CNA lisence revoked for neglect

mvm2 · Sep 10, 2014

I may be wrong... but I do not think that state would revoke your licence just because you forgot a floor mat and an alarm. i think for them to revoke your licence on account of neglect it would have to be more sever then that. We all can make a mistake on account of forgetfulness.

Though I would think this kind of incident might effect you in long terms of trying to find a job down the road.

Good Luck you may have some hope that you are just on suspension and not fired yet.

UnaNayeli · Sep 10, 2014

I'm sorry you are going through this worry.

I believe healthcare professionals must take full responsibility for their mistakes and work to understand/ prevent recurrence of said mistakes. Still, we are also human. This is just my take from thinking about both sides:

The quality of our patients' lives can't be directly affected by our personal lives. Like you, I have been a single Mom of 3 and a full-time student while being employed. That's hard. I am impressed that you are working to better your life and set an example for your own family. But we have to be honest with ourselves about what we can/ cannot humanly achieve. Is there a way to adjust your responsibilities so that you are rested and your patients are safer? There are so many variables here. I have no idea what kind of support system you have (if any) or if there is, in fact, a direct correlation between the incident and your "tiredness." I was just going with what you wrote.

About the work thing and "not being able to breathe:"

* You have to breathe! These things are a process. You can't stay on high adrenaline mode indefinitely. I know you are scared and this is your livelihood, but there is nothing to be done but walk through this.

* Your employer CANNOT find you "guilty." Such rulings require a court/ judge. You may have been negligent or you may have made a human mistake, which is something humans do. Your employer can let you go (depending on your state's employment laws), but cannot revoke your license. That is a separate matter. Don't allow others power over your life that they don't have.

*ONLY the board which issues your license can revoke it. I would make sure you're familiar with your state board's policies/ laws. I have never had to legally face a Board and -- goodness knows, after 30+ years of caring for patients in various roles -- I have made mistakes in my time. What I do know is that I often see folks here say that anytime you answer to a board, you should seriously consider getting an attorney familiar with dealing with the board. (Yes, I know that can be hard as a single Mom.)

Keep writing. Let us know how you are. Keep in mind that your incident can look familiar to any co-worker aware of the situation and that you might want to be careful what you say here.

BIG HUGS!

Missingyou, CNA · Sep 11, 2014

Something similar happened a few years ago to a coworker/friend. Only, she did not lower the bed or put on an alarm. After the investigation, she was let go. She did NOT loose her certification tho. She was able to find another job in another nursing home not long after. She was honest with her new employer. Told them what happened and she understood the seriousness of it and she learned from her mistake.

ponymom · Sep 12, 2014

I have a former co-worker whom experienced the exact same scenario as you, OP. They were terminated from their employer, but were able to secure similar employment at a nearby facility and have remained there, for several years, now.

issanissa · Oct 10, 2017

I am in a situation currently like this now but a little different. So the patient was a little confused after the staff woke her up as I was busy I asked the to get a set of vitals for me. I went to my cart to get something for my current patient that I was dealing with. a little alter I was back at my cart and they said her bp was a little elevated so I had them repeat as I was still busy with the patient. she came back and said her blood pressure was good 140/84 I finished doing as I was doing then went to see the patient and she was in the dinning room so I went down there and she was sitting with her husband and talking on the phone. I figured I would look at her when she came back because she seemed stable to me. it was shift change so long story short later that evening family wanted her sent to ER she checked out ok but now I am being told I neglected her. what is the chance of me loosing license??!!! I'm scared!!!! The bad part there have been a few people out of the facility on neglect charges.

Orion81RN · Oct 14, 2017

Edit: sorry, this is for previous poster, not OP. I forgot to quote.

I'm not really understanding what happened here. Are you saying there was altered mental status that was NOT the patient's baseline? Or was this typical of this patient, to wake up experiencing confusion for a while?

If your patient had no hx of confusion, as much as it stinks, yeah...you should have assessed her better. Its good that you obtained vitals, but just seeing her from afar is not sufficient, and I can understand family getting upset, thinking you neglected any new symptoms.

This is where charting is your friend. If you charted that you obtained vital signs and assessed pt to be alert with no signs/syptoms of distress, that should cover your butt with the board. Maybe not your job, but at least not your license. Good luck! I hate when things happen near change of shift!