Re: protecting yourself against complaints

Originally Posted by rolland542

Obviously you have never been put into this situation. I was falsely accused of sexual harassment by a co-worker who had supposedly received two complaints from others. I was disciplined. Then months later a patient file a false allegation of professional sexual misconduct. If the DON had of investigated the allegation properly, they would have found out her long psych history, her history of both criminal and professional allegations against men and the fact that her allegation changed significantly in a span of 5 hours. I provided them with a witness (I now have a sworn statement from them) that they NEVER questioned. I quit - but then they filed action with BON. I have now spent over 9 grand defending myself against an action that only I have investigated. I am filing suit against everyone.............I am done with the crap. Let the patient's name get dragged through the mud. Let her psych history come out - I have had to go through TWO psych evals one reg and one psycho sexual- both which show me completely normal with NO deviant tendancies!!!!! The co-worker who filed the first one has a long history of being a trouble maker in the workplace. Plus the manager wanted me gone.....she has a long history of NOT investigating sexual harrassment complaints but the bogus complaint against me got top priority - why is that? maybe because I filed an EEOC case against her.......well I support TORT law - and I have a dam good attorney - get out your checkbooks people - the cost of healthcare just went up, just because a manager and a DON couldn't do an investigation.

I am sorry you have had to go through all this. There is no excuse for them not investigating the whole situation. I don't know what else to say except good luck with your case against them. I hope they have to pay for the damage they have done you by being negligent in their management duties. I wish you well.

Emma Peel

Re: protecting yourself against complaints

This story really upsets me, especially that you had to talk with the police for 3 hours. That's just rediculous. Don't give up nursing.

Re: protecting yourself against complaints

Surprised here the police tried to question the original poster at work. Hopefully, the OP has seen this:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...02514885833865

Re: protecting yourself against complaints

Originally Posted by Emma Peel

I am sorry you have had to go through all this. There is no excuse for them not investigating the whole situation. I don't know what else to say except good luck with your case against them. I hope they have to pay for the damage they have done you by being negligent in their management duties. I wish you well.

Emma Peel

Just wanted to update everyone on the post. I was terminated from my new job on Monday because I failed to notify the company of the BON case. I was hired prior to the onset of the case and prior to the allegation being brought to the BON but that apparently doesn't matter. I guess my attorney appt on Monday is going to include adding my former employer to the suit for wrongful dismissal.
It's amazing that regardless of the fact that I "have shown nothing but excellence from my first day" according to the CEO of the facility and the fact "that you are a great nurse" according to the DON doesn't matter. I am sickened that the healthcare system is driving out good nurses based on false allegations and the opinions of attorneys at being high risk.
That's my two cents worth. About all I can afford until I can find another job. One that will hire me with a open BON case.

Re: protecting yourself against complaints

I wish you luck

Re: protecting yourself against complaints

Thank you. Pass the word amoungst your fellow male nurses. BUY MALPRACTICE INSURANCE!!!!! At $150.00 a year max, it is well worth every penny. And it is a tax deduction too!

Re: protecting yourself against complaints

Interesting!
I never have any problems! I have been an RN since 2004 and prior to that I was an LPN for 4 years.
I always explain to the patient what I was going to do! I have never received any complain!
However, should there might be a problem, I always bring a female CNA/PCT with me....and always document the result!
We have a male nurse up here in New York and he got complain regarding to "inappropriate touch." He got suspended pending for the investigation. He was clear at the end...lucky him!

Re: protecting yourself against complaints

Malpractice insurance will not protect you from losing your license!
So many innocent people go to jail for no reason...
Your own judgment is the best protection!
Always listen to the shift report, you might be able to "spot" the problematic patients...Patients are having history of psy. Patients always complaint and they are always demanding. This is a red flag!

Re: protecting yourself against complaints

Originally Posted by lpn2icu

Malpractice insurance will not protect you from losing your license!
So many innocent people go to jail for no reason...
Your own judgment is the best protection!
Always listen to the shift report, you might be able to "spot" the problematic patients...Patients are having history of psy. Patients always complaint and they are always demanding. This is a red flag!

Unfortunately, this patient never complained until the next morning, otherwise, I would have had my witness step forward immediately. And then to add butter to the problem, when I did put my witness forward to admin. all they asked him if this patient was normal or crazy. They never asked him what he saw in the room. So I was hung out to dry regardless.

The fact that she was on 4 psych meds cannot be a red flag or, as a nurse, I am failing in my duties. We must always treat all patients the same, and never distinguish between potential problematic ones or we will find ourselves in court. A chest pain is a chest pain, regardless of their history.

I have a 20 year career with never one patient complaint, med error, or anything! But now I am facing leaving Nursing and not by my choice. The "Board" is choosing it for me!

Advice for EVERYONE! ALWAYS TAKE AN ATTORNEY WITH YOU FOR ANY "INFORMATION" MEETING AT THE BOARD! They do not exist for nurses and often their tactic is to threaten you with immediate revocation if you do not sign a stipulation regardless of the truth.

Re: protecting yourself against complaints

rolland542
I took time to read your statement and I found out you are into a "deep" trouble/problem! I am sorry to see that! I was not responding to your comment/situation.
I think you could have resigned from that job right after you were "falsely accused.." It sounded like a trouble place anyway.
Then you hit with the "professional sexual misconduct."
I thought the DON reported to the state and I found out it was the BON!
It sounds like they got the "evidence."
Did you file the EEOC case before or after you resigned?
It sounded like the whole 9 yards is out against you! Your co-worker, patients, manager and the BON are all out...
The only thing I can say is...good luck!
I just don't know what else I can say!