In the interest of brevity: Three days ago I learned that my resident-care coordinator/lead medication assistant/lead caregiver has been diverting drugs and terrorizing the staff into keeping quiet by threatening to take everyone down with her if she were ever to be disciplined for it. On top of that, she has even been observed by several residents taking meds out of their apartments (this is a 42-room assisted living community). Some of us had been wondering about her mood swings lately, which have been increasing in both frequency and intensity; and as dedicated as she seemed to be, we had to wonder why she felt the need to come in to the facility at three and four in the morning when her shift didn't begin until six AM. (Hmmm........pharmacy usually delivers in the wee hours........couldn't possibly have anything to do with it, do you think?)
So I pulled her out of the med room Friday morning, relieved her of all her facility keys, and the administrator and I sat her down to confront her about the missing medications. Well, it was like something out of the movie "Sybil"........she changed moods so swiftly it was frightening. One minute she was wailing and sobbing, the next she was quietly apologetic, and then her eyes turned stone cold as she told us that if she was going down, she was going to "take as many of them (staff) down with me as I can". Then she'd go right back to crying and begging, and before it was over we saw at least five distinct emotional reactions, at least five different times apiece.
And as we watched her decompensate right in front of our eyes, I couldn't help thinking that this must be the definition of 'going postal'.
She called me from her apartment (which is right across the street from the building) about half an hour after this and went through 45 minutes of apologies mingled with moments of self-pity ("What am I going to do now? My life is over"), brief snatches of realization ("I know I screwed up"), and even some scattered efforts to kiss-and-make-up ("You're the best nurse I've ever worked with in my 30 years in health care"). Now, I happen to like this woman, and I know she's got issues---don't we all?---but my trust is GONE. I can't have someone with an active drug problem in my med room. I can't have someone going around and terrorizing the staff and/or the residents into keeping mum about her extracurricular activities. And I can't have someone working for me who will lie, cheat, and steal like this.
Well, that's not quite the end of the story.........yesterday, my swing shift med aide called to tell me that she'd called to let him know that she'd left her apartment and gone to a motel, and was planning on contacting a lawyer Monday. He told me he thinks she's afraid we're going to have her arrested, which hadn't really occurred to either the administrator or me, though with all the discrepancies we're finding now, I suppose that is an option. But now, cut off from her supply, totally alone in town, and with God knows what going through her fevered brain, it sounds to me like she's completely gone off the deep end........and that, I suppose, could make life really interesting for a while.
This is WAY more drama than I ever wanted to deal with. Who knows, with someone this unbalanced running around loose, y'all may end up reading about us in the newspaper one of these days.
Yeah........Division 47 is pretty scary, isn't it? I've learned to live with it, but I'm also pretty fussy about whom I delegate to.........unfortunately, this particular worker came with the job, and she certainly knows her meds!
I WISH the BON had some jurisdiction here, but very few of my staff are certified in anything, except for one med aide who's a CNA and a couple other caregivers who used to be. That's the way assisted living is in my state. And this 51-year-old ex-employee of mine doesn't have so much as a food handler's card.
As for security: The first thing I did was take away all her keys. That does not, of course, preclude having made extras, although one can certainly hope she hasn't. My boss and I have talked about a restraining order as well since there are at least two staff members who are deathly afraid of her---they believe she will find some way of getting even for 'ratting her out', as she herself put it.
I don't want to be an alarmist, but I've got to admit, I'm a teensy bit nervous. I've got a pretty good life going for me, and I'm not real crazy about the idea of ending up as a statistic. Just promise me that if you hear about some former healthcare worker from Texas going over the edge and shooting up an assisted living facility in western Oregon, you'll send a donation in my name to the geriatric program of your choice.
Just kidding.........I think. :uhoh21: :chair: :sofahider
MARLA !!!
OK... My merciful side just flew out the window. That's it ! :rotfl:
She had better keep her cool.
How sad that this is even allowed.. no certification in anything.. sheeeeesh !!! And handling/passing meds. That in itself is a crime IMO.
Surely she has been told she is not to return to this facility.. as in "barred" ?
Those coworkers will now be having to look over their shoulder when they come and go.... what a mess! And in her frantic, jonesing state, there's no telling WHAT she is capable of !!!
Are CNAs registered with the state at all? If she is a Registered CNA call up the department that holds the registry and let them know what is going on. They may have some sort of programs in place.
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
Wow, how interesting, we're having some similar drama where I work. Luckily, I'm not this person's supervisor, so it doesn't affect me quite as directly. You know what? Let her file her lawsuit and let corporate/legal (or whoever owns the place where you work) deal with it.
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
Oh, I don't really care about being sued in this case, because she hasn't got a leg to stand on. But it never fails to irritate me that so many people who claim they don't make enough money to own a car or pay for insurance, live in a decent home, buy groceries, pay their bills etc. ALWAYS seem to have enough for cigarettes, booze/drugs, and attorneys.:angryfire
Sorry for the rant......this situation worries me, and worrying makes me cranky.
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
Oh, I don't really care about being sued in this case, because she hasn't got a leg to stand on. But it never fails to irritate me that so many people who claim they don't make enough money to own a car or pay for insurance, live in a decent home, buy groceries, pay their bills etc. ALWAYS seem to have enough for cigarettes, booze/drugs, and attorneys.:angryfire
Sorry for the rant......this situation worries me, and worrying makes me cranky.
Oh, I can understand being worried. I probably shouldn't say too much publicly about what's going on at my work, but suffice to say that it has entered my mind more than once that workplace violence isn't just an abstract concept. It's very unsettling... Our person doesn't have a leg to stand on, either, but it is well known that 4 years ago, another employee was paid off to go away because TPTB said it was cheaper to do that than to fight a unsubstantiated claim. Something tells me it's about to happen again.
There is no way you could let her continue to work there, and you know you did the right thing. Is there proof that she diverted meds? If so, perhaps the police could be brought in. Which could either scare her, or make her more determined to get revenge.
Besides, instead of the police, I wonder if there is someway she could go to counseling instead. The way the BON does for licensed nurses. That way she would get help, and not have a police record and vengence on her mind.
Think I'd call the State BON and ask about that. Sounds like she is in a pretty fragile state right now. Wonder how long she plans to hole up in a motel. Can just imagine how jumpy the rest of the staff are now, looking over their shoulder every time the door opens. Ugh! especially on night shift. Are the doors kept locked on graveyards?
Aside from terminating her, did admin. have any other plans on what to do? Can't imagine her actually trying to sue the place. On what grounds?
Sorry you're involved in such a drama. And hope it all works out for the best - and quickly. You're always welcomed to come hide out with me if you want.
IMO the police need to be involved. Assisted living would include clients on medicare? That makes it a federal offense. You and the manager do not need to carry this burden alone. Taking her to court might just get her the help she needs. And might just keep you and yours safer.
IMO the police need to be involved. Assisted living would include clients on medicare? That makes it a federal offense. You and the manager do not need to carry this burden alone. Taking her to court might just get her the help she needs. And might just keep you and yours safer.
This bears repeating. God forbid something should happen to you or your co-workers. And there's always the possibility that she could go on a bender and hurt someone. If it got out that you had prior knowledge, you could be held liable.
Please, for the good of everyone involved, call the police.
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
Yikes! Marla, what a mess.
There is no way you could let her continue to work there, and you know you did the right thing. Is there proof that she diverted meds? If so, perhaps the police could be brought in. Which could either scare her, or make her more determined to get revenge.
Besides, instead of the police, I wonder if there is someway she could go to counseling instead. The way the BON does for licensed nurses. That way she would get help, and not have a police record and vengence on her mind.
Think I'd call the State BON and ask about that. Sounds like she is in a pretty fragile state right now. Wonder how long she plans to hole up in a motel. Can just imagine how jumpy the rest of the staff are now, looking over their shoulder every time the door opens. Ugh! especially on night shift. Are the doors kept locked on graveyards?
Aside from terminating her, did admin. have any other plans on what to do? Can't imagine her actually trying to sue the place. On what grounds?
Sorry you're involved in such a drama. And hope it all works out for the best - and quickly. You're always welcomed to come hide out with me if you want.
Thanks, Mary........you never know, if things get too weird, I might just take you up on that offer!
Yes, we do keep the doors locked after 9:30 PM. Seems hardly adequate, but staff is at least aware now that she is NOT allowed in the facility at night for any reason, and I took her keys so (I hope) she can't just unlock the door and waltz in.
As for proof she diverted drugs, we have a LOT of circumstantial evidence, and then there's the fact that she reportedly popped a Klonopin intended for a resident in her mouth, in front of another med aide. This seems really bizarre to me........why would she do that? I can't believe she'd think he wouldn't tell anybody.......was it total arrogance? Or was it a cry for help? I have to believe the other med aide's story, not only because there is a proponderance of other evidence against her, but because he's got no reason whatsoever to make up such a tale, let alone involve several other staff members in some wild conspiracy to unseat her. (Oh, yes, that's been brought up. )
It'll be interesting to see what discrepancies have been discovered over the weekend.........a couple of the med aides have done a little digging, and there are already several that occurred on Friday, just before I relieved her of her responsibilities. I shudder to think of what could have happened if I'd let it go another day or week or month...........or if my administrator had gone with his heart, as he usually does, and not listened to me.
He thanked me profusely Friday evening as I was leaving for the weekend; we've always gotten along well, but he's come to view me more as a partner than as just his employee, and I think this episode solidified his respect for me. It's also done something strange, and even sort of wonderful, for me as well: I'm discovering just how intertwined my life is with the life of this community.
It's funny, I'm not sure when this job became more than just a way to earn a living; it's part of who I am now as a person. My husband works there; my boys visit frequently; even my daughter and grandson come to see us there sometimes. Yes, I have a home, and I enjoy being there and doing 'home' things; but the residents have become like family, as have most of the staff, and I would do anything necessary in order to protect them from harm.......including, it seems, standing up to whomever I need to and perhaps even risking my financial and personal security. I've never enjoyed confrontation, but dammit, I don't care who you think you are, you're not going to hurt my people!!:trout:
Whatever happened to the mouseburger I used to be? I feel I have changed greatly in a short time; six months ago, I was allowing myself to be used and abused at work, failing to confront a boss who was making my life miserable, getting sick every time I turned around. Now I have NO trouble speaking up when it's necessary, I'm stretching myself in ways I never even thought possible, and I'm thriving both physically and mentally.
Now, if we can just get through this..........well, then ANYTHING is possible!!!
What she was doing was stealing something that belongs to the residents. If she got into their drawers and closets and took jewelry, a stereo, something like that, what would you do? The residents (or their insurance companies) paid for those meds, taking the meds is the same as taking a couple of rings and a CD or 6.
I really think you have no choice but to get the police involved. She has endangered the residents by not giving them their rightfully prescribed medications---what if the guy whose Klonipin she swiped had a seizure or 2, fell, hit his head, got brain damage, etc......? She threatened the staff, I don't think that's too cool or legal, and she stole stuff. Now she's out there being a danger to the community. Sorry, I think you need to drop a dime (?35cents?).
jnette, ASN, EMT-I
4,388 Posts
MARLA !!!
OK... My merciful side just flew out the window. That's it ! :rotfl:
She had better keep her cool.
How sad that this is even allowed.. no certification in anything.. sheeeeesh !!! And handling/passing meds. That in itself is a crime IMO.
Surely she has been told she is not to return to this facility.. as in "barred" ?
Those coworkers will now be having to look over their shoulder when they come and go.... what a mess! And in her frantic, jonesing state, there's no telling WHAT she is capable of !!!