[spaniel]

I work as a consultant to nursing homes, and have been licensed,oh, for about 30 years. I am seeing a horrific trend in which DONs are physically escorted out of the building. A typical scenario is this-staffing is cut, the DON (understandably) gets a bit heated about serious cuts-and is escorted out of the building! Mind you-this seems to be the latest "strategy" for admins/CEOs. I am astounded that nursing has gotten to this point. Certainly I can understand anyone being "escorted" if they lose physical control, but that is not what I'm referring to... Does anyone have an idea what help the ANA (or any legitimate professional entity) could do to discourage this type of draconian management style?
I know of several nursing homes that continue to have "acting" DONs as no one in their right mind would risk their reputation at these"said" homes. Can you imagine the humiliation of it all-While this has never happened to me, it is giving me serious thought about changing my career out of the long term care setting.

[Ninaer]

Although I don't know the rationale for being escorted out, I've seen this in some of the hospitals i have worked at.

[Angie O'Plasty, RN]

I believe our policy is to take the badge and have Security escort any employee who has been fired out of the building.

Nowadays, I believe you simply cannot be too careful. Yes, it's embarrassing, but better that than physically attacked, as some people have been who have had to fire employees.

[Katnip]

I've seen this done routinely in other industries. It's seems to be a standard precaution.

[Sabby_NC]

I have seen/ heard of this more since living here.
Our CFO was escorted off as well as our Office Manager!! Hmmmmm

[nurseinlimbo]

So are you saying that this is something that you've noticed in for profit LTC or just nursing in general?
I honestly don't know how these nurses can work as DOC's in facilities where the only thing that really matters is the budget and profit margins. I would not be able to go against my ethics and treat staff and patients the way these facilities do.
NA's and nurses burn themselves out being constantly short staffed, get injured and are not covered by their employers and when they fight for their rights, are called liars. I couldn't do it.
If managers are being escorted out because they stand up for their staff, I think that is pretty sad...

[RN1989]

This is norm in the business world to prevent loss to the company. I have seen this become more prevalent in nursing as well but is usually reserved for admin/management - people who would have access to files/computer, etc who could try to delete info, set up a virus, you name it.

I experienced this myself when I resigned from a LTC position. They sent a nurse from the corporate office 3 hours after I handed in my resignation. She had a final paycheck and I was told to clear out my office immediately. She told me (off the record) that the owners were concerned that their state survey was imminent and now that I already had another job, I had nothing to lose by telling the dirty little secrets that the owners were hiding.

As healthcare gets worse and more nurses have ethical issues regarding the running of a facility of any kind, I believe we will see more and more people being escorted from the building.

[oramar]

In the 90s when downsizing nursing staff was all the rage, I actually witnessed bedside staff being escorted off the floor with no notice. They barely had time to get their coats and hats. I am talking about charge nurses, staff nurses, staff LPNS and aids. It was so quick, it happened during a med pass and I remember the pill cup still spinning around on the cart top while the nurse was already in the street. Since that time I have been accused of having a bad attitude many times. Gee, I wonder why.

[llg]

As others have said, it is standard practice in the business world and becoming more common in health care to escort anyone fired or layed off out of the building. This prevents them from taking any revenge as they leave -- which might be physical or might involve taking materials and/or information with them. Personal items (such as photos, etc.) can be either sent to the former employee or he/she can come in later (with security supervision) to collect them.

For that reason, it's a good idea to have copies of anything you might need (i.e. copies of your evals, etc.) at home, particularly if your job situation is shakey.

[bollweevil]

I guess it's pretty standard procedure. Really scary what has happened in our country with ethics, isn't it? I guess it's in every country, though, wherever people put money before God and people.