I got people fired where I work, and now hate my job

coffee4metech · May 12, 2009

Well I hate to say this but your co-workers will no longer respect you ,find another job and start on a new slate. And just for a piece of mind do it for yourself and try to stay out of gossip and issues that do not involve you to save yourself from drama and stress.

GOOD LUCK to YOU !!!!

caliotter3 · May 12, 2009

If there are only two places in town to work at, chances are high that the fired people are working at the other place. Even if this is not the case, you are pretty much stuck with the consequences of what happened. Never bring it up. Don't admit that you were the person who "told" if the subject comes up. You have to work and live there too. Unless you are going to move out of town, there is not much you can do about this unfortunate situation. Remember, you did not tell the others to get involved in this and you are not the one who should be under the microscope. And yes, watch your back and watch your mouth.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · May 12, 2009

I ran into a situation in December that involved abuse (emotional) against an elderly resident, involving 2 nurses and 4 cna's, I was not presnt whaen the abuse happened, but was told about it by a nurse and cna, I decided that I would tell my DON. Partly to help the poor lady that was being abused and partly to save my job, I knew if they found out that I knew I would loose my job. Consquently they all got fired, and word got out "somehow" that I told on them, I live in a small town, there are only 2 nursing homes in my town, not many places to work, I'm sure that the whole town knows it was me. I know that I did the right thing, but am having some major guilt because the two nurses involved were good nurses and my friends. I have not spoken with the DON, ADON or Administrator since everything happened (5 months ago) I work third shift and rarely see them, but when I have seen them, I feel as though they are ignoring me, or are ashamed of me somehow, and I am really not enjoying my job at all right now, I actually have heard rumors to "watch my back, and watch what I say to anyone" and third shift has gotten in "trouble" and been "nit picked" upon since this happened. I am a good nurse and do my job very well, although I am worried that there is a "WITCH HUNT" and I am the next target, believe me this type of thing happens all the time in my facility, everyone knows who is gonna be fired before they are fired. so, I guess I'm wondering if this has happened to anyone else, or am I just being paranoid?? Please help.

The biggest mistake you made is that you reported something that you heard and didn't know of for a fact....even rumor mills cost people their jobs.

You also didn't do it to protect the patient...you did it to save your own job...so my question to you is: Why was your job at risk to start with?

I would never, ever go to a boss unless it was something I witnessed personally, because you never know what kind of toxic poison someone else is spilling out of their lips.

I don't know how old you are, but I would wager you are pretty young.

The only reason that I am saying that is that you seem to think that people at your job are out to get you...you are going on rumor...did you consider that they know your feathers ruffle easy and are trying to get you going?

You seem to "think" that people are ignoring you, etc.

If you want to keep your job, my advice is to keep a low profile, don't participate in ANY gossip, and focus on your job.

I have a hunch it's not as blown up as you think it is.

shannieliz · May 12, 2009

I put nin my post that I partly did it to protect the pt, and to protect my job, when it comes to abuse you are obligated by law to report it, suspected or real. I could have lost my job and my license by not reporting, it would be the same as if I abused the resident myself.

Straydandelion · May 12, 2009

I was not presnt whaen the abuse happened, but was told about it by a nurse and cna

You did the right thing as a patient advocate and a "good" nurse will know this, I also don't think those would have been fired for just your information if not confirmed from other sources. I would make an effort to talk to someone higher up, someone you trust about this issue of someone stating to "watch your back" but since the "nitpicking" could POSSIBLY be paranoia (and I am sure it is difficult in that situation to separate out "normal" problems from your issue) I would sluff it off right now to imagination. This will eventually die out and be forgotten though I am sure others have gotten misinformation from those that were fired. Possibly someone higher up can give you some advice/information to help. I would simply continue to be professional and a patient advocate. Of course it never hurts to look for a better job/position but IMO you shouldn't feel like you had to.

texastaz · May 12, 2009

I ran into a situation in December that involved abuse (emotional) against an elderly resident, involving 2 nurses and 4 cna's, I was not presnt whaen the abuse happened, but was told about it by a nurse and cna, I decided that I would tell my DON. Partly to help the poor lady that was being abused and partly to save my job, I knew if they found out that I knew I would loose my job. Consquently they all got fired, and word got out "somehow" that I told on them,

You did what you thought was right and it is a legal issue. Your DON also did what they thought was right, and I doubt based on your word-and your word only anyone got fired. The issue is larger than just about you. However if you think that this is the ethics of the company - I would also be watching my back, and start taking notes and be looking for employment elsewhere.

changeofpaceRN · May 12, 2009

I call the toll free abuse hotline if I feel there is possible abuse going on- THEY will look into it if they feel there is enough cause while I stay out of it. I know the supervisors say "come to us first and let us remedy the situation". Yeah, ALL the management I have worked with have all been buddy buddy with each other and there is nothing confidential it SEEMS. A story happened like this where I witnessed the abuse, I wrote up my statement to the DON and ADON per policy protocol and it was dusted under the carpet because this nurse was such a good nurse taking on extra shifts when they were short staffed. After that, I quit.

shannieliz · May 12, 2009

Thank you very much, your advice made me feel better, I am not looking for a new job at this time, and hopefully will not feel that I have to, and I do believe that some of the things I am feeling are just paranoia, I am happy that I saved this and other residents from these employees abuse, I am not perfect, but did not go to nursing school for the "HUGE" amounts of money that I make (haha) Thank you again!!:redbeathe

WickedRedRN, BSN, RN · May 12, 2009

I have to say you did the right thing by reporting this. I have worked in LTC in both staff nurse and management roles. Any time there is any suspicion or claim of abuse, there must be an investigation. The outcome of that investigation was not your responsibility. When your DON completed her part of the investigation, she made the determination how to handle the employees involved. There will always be speculation and gossip on the units as to what happened. Hold you head high, and refuse to discuss the situation with anyone. It is no one elses business what you did or said to your DON.

3boysmom3 · May 12, 2009

Isn't it funny how when people do bad things at work, they make others feel guilty. I agree that it's unlikely these staff members were fired on your word alone. An investigation had to take place, and I'm sure the DON interviewed others after you reported the situation. The crazy thing is that the person doing the wrong wasn't losing any sleep or having any attacks of conscience at all, right?

I would probably have gone the anonymous hotline route, and/or pressed whoever told me the information (assuming they were direct witnesses) to report it themselves. It's always best to be done by an actual witness. But no matter what, when the rubber hits the road, you did what you felt like you had to do to protect the patient, and it took some guts. Yes, now you have to live with the consequences. But if you feel like you did the right thing, then just wait and let time heal. Some other drama will come along and turn the focus away from you, if it's even on you in the first place. (it's probably not, as much as you think it is).

I wouldn't talk to the DON, your coworkers, or anyone else at work about it. I'd just wait for it to be far in the past where it belongs. If anything like that ever happens again, take a look at other options, such as hotline. And what about the person who told it to you?!? Looks like she got off scott free. In the future, if a witness tells you something in confidence, remind them that they are obligated to do the right thing. Besides, when you reported this issue, surely your DON asked you who told you? I'd be disappointed in her if she didn't ask where you got your info and talk directly to that person. Anyway, it's in the past. Let it RIP. Hope you feel better soon. We all just do the best we can, and that's all we can do!!! Don't beat yourself up.

shannieliz · May 12, 2009

Actually the nurse and cna that told me both got fired, they were both involved in the abuse, the nurse was trying to get the cna to not tell, and came to me for advice, which is when I learned about the whole incident, I asked her if she realized that what they had done was abuse, and she said YES, can you believe the nerve? :nono: