[OBGYN Legal RN]

Okay, I have to ask this question. I currently have 2 cases I'm working on, no problems, seem to be good cases. I am working for the plaintiff attorney in both cases. What I want to know is: Is there anyone out there who has heard of an RN losing their job (as an RN) because they've done Plaintiff work? I have been "warned" by a fellow RN in another state that she knew 2 nurses who started doing LNC work on the side, and both lost their regular jobs when they worked for a high profile attorney on the Plaintiff side. Someone tell me if this is a legitimate worry, I value my career of 15 yrs and plan to continue this career until physically unable. Any advice will help. FYI Neither hospital is one I've worked for, or ever will in the near future, but one is in the "Baptist" health system about 2 hrs away, and I currently work for the "Baptist" health system though not a "sister" hospital. Make sense?? I know that if called to testify their lawyers will do their ground work on me as well, and well, I worry. Can you be blackballed??

[sirI]

Originally Posted by OBGYN Legal RN

Okay, I have to ask this question. I currently have 2 cases I'm working on, no problems, seem to be good cases. I am working for the plaintiff attorney in both cases. What I want to know is: Is there anyone out there who has heard of an RN losing their job (as an RN) because they've done Plaintiff work? I have been "warned" by a fellow RN in another state that she knew 2 nurses who started doing LNC work on the side, and both lost their regular jobs when they worked for a high profile attorney on the Plaintiff side. Someone tell me if this is a legitimate worry, I value my career of 15 yrs and plan to continue this career until physically unable. Any advice will help. FYI Neither hospital is one I've worked for, or ever will in the near future, but one is in the "Baptist" health system about 2 hrs away, and I currently work for the "Baptist" health system though not a "sister" hospital. Make sense?? I know that if called to testify their lawyers will do their ground work on me as well, and well, I worry. Can you be blackballed??

Hello

Yes, I've known nurses (LNCs) who are currently employed with hospitals losing their jobs. In one of the hospitals in my area, the LNCs are required to sign a clause that they will not work in any LNC capacity while employed with the hospital.

So, I suppose if you are doing this and they have similar written or "unwritten" clauses, you might have a concern.

Also, if you do any LNC consulting work or testify against your employer as an LNC expert witness you will not have a job for this is unethical. Consulting/testifying against your employer would be a conflict of interest. So, if you work in the "system", this is a conflict of interest.

If you ever have doubt in your mind working as a consultant or expert witness and have a question of conflict of interest, you need to pass the case(s) off to another consultant.

[RN1989]

These days, I can see that happening more and more often. You can be blackballed for anything (see Group 1 threads on TX forum). I'm sure that doing work with a plaintiff atty is enough to scare the risk manager of a facility to death. They know that you know their secrets and even if you had no intention of working a case that you have a conflict of interest in - there is no way that they can know this or be guaranteed that you wouldn't hurt them later on. Best not to tell anyone about your LNC work if you still want to work in the hospital.

Kinda like being a politically vocal nurse. I know that my participation in things that are politically incorrect where employers are concerned but are legitimate causes for patient/nurse safety are apt to get me blackballed somewhere - and they already have. But that is a risk I have been willing to take because I believe in those causes. If you believe enough in being an LNC and still want to do both types of work then you know going in that you are flying by the seat of your pants when it comes to job security. Keep your eyes and your options open. If the risk is too great for you then stop now before you get into trouble, otherwise - keep on trucking along!

[sirI]

I agree with you, RN1989.

But, again, one must be certain they do not have a conflict of interest before taking on a case. It sounds (although it may not be the case) that the OP has a question in this area......

[OBGYN Legal RN]

Thanks all, I love what I am doing but never really thought that I could be considered a threat to my current hospital until a friend told me. Others tell me not to worry because it would be a case of unlawful termination, but you all know as well as I do that they don't need a reason. The county in question is not one of our system hospitals but is a Baptist hospital none the less and about 5 counties over. I am torn, and already logged many hours into the case, but feel the attorneys on the other side could use this to "strong arm" me. UGGHH! I hate this feeling.

[sirI]

If this hospital is not in your system; totally seperate, then there is no problem with conflict of interest.

If it is within the system and you are employed at any one of the hospitals within that system; working on a case that involves any healthcare workers of said system, then you have a conflict of interest and ethically, should withdraw from the case.

I wish you luck with your decisions and hope all resolves appropriately.