Whistleblower Blues in Fort Worth, Texas

It was not crippersmom that took offense to the "shut up" post it was me. I totally agree with what you said and was thinking of posting something to the effect, "don't post about this anymore and get a lawyer" but I wouldn't have said, "shut up". However, on second read I thought "no this is just a vent and I won't respond", then like I said then I saw the "shut up" and posted. I don't think the "shut up" bothered crippersmom at all but it pushed my button. Oh well, enough about 'shut up', have a nice day, see you around.

Outstanding, good luck.

The original post states "I was told of another nurse taking pictures. . . .etc". You were told???? and then reported this 'hearsay' to a supervisor??? Did you have any proof?? I'm not surprised people are out to get you.

crippersmom...please check your private messages

I was told by EMS that this kid in my ER may have been abused. Clearly, I have no duty to report this finding as I do not have proof.

I agree with the overall advice, but the tone is rather sharp. You are trying to stress the importance of this situation, I know. To the original postor, stop talking publically on this matter and seek a lawyer. Get your documentation in order too. And don't speak, text, e-mail to your co-workers or friends of this-it is a legal matter and anyone you divulge information to can/will become involved willingly or unwillingly. Always go on the advice of your lawyer before venting to family...Sorry this is happening to you. Good luck

Free audio conference TODAY 11AM EST, may give you ideas

May 15th Free audio conference: Speaking Up for Yourself and Your Patients

" discuss the role of truth-telling and moral agency in health care."

i agree. One other option is to stay firm in your way and continue. Pray for people that abuse others, they will have their karma. Go to the person personally and tell them that you dissaprove of their behavior, and you would like to see them do good for others, but do not approach this person at the work site. Just go on about your business and stay uninvolved, unless it involves your reputation, verbal or written and it is false. then take legal action.
There are all kinds of wicked people in the nursing profession. I have seen this wickedness in my nursing instructors, and other students see it as well. Sometimes me and study group talk about how wicked the instructors are, although we are learning, but we ask ourselves why are these instructors so wicked and hateful when we ask them questions, we just figure, well they are not taking care of patients, and they are just coming everyday to the college to get their $$$$, a pay check. They do not want to work in a hospital and take care of people, they are sick and tired of it is the message that we get from them, and then they take their tied and sickness out on the students. next semester we are going to videotape and record every interaction with the instructors and start exposing these nursing instructors' attitudes to the president of the college. My, my, I would not want any of these nursing instructors taking care of my dog, they are too insenitive and down right mean and only if they knew, we can see it and feel their rotten attitudes. But, I will get through this nursing program no matter how they treat us, we want to be nurses, and they don't-anymore-that's obvious. There are some nursing instructors who are really really nice, and smart and dedicated in helping the students. there was one instructors who showed disgust because she seen another instructors trying to really help the students, and tried to cut her short, how obvious was that for everyone to see that the other instructor had a bad attitude, but seniority ruled, the instructor that was helping us just ignored the disgruntle instructor....shewwww!!! was a site that was.
Some of these nursing instructors need to get a life outside of teaching nursing students.

Now, see we all have our experiences, if a nursing instructor can show an attitude like that, let's us be glad that she is not in the hospital taking care of our loved ones. YEA.......so glad.

So, do the best you can everyday. Walk right past those that are falling, let them fall if they insist, you stay up though and keep going.

I still say to get involved in another area of nursing, it is out there just find it, you will have to explore though, seriously explore all your options.

You may want to ask someone to be a mentor to you, like look for another nurse that has a better perspective of nursing, feed yourself in that manner, feed your soul with the good from other nurses, do not participate in any wrong doing. Perform in the heat of passion for nursing with others that have that heated passion for nursing. take care.

Your describing a different situation, with different legal ramifications. Reporting something about a fellow emplyee, without proof can be labeled slander. The person who supposedly saw the picture taking should have been the one to report it. The fact that they didn't, makes me wonder if it really happened. It's a pretty bizarre story.

Abuse is abuse IMHO. Does not matter who is on the giving and receiving end. You could get in trouble for not reporting. Even looking at somebodies medical records without cause is a serious violation. Just ask the nurses who lost their jobs followin the Spear's incident. Picture taking is just as bad, perhaps worse when the patient is on the floor bleeding. Even taking pictures of dead people will get you in trouble. Just look at the EMT who is on hot water over his facebook pictures. We have an obligation to report this kind of stuff. If not for our patient's best interest, then for the sake of keeping ourselves out of hot water.