The right thing

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I have a friend at work who will be fired, she has alot of reports, not all incident reports, against her, unless another nurse can back up her claims that the Hospital, some of the staff, are out to get her, there a double standard, which is true, she is being picked on, it's also true that she has made mistakes but mistakes are supposed to be in a plan of correction and if she couldn't correct them then they should let her go.... anyway she wants me to testify to the union that she is being singled out, at first I said I would, if the union would keep my name anonymous but then I started to question if the union would really keep my name out of it, there could be a leak, I fear if I'm found I could be made to suffer by the hospital. What would you do? Thanks

Triddin

380 Posts

If she is continually making the same mistake, then the firing may be justified. It's hard being put under that microscope. Ultimately, only you can make the decision if you will testify. It could wind up with a target on you, although you will also have the union to protect you. Also remember that you are only getting one side of the story from your friend. It is possible there are further charges/ evidence you are unaware of

garciadiego

216 Posts

Yes I would have the union but if they are pissed cause I helped her, my name could be leaked, they can retaliate in a way the union can't help, giving me difficult assignments, shifts I don't want. Her incidents reports are for med errors, I don't know if she's made them before. Yes there is another side of the story, I don't know the other side.... I do know there is a double standard, others make the same boo-boos with know consequences. I feel for her, I've been where she is but I don't want to be eaten by the hospital wood chipper. What should I tell? "Sorry, changed my mind, can't help you, get a Lawyer?"

Guest219794

2,453 Posts

Only you can decide which is more important.

On the one hand, you have your belief she is being unjustly treated.

On the other hand, you have concerns that standing up will cause you harm.

Nobody here knows which is more important to you.

Sour Lemon

5,016 Posts

Yes I would have the union but if they are pissed cause I helped her, my name could be leaked, they can retaliate in a way the union can't help, giving me difficult assignments, shifts I don't want. Her incidents reports are for med errors, I don't know if she's made them before. Yes there is another side of the story, I don't know the other side.... I do know there is a double standard, others make the same boo-boos with know consequences. I feel for her, I've been where she is but I don't want to be eaten by the hospital wood chipper. What should I tell? "Sorry, changed my mind, can't help you, get a Lawyer?"

What, exactly, would they expect you to testify about? You can make observations about her good qualities as a coworker, but it's not as if you know whether or not she's being singled out. You're not in charge of auditing or disciplining the other nurses, I assume?

I'd just talk about what I personally knew in the most positive way possible. Definitely don't launch into any conspiracy theories. It might hurt you and it is very unlikely to help her.

garciadiego

216 Posts

Your right, I have no wish to crucify myself, thanks

garciadiego

216 Posts

Your right, all you have given me good advice, I'm staying out of it.

Your right, all you have given me good advice, I'm staying out of it.

Best thing for you. Your heart was in the right place but unless you have another job lined up, the risk of retaliation is too great IMO.

Possible scenarios here

The least likely one: She will keep her job while you testified and everyone is fine in the end

2nd case: You support her and speak to the union but she gets fired still, and now you have issues in the work place

3rd case: You support her and she doesnt get fired and now the unit has major issues with you too

4th case: You support her, she stays but tensions are still high and she resigns.

Explain this to her, your job is important to you. What would she do if she were in your shoes and you had made some mistakes? Not everyone loves their job but a source of income is important and other factors need to be considered.

If i were you, I'd tell her the best thing for her to do is resign. Because even if she doesnt get fired, it seems like the unit has become a very toxic place for her. She will probably end up leaving or should. You dont need to get yourself into the same situation and have the place be toxic for you too.

garciadiego

216 Posts

You are a most analytical Future-, thanks for presenting all reasonable possibilities....mty path is clear, I know what I must do.

Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

Ethically, I think you are obliged to report what you know to be true in defense of your friend at any meeting.

You should not speculate.

Just report your observations.

Crush

462 Posts

Specializes in Case manager, float pool, and more.

The less you say, the better (if you decided to testify or are asked anything). And I would only stick to facts, period. I think though, if this was my friend, I might be advising then to find another job and resign before they are terminated. Why fight for a job where you are under the microscope and there is a toxic environment for you? Of course, if it is a small town and jobs are scarce, that is another thing.

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