment, etc, and it's not proven true in court, could be big legal trouble. Getting fired could be the least of your worries in that case.. heh. Definitely consult a lawyer.

Cats