CNA in a heap of trouble!

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Hi. My name is John. Ive been a CNA in NY since 2005. I truly love what I do, but made a really bad mistake that I'm going to pay dearly for. I take accountability for all actions, and am not looking for sympathy from this board. I'm willing to face the consequences. I would just like some advice on how to handle this situation.

I am scheduled to appear at the local precinct Thurs. and be arrested, and processed by the DA for abuse. Back in Oct. 2011, I was transferring a resident from wheelchair to bed when she caught the back of her leg on the wheel-lock, causing a pretty deep laceration. I knew it, and put her heel floats on, and left room. She had been my resident since her admit. about 6 months prior, and had just been assigned a 2 person assist. I did the transfer by myself due to understaffing. Again, no excuse. I messed up. I freaked, and made a poor choice. I had just returned to work 2 months prior, from being in my second inpatient rehab. for alcoholism, and was put on Last Warning for Time and Attendance. Again, no excuse, but the fact I was on Final Warning caused me to make a very irrational, and selfish decision. When I was questioned about it the next morning via telephone, I denied it, but couldnt live with the guilt (and yes, fear of being caught anyway), so I called back and fessed up. Needless to say, I was fired, and the DOH contacted the DA, and I was investigated.

I'm not a bad person. I truly care, and try to do my job well. All my co-workers (Nurses, and CNAs) had loved working with me. Most of my residents always had requested that I administer care to them. I just made a horrible mistake based on fear. Like I said, I'm not looking for pity. I'll face the music, but I AM scared. Does any one think I'll be looking at jail time? I have a clean record. No felonies, or misdemeanors (Will that make a difference)? Is there ANY chance the court appointed attorney (I cant afford a lawyer, as I have been on unemployment since the incident) plea-bargaining, and me being put on probation, and just paying a fine? I truly believe I'm in healthcare because this is where I was MEANT to be. I love what I do. I just can't stand the possibility of never being able to work in healthcare again. Any advice would help me sleep better. Thanks!

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I have no advice. I just wanted to say you are in my prayers.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, StepDown, Tele, ICU.

Best advice I can give is to get this thread deleted and not talk about legal matters online. You deserve to face the consequences and you probably will. You should probably lose your license, but doubt you'll do any hard time. It sounds like you have already done some reflecting on your decision. A caregivers role is to put the well-being of the patient ahead of their own needs. Best of luck with all of this.

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8:13 pm by munski1968

Hi. My name is John. Ive been a CNA in NY since 2005. I truly love what I do, but made a really bad mistake that I'm going to pay dearly for. I take accountability for all actions, and am not looking for sympathy from this board. I'm willing to face the consequences. I would just like some advice on how to handle this situation.

I am scheduled to appear at the local precinct Thurs. and be arrested, and processed by the DA for abuse. Back in Oct. 2011, I was transferring a resident from wheelchair to bed when she caught the back of her leg on the wheel-lock, causing a pretty deep laceration. I knew it, and put her heel floats on, and left room. She had been my resident since her admit. about 6 months prior, and had just been assigned a 2 person assist. I did the transfer by myself due to understaffing. Again, no excuse. I messed up. I freaked, and made a poor choice. I had just returned to work 2 months prior, from being in my second inpatient rehab. for alcoholism, and was put on Last Warning for Time and Attendance. Again, no excuse, but the fact I was on Final Warning caused me to make a very irrational, and selfish decision. When I was questioned about it the next morning via telephone, I denied it, but couldnt live with the guilt (and yes, fear of being caught anyway), so I called back and fessed up. Needless to say, I was fired, and the DOH contacted the DA, and I was investigated.

I'm not a bad person. I truly care, and try to do my job well. All my co-workers (Nurses, and CNAs) had loved working with me. Most of my residents always had requested that I administer care to them. I just made a horrible mistake based on fear. Like I said, I'm not looking for pity. I'll face the music, but I AM scared. Does any one think I'll be looking at jail time? I have a clean record. No felonies, or misdemeanors (Will that make a difference)? Is there ANY chance the court appointed attorney (I cant afford a lawyer, as I have been on unemployment since the incident) plea-bargaining, and me being put on probation, and just paying a fine? I truly believe I'm in healthcare because this is where I was MEANT to be. I love what I do. I just can't stand the possibility of never being able to work in healthcare again. Any advice would help me sleep better. Thanks!

I will not say anything about what you did. You need to think about what helping others means. You need to contact a lawyer. The court should appoint you an attorney if you can't afford one, or try legal aid.

mc3 :nurse:

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Specializes in retired LTC.

And don't keep posting on the 'net. Everything becomes public info --- and can follow you . A lawyer will tell you this too. Good luck.

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Specializes in ER, Med-surg.

I can't see a way to work in the medical field with any kind of criminal background, much less an incident that occurred while on the job at the medical facility. Honestly, it's going to be hard to find any job if you are even arrested without a conviction. Good luck to you.

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You should be telling this to your lawyer, and expressing your concerns to that attorney.

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we are prohibited from giving you any sort of legal advice, per tos.

you definitely should be consulting with an attorney.

good luck to you.

leslie

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

We have the utmost compassion for your situation and hope that you get the help you need. However, legal advice is not permitted to be exchanged on these forums. An attorney would be the most qualified person to give legal advice.

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