Advice and support needed

[Lucydog14]

I have been away from Allnurses for over a year and this is a new username. I will try to keep my story short.

I am posting here because I want advice/support/stories from Canadian nurses, especially RPNs in Ontario.

I worked for the same employer for 10 years. Complex Continuing Care unit. Generally loved my job and coworkers, many of whom were friends outside of work. Really hated the culture of the management level and saw much bullying.

I was accused of breaching the nurse/patient therapeutic guidelines, which I did by communicating with a patient via text. He was the same age as my kids and I saw the patient as a kid. I admitted my transgressions but was fired and reported to the college. It took them a year to decide on no disciplinary action, I just have to appear for a verbal caution. How can I move on? Most of my so called friends abandoned me but a few marvelous people have supported me. I had to sell my house and move and I haven't worked as a nurse since. Any advice or words of wisdom?

[Fiona59]

A couple of thing spring to mind when reading this.

Who reported you to the College? Work, the patient, his family, a coworker?

I would stress at any future employment interviews that you have learnt from your mistake and now where the boundaries are.

I wish you luck in your search.

[Lucydog14]

Work had to report my termination and the reasons. It's mandatory. None of this will show up if a future employer checks my license status. The college says that since I wasn't disciplined I can honestly reply no to the question regarding disciplinary actions.

I feel so defeated and broken. I had five wonderful RNs write character reference letters that I was able to send to the college. Unfortunately the gals that I knew the longest and considered close friends have deserted me. A painful lesson.

[Lucydog14]

It really felt like a witch hunt. They made a lot of ridiculous accusations that were made up. When I denied the outrageous claims they "decided " I was lying and fired me for " lying ". The college said these claims were baseless .

[hopetopassnclex]

I have been away from Allnurses for over a year and this is a new username. I will try to keep my story short.

I am posting here because I want advice/support/stories from Canadian nurses, especially RPNs in Ontario.

I worked for the same employer for 10 years. Complex Continuing Care unit. Generally loved my job and coworkers, many of whom were friends outside of work. Really hated the culture of the management level and saw much bullying.

I was accused of breaching the nurse/patient therapeutic guidelines, which I did by communicating with a patient via text. He was the same age as my kids and I saw the patient as a kid. I admitted my transgressions but was fired and reported to the college. It took them a year to decide on no disciplinary action, I just have to appear for a verbal caution. How can I move on? Most of my so called friends abandoned me but a few marvelous people have supported me. I had to sell my house and move and I haven't worked as a nurse since. Any advice or words of wisdom?

So sorry to hear your story. It is heartbreaking. Are you still in Ontario or another Province? I wish i have a better advice. I hope someone here will have a helpful advice and support for you. Guys here are very helpful. All the best in the future. Please try avoid such incidence in your Job in the future.

[Lucydog14]

Oh yes I'm still in Ontario. Trying to rebuild but it's hard. I was supposed to have my verbal caution Wednesday and that was the end of it. Now they just cancelled and will have to rest.