Being written up

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I was written up for something that happened over a week ago. One of my patients who suffered a stroke and is not able to move her arms and legs very well and has difficulty with speech asked me call her husband one night. I dialed the  number for her like I've numerous times before.  They video chat. I stayed a little bit because I had to hold the phone for her. I could not understand what she was saying to her husband. After the conversation ended, the husband called the facility  saying his wife said she was punched in the mouth by her aid. I reported it to the supervisor and it was investigated and the CNA was suspended but has since returned to work. I initially said I was not in the room during the phone call which I  was. I was wrong for lying. Now they were accusing me that I am the one who put the idea in the patient's head and that the family confirmed. Those are all lies, I never said such things. I was with the aid when she was providing care to the resident. I know nothing happened. I know it looks bad when I said I wasn't in the room during the phone call with the patients husband.  I just meant that I didn't stay there long because I put the phone in the patient's hand so she can continue talking with her husband. I then left the room. I explained that to the DON and Administrator.  However a week after the fact. I was called to the office and written up for not being truthful.  I understand that but why did they take so long to decide to write me up. Why did they not write me up when it first happened if they felt I deserved it. Why wait so long. It doesn't make sense to me and seems a little fishy. Maybe I am exaggerating, I don't know. Please any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks again. Sorry for the long post.

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On 9/27/2020 at 8:22 PM, Springdaisy04 said:

I was written up for something that happened over a week ago. One of my patients who suffered a stroke and is not able to move her arms and legs very well and has difficulty with speech asked me call her husband one night. I dialed the  number for her like I've numerous times before.  They video chat. I stayed a little bit because I had to hold the phone for her. I could not understand what she was saying to her husband. After the conversation ended, the husband called the facility  saying his wife said she was punched in the mouth by her aid. I reported it to the supervisor and it was investigated and the CNA was suspended but has since returned to work. I initially said I was not in the room during the phone call which I  was. I was wrong for lying. Now they were accusing me that I am the one who put the idea in the patient's head and that the family confirmed. Those are all lies, I never said such things. I was with the aid when she was providing care to the resident. I know nothing happened. I know it looks bad when I said I wasn't in the room during the phone call with the patients husband.  I just meant that I didn't stay there long because I put the phone in the patient's hand so she can continue talking with her husband. I then left the room. I explained that to the DON and Administrator.  However a week after the fact. I was called to the office and written up for not being truthful.  I understand that but why did they take so long to decide to write me up. Why did they not write me up when it first happened if they felt I deserved it. Why wait so long. It doesn't make sense to me and seems a little fishy. Maybe I am exaggerating, I don't know. Please any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks again. Sorry for the long post.

They can't just write you up like that fast, but you made it complicated for everyone and yourself. 

 

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Since you know she wasn't punched in the mouth and she didn't complain to you directly, I would not have reported the aid.  If the family complained, say you weren't paying attention to the conversation.

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3 hours ago, Nummber Onne said:

Since you know she wasn't punched in the mouth and she didn't complain to you directly, I would not have reported the aid.  If the family complained, say you weren't paying attention to the conversation.

The patient’s husband called the facility after his conversation with his wife had ended, and said that his wife had told him she’d been punched in the face by a member of staff. As I understood OP, it was that phone call that OP in turn reported to their supervisor. If OP answered the call from the husband, it would hardly be good nursing practice to ignore that call and later claim s/he wasn’t paying attention.

If an allegation of abuse has been made by any patient or patient relative, it has to be taken seriously and be investigated. This was a vulnerable patient, a stroke victim. But of course OP should also have included in her/his report to the supervisor, what s/he’d witnessed. Including what didn’t happen (the punching of the patient), on the occasion OP was present when her/his coworker was interacting with the patient. 
 

 

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Why would you ever lie to them about something like that? Do you not realize how suspicious that makes you look? It makes me feel like your hiding something. 

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On 10/8/2020 at 11:29 AM, Nummber Onne said:

Since you know she wasn't punched in the mouth and she didn't complain to you directly, I would not have reported the aid.  If the family complained, say you weren't paying attention to the conversation.

That is terrible advice. It's the dumbest thing ever, unless you enjoy being having the legal system and the BON on your *** instead of just a random nursing administrator.

Receiving a family report of elder abuse puts one squarely under the obligations associated with being a mandated reporter.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
On 10/3/2020 at 4:26 PM, FolksBtrippin said:

On what ***ing planet is this malpractice?

 

Asking for a friend.

IMHO any working nurse who is not carrying is a fool. Harsh words I know but you do run the risk of significant finically loss if you are accused or. Charged with malpractice 

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