why its best to keep ur mouth shut

[sax_journey]

Hi all.

I wrote some time ago about a collegue who i had witnessed being physically and verbally abusive to residents in our LTC facility, and also administering sedation not written up for residents.....so i reported her (As did 2 other nurses), she was subsequently fired. thats the good news

ok now the bad news is that...now i have been reported by a collegue (in retaliation for getting her friend fired) ...i have been accused of

1. lying about seeing this nurse administer the meds to cover up that i was doing it.

2. stating that all my residents are "evil" and threatening to kill them all by overdosing them with insulin

3. Being suicidal and generally "unstable" and "unfit for duties"

(i do have some very very old scare--like from years ago--on my arm from where i used to self injure,,,,but that is in the very distant past, and was not a suicide attmept....)

THESE CLAIMS ARE UNTRUE !!!!!!!! AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE....

i was so upset to hear these, as i a am a very caring nurse....i love my residents, and work hard to care for them... i cry everytime one of them dies, i even cry if they fall and break a hip or something....i would never ever hurt them!!!!

but the story gets worse......

the facility told me NOTHING of these claims, did not ask me about them, or try to verify or clarify any info....i found out from the DON at MY OTHER JOB!!! (a general surgical ward int he next state!)..........i was suddenly pulled off the floor called to her office for an interview with her and the mental health crisis team, where i was presented with a written report from this other facility detailing these (unfounded!!) claims! i was so shocked and upset....now i am angry!!!

furthermore collegues from the workplace where this incident originated have rang me stating that management have rung them, and discussed this entire alleged incident with them (even people not present at the time these things supposedly happened!), also my mental health state has been discussed with other collegues.....and still NO ONE from managament contacted me....

i have been subjected to lenghty interviews and psych evals at my other workplace (who thankfully realise these allegations are insane!!! but have to cover themselves legally by addressing the issue....)....

so i spoke to a lawyer, who told me this is slander and defamation.....i wrote to the management detailing that i was dissapointed th matter was not discussed with me, before being passed on to other collegues, and to my other workplace, and that i intend to take legal action.....they rang me back straight away denying that they had spoken to my other workplace, and stating that they spoke to collegues and to mental health out of their great concern for me (yeah thanks now my nursing career is over so i really appreciate their "concern")....so anyhow they want a meeting and state "we can work something out"....i told them i wanted union rep present, and they state that its "not necesscary".......i tell them that yes it is!! so they then say they are busy and cant meeet til next week!! and then tell me i am suspended!!! i havent done anything wrong!!! its not like i ever want to go back after this, but i havent done anything wrong, and now this is all over my nursing record at my other job, and on my mental health file!!!

next prob is that coz i live close to state border, i only joined the union for the state i live in and work most of my time in....and unfortunatly for me these probs are in the other state.....so the union doesnt want to know...they told me to ring the union for the other state but they dont want to know either.(it is too draining on their resources) ...i have spoken to a lawyer but its so expensive, and now that i am suspended and possibly fired from one job i cant afford it....so i dont know what to do, should i quit and just move on? but it isnt right!!!!!!!!

now i have a meeting next week with this managment and i am so scared what will happen, and that they will turn everything around and try to blame me for things i am innocent of......how can i clear my name??? is there anything i can do?? please help . i am innocent!

[alintanurse]

I wonder if along with having someone with you at this meeting, can you request to tape record the session? I have been able to do this in sticky situations and it helped immensely.

[sunnyjohn]

You did the right thing.

Right makes might.

Agape

[SmilingBluEyes]

I stand w/the others in backing you. You did the right thing. Shame that doing right gets punished in so many places. I also agree, get a lawyer AND your union rep in your corner. DO NOT EVEN try to fight this alone. And believe me, they will fight, dirty. Be prepared w/the best representation you can find. You did NOTHING WRONG. The burden or proof is THEIRS and they have NONE. But from now on, you do NOT go to ANY meetings alone, have a union rep, at least with you at each one you attend.

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

I have no words of wisdom or advice, but I said a prayer for you for strength and wisdom. Please know He will watch over you during this trying time and in the end, you will be rewarded for doing the right thing. Have a blessed day.

[mattsmom81]

I went through a very similar thing once (a vindictive, untrue reporting) here in the states and I'll be honest with you...it is very difficult and draining in many ways monetarily and emotionally, etc. Its best now that you should not speak further to this hospital unless your attorney OK's what you are saying at every turn.

That said, I hope your attorney is correct and you will prevail, and get a settlement to defray costs of defense. Here in the states a PI attorney will go contingent (work for free and take his share of the eventual settlement) Now they've suspended you seems they are playing right into your attorney's hands.

I know all you want is your good name back and I pray you are successful. It is sad that in nursing someone vindictive can stir up so much trouble for another nurse. There but for the grace of god go we all.