Whistle Blowing and Retaliation

Once you have obtained a new position, it's time to find an attorney and file a hostile work environment lawsuit. I think this is something you really should seriously pursue.

You would think that any hospital would have a no-tolerance policy for employees stealing narcs.

You are right...I don't understand how she got promoted...I also don't understand why she wasn't flat-out fired and reported to the BON.

People don't steal narcs unless they have a drug-problem...it may not be the level of addiction, but when you put your license and your entire career on the line for a pill, when there are Dr. Feelgood's on every street corner, to me, that is a serious drug problem.

I'm going through a very similar deal, only i reported another nurse who took pictures of a patient's face after a horrific fall, then picture messaged and emailed them to her friends. Reported it to state. I'm looking for another job. You can't trust the HR of the company. I am in retaliation heck too. Not worth it. The bad guys always win in this world, celtic. The good guys get the shaft, every single time.

I agree with fines; it may make people think twice. Personally, I believe that it is safer for the individual to document everything witnessed and then to remove themselves (get another job) from the situation and then report.

I have been in situations like that as well, once in acute care, twice in LTC. In all the experiences, the nurse manager allowed personal friendships to interfere with his/her job responsibilities and looked the other way when his/her favorite nurses made mistakes. In one of the LTC facilities, actual harm resulted from the incompetency of a couple of favored employees and nothing was done. Yet, minor infractions by other staff resulted in written warnings, suspensions and even terminations.

I think the only way to win is to get OUT of the toxic work environment. Your mental and spiritual health (not to mention your physical health) are far more important than a nursing job in an unprofessional or unethical facility.

To the OP: I am so sorry this is happening to you and I am ashamed of my profession because incidents like yours (and Praying Mantis' and mine) are far too common. There is something vastly WRONG with the OP's facility if someone who was caught diverting drugs was PROMOTED. It is not a healthy place for you---or for those whom your facility serves. (BTW, can you report this outrageous turn of events to corporate or anyone else?)

Please take care!