Coworker was fired yesterday.

[flashpoint]

One of my coworkers was fired yesterday. She had been put on suspension a few times and she had been sent to counseling because she has a tendancy to make rude comments to patients. She once told a patient who had been incontinent of stool several times that she was making baby like messes. The patient started to cry and she then told the patient that not only did she poop like a baby, but she cried like one too. The patient died the nest day and the family was devastated that her comment was one of the last things said to their loved one before she became unconscious and went dramatically downhill. She'd had several patients complain about her attitude and that they felt like they were troubling her every time they put their call light on. She also had a habit of pushing a lot of her work off on the CNAs, while she sat and read the newspaper, etc. She'd been talked to about that habit several times. Saturday, she had another patient who had been up to the commode several times. This 98 year old woman had never been in the hospital in her entire life and she'd only been sick enough to see a doctor a few times. The nurse told the patient that if she needed the commode one more time she was going to "stick a plug in her hole so the nurses could get some real work done." The patient was devastated by the comment and the patient's son was ready to kill the nurse. The patient didn't put her call light on for the rest of the shift and the next shift found her in tears with stool and urine everywhere. I don't really know why the family didn't report this to the charge nurse or request another nurse or something. Yesterday, the family called the nurse manager to complain and the nurse was fired soon after. She'd been warned a few weeks ago that if she had any more patient complaints that she would be terminated.

So, here's my dilemma. This nurse called me today and asked me if she could use me as a reference when she applied for other jobs. I told her that I couldn't give her a good reference with a clear conscience. I feel sort of guilty about that. When she does a good job, she does a very good job, but when she doesn't she is nothing short of horrible. I still hate the idea that she is out of work and is probably going to have a tough time finding another job. I know have no reason to feel guilty, but...sigh! Should I call her and tell her I changed my mind and focus on her positive attributes if someone calls or should I stick to my guns? Thanks for reading my vent!

[bigsyis]

An office coworker was fired this week because of the way she talked to and treated her pts. She had been given multiple "chances" but had successfully insulted most of the quite large staff in this office, and had several pt complaints filed against her. When she was asked to leave, she wouldn't!:icon_roll She finally was told to get her purse and get out or hospital security would be called to escort her out. She then called the pt who complained about the way she was treated AT HER RESIDENCE and told her off for "causing her to lose her job." Okay-has anyone ever heard of anything as brazen as that? This nurse was as the OP described-she could be a good nurse, but when she was bad, she was AWFUL! It is very unfortunate that people like that are nurses. They are like some pervasive pestilence with their bad attitudes and trouble.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

She created this problem. It is hers, not yours. You did the right thing.

[leslie :-D]

When she does a good job, she does a very good job, but when she doesn't she is nothing short of horrible. I still hate the idea that she is out of work and is probably going to have a tough time finding another job.

and i hate the fact that these poor residents have been exposed to her mental instabilities.

i don't feel badly for anyone who's abusive.

good riddance to her.

leslie

[sticknurse]

Her behaviour was unacceptable. She's an adult. We have a responsibility to protect the vulnerable ones. We don't need nurses with abusive attitudes. I wouldn't feel bad about her departure. Too many times we enable these people. Wouldn't that "we feel bad we didn't include you" possibly reinforce to her that she was not that bad, and therefore wouldn't feel it necessary to change her behavior in the future? Don't prevent someone from feeling the natural consequences of their actions!!! How will she learn? Honesty Honesty Honesty!! she's a stinker.

[RNforLongTime]

This person has NO business being in nursing... Do NOT give her a reference under any circumstances.

[shmoofins]

I hope this nurse found a job outside of patient care or customer service. I hope she's not still doing this to other patients.

[ebear, BSN, RN]

cotjockey,

I agree wholeheartedly with mjlrn97! Not only NO REFERENCE but straight to the BON! This person sounds as if she needs psychiatric help. She is not only inappropriate, she is ABUSIVE.

ebear