[brian]

Looks like Exempla Healthcare is making an exemplum out of nurse Barb Hostrup, who was prominently featured in this column Jan. 13 and fired last week.

Hostrup, 58, was one of 10 nurses who went to the legislature in January, stumping for health-care reforms. One bill she supported would have provided whistle- blower protection to nurses who point out problems at health-care institutions.

Last Friday, Exempla blew Hostrup's whistle, firing her from Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, where she had worked since July 2004. Exempla vice president Kay Taylor would not discuss why Hostrup was fired, saying the company does not comment on personnel matters. Generally, however, Exempla welcomes nurses to air their views to accreditation boards and internal forums, Taylor said.

"We probably have many employees who speak out on many issues," she said. "Their performance is separate of their personal views."
Hostrup, who has worked as a nurse for 19 years, told me she was never disciplined or hit with a bad performance review until she went to the statehouse.

Full Story: Nurse shown door after speaking up [Denver Post,CO]

[Marie_LPN, RN]

Sounds like my job. Hey we can announce that you're not longer working here, yet it's a big ol' secret as to why.

[rnpatrick]

This happens all the time. Thats why I advocated a legal defense fund so such nurses can pay for an attorney to pursue wrongful termination lawsuit.It seems to have gone over the heads of forum members.

[earle58]

yes it does happen all the time.
i was terminated after working at the same facility x 7 yrs.
i voiced concerns to a health agcy; the facility was severely penalized.
and i lost my job.
doing the 'right' thing never felt so wrong.

leslie

[Joan1199]

Barbara has always received very good evaluations. She has been assigned as a preceptor for new nurses. Her reputation is evidence of her nursing skills and her compassion. A nurse being fired for being patients advocate shows the health care system has deteriorated tremendously! Money is the bottom line, not standards of care! Nurses, remember, if it happens to one it can happen to anyone. Nurses need to supporrt one another. We should not let a situation like this happen. This is taking away your First Amendment Right. Free Speech! The right to speak to your legislators. The right to be a good citizen as well as patients advocate. Speak up. Let Exempla know how you feel!

[peacheskan]

Hi Brian-- I too have been disciplined for speaking up and being a patient advocate. I don't suppose you know how to get in touch with Barb? I would love to talk with her. If anyone knows-- please feel free to forward my information to her. I also posted my story under the general discussion.
Hold your head high when you know you take the patient under your wing.

[CHATSDALE]

many states have 'at will' employment..you may quit at any time they can fire you w/o reason of course you know if a nurse comes to work when scheduled and has had no write-ups there has got to be a REASON if there is no reason
keeps other nurses with their mouth zipped and the fired nurse has a blot on her resume

[jbrevia]

I literally ended up as a RN in the doghouse(city dog pound) while working as a PHN for a city, with possibly my life on the line, all because I was fighting for rights for others and myself. The politics are for real and unless RN understand how they work we will never make any real progress. The problem is we are carers not politicians so we don't know how to fight on their level even though we have the numbers. I speak as someone that had to leave nursing due to disability, but I still care about what happens to those on the battleground since I was out there also and still paying a price. I would love to be part of the solution, rather than the problem.

[pickledpepperRN]

You can thank her publicly here!

Thank a nurse for speaking out
http://www.denverpostbloghouse.com/l...-out/#more-131

[soliant12]

This is a prime example of how doing the right thing doesn't always turn out like we would like. People have this misconception that always doing the right thing will either bring rewards(in a general sense) or make evrything okay and far too often that is not the case. My best advice for nurses is you either put up with the working environment or you leave cause 99% of the time it ain't gonna change, and in the end you will just be frustrated and upset with the likely end results