Please Help!!

Nurses Criminal

Published

I am a fairly new nurse and have been working at a nightmare of a nursing home. I was working the6a-6p shift. The nurse that was supposed to relieve me came in an hour and a half late. When I tried to leave, she was on the phone, but told me I couldn't leave without giving her report. I told her to hang up the phone so I could give her report. She didn't, so I attempted to take the phone out of her hand. A screaming match ensued. The ADON was called. The other nurse called the police, and i was placed under a citizens arrest (Not going on my record, I am told by the officer). The other nurse had a red mark on her neck, supposedly from where I grabbed the phone. The nursing home is turning me over to the board. I have only been a nurse for 6 months. I only wanted to get home to my kids. I never agreed to work late. What can I do? Am I going to lose my license?

Heidigosique: I am not sure how to e-mail on here. My e-mail is [email protected]. I would greatly appreciate any advice I can get. Thank you all for your wise advise and sincere support

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Specializes in ER/ MEDICAL ICU / CCU/OB-GYN /CORRECTION.

do not go to the bon without an attorney. beg or borrow but get an attorney.

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found an ad in "Oklahoma Nurse" newspaper today....

I do not know this group just saw the ad.

It says they represent nurses before the board.

Scoggins & Cross Attorneys at Law

Not sure I can post the phone number on here though- maybe you can look them up

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Thank you OKchug...I will definately check that out

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Here is their website... http://www.okhealthlawyer.com

It's under construction so it doesn't have any info but there is an address and phone #.

In looking at the BON website and disciplinary info, it seems that your problem would fall under "unprofessional conduct". It is a general term and can be applied to workplace issues. Honestly, the situation was unprofessional on both sides....BUT that doesn't mean that you should bear the brunt of it all. You deserve to defend yourself and get fair treatment.

Good Luck.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

members have used referral service of the american association of nurse attorneys

an staff always advises carrying professional --average cost general staff nurse is $125-$150/yr -- includes representation before bon for issues such as this.

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I e-mailed okhealthlawyers yesterday. Will call Monday. And will check out the other site as well.I am so glad that I posted on this site. You have all been so helpful. Thank you all so much!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Acute Rehab.

I am surprised that no one mentioned that regardless of the fact that this nurse was terribly unprofessional and disrespectful of your time, you were the one that made physical contact with her. This is battery! Read the definition below, but you should have learned that in nursing school. I don't mean to be unsympathetic to your situation, but we must never, ever let ourselves get so angry at a co-worker that we put our hands on them in any way whatsoever.

Battery

Battery is the willful or intentional touching of a person against that person's will by another person, or by an object or substance put in motion by that other person. Please note that an offensive touching can constitute battery even if it does not cause injury, and could not reasonably be expected to cause injury.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Acute Rehab.

Forgot to add that I do wish you good luck with this situation.:heartbeat

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To the best of my knowledge, the other nurse was not disciplined. Report was written down. Every time I tried to explain that she wouldn't let me talk. I really wish I had just walked away...what a mess. A detail I left out is that when I did leave...I was called (by the police) to come back, so i was gone for 30 minutes. When I got back she had the red mark...not sure she did when I left. Not makin this up...the girl is not that mentally stable. Recently was in rehab or mental health facility for nervous breakdown. Not judging...just saying

Be prepared for the other nurse to state that since you grabbed the phone from her and (allegedly) injured her in the process over a work disagreement, that YOU are the unstable one. You will have to explain how physically escalating the situation was in any way constructive, professional, or rational.

I'm not saying I don't understand your anger (she sounds like a complete jerk, quite frankly), but the other side will certainly be focusing on the fact that you addressed this situation in a physical manner. You need to be prepared for how to respond to that in a way that won't make you look like you are not owning your actions.

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I am a pretty honest person...and know that I handled the situation less than professionally...I wish I could have a redo for just 5 minutes. However, it is what it is, and I just hope that everything that I have worked so hard for isn't gone because of one unfortunate lapse in forethought

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so, how's it going? have you talked with the attorney? Hope things are working out okay.

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