Devastated after 17 years

Dolce, RN · Jan 30, 2008

In my opinion, your "cheating" in taking NRP had nothing to do with your job. Even if you were cheating and were using the test results they could have failed you out of NRP but I don't see how they can fire you. The ACLS/PALS courses that I have taken have been very strict about test question answers. I think I would have been flunked out of the class if I would have tried to cheat. However, I don't see how they can fire you from a job for that unless there is more to the story than just this one incident.

I, quite frankly, don't see why the BON should be involved.

(((hugs)))

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2008

I give this with whole hearted support....

A. It's not a BIG deal....but if these classes are required for your job, why would you have an answer sheet in the first place? Aren't you supposed to know the answers after taking the class?

B. Nurses are upheld to professional standards, including honesty. at least you didn't try to hide it, but I think there's more to the story then you're letting on. I would seriously doubt the BON would have the time to mess around with frivolent crud like this.

C. I believe this thread is asking for legal advice, and would advise you to contact your own lawyer, as union may not have your best interests at heart.

(waiting for closure here....)

vamedic4, EMT-P · Jan 30, 2008

Ouch, I'm so sorry for your predicament. That said, it's utterly ridiculous that this happened to you. I can't believe this, but wait, after reading what nurses do to their own, yes, I can.

First off, having never taken NRP I can't vouch for that class, but for ACLS, PALS, PHTLS, and all the others...quite frankly the worst they should have or even COULD have done to you is flunk you, and that would be a joke since one of your instructors has already given out answers.

You never should have lost your job. The two have nothing to do with one another, even if passing (or maintaining the cert) is required for employment. You could always have retaken the class.

I remember the days when you had to actually know what you were doing while taking ACLS and PALS, and I also remember the "no fail" atmosphere at some recertification classes where answers were shared, discussions were many, and books were open during the tests. This still happens, because they want everyone to have a basic grasp of the concepts, basic understanding of the processes and principles involved in saving lives.

You got the shaft. I'm very sorry you're in this predicament.

vamedic4

justme1972 · Jan 30, 2008

I give this with whole hearted support....
A. It's not a BIG deal....but if these classes are required for your job, why would you have an answer sheet in the first place? Aren't you supposed to know the answers after taking the class?
B. Nurses are upheld to professional standards, including honesty. at least you didn't try to hide it, but I think there's more to the story then you're letting on. I would seriously doubt the BON would have the time to mess around with frivolent crud like this.
C. I believe this thread is asking for legal advice, and would advise you to contact your own lawyer, as union may not have your best interests at heart.
(waiting for closure here....)

I disagree, I don't think the OP is asking for legal advice.

Asking WHO to contact first isn't legal advice, it's just direction of where to start.

No different than if someone has a criminal record the Mod's advise someone to call the BON of their state...it's just the most appropriate place to start.

rn/writer, RN · Jan 30, 2008

As has been stated, we can't give legal advice.

Will, however, allow this thread to remain open for the sake of encouragement.

I wish you the best in either resolving this wrenching situation or finding a job where you are more appreciated.

imenid37 · Jan 30, 2008

Are they also firing all of those who did this in the past? Is NM "cleaning house" to bring in her own cheering section or as a powerplay? Why does admin. allow this? Were you given notice at the beginning of the class that it would be having a lessrelaxed format than in the past? Good luck. NM sounds like a tyrant on a power trip!

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 30, 2008

How did the previous class get the answer sheets? Were they given them by the instructors, or did they make them or keep them on their own?

If they were given them by the instructors, then the instructors should have expected them to be shared.

I had something similar happen in graduate school. The course instructor allowed students to keep old tests. They were shared with the next class, not with intent to cheat, but to be used as study guides. I glanced through one myself, for a minute or two, just to see what kinds of questions were asked.

Lo and behold, when we took the test, the questions started to look awfully familiar. Finally one of the students who had spent some time looking at the old test told the instructor.

She had given the exact same test. She was shocked- shocked!!- to learn that they'd been shared. We were all threatened with academic dishonesty.

Someone finally managed to explain to the instructor and the department head that, in our experience, instructors who allowed students to keep old tests did not re-use them; instructors who used the same tests kept them closely controlled.

She wrote another test, we took it, and went on.

If something similar has happened in this case, maybe it would help to explain that the answers were used as a study guide and that you did not expect to see the exact same test.

oramar · Jan 30, 2008

This manager was looking to clean house. She wanted to put her own people in place. She would have found something else if not this to get rid of you and the other people. If you have a union rep and several people were fired then by all means get the union in on this.

mianders, RN · Jan 30, 2008

Sounds like you have had a long distingiushed career. It is so sad when new management comes in and completely disregards all that you have contributed to your unit over the last 17 years. I am so sorry you have to go through this. :icon_hug:

BlueRidgeHomeRN · Jan 30, 2008

i am so sorry for your pain--i too was fired for totally bogus reasons. unfortunately, if a boss wants you gone, they will find something. stay strong--i am now in a job and nursing field i love, working for a real professional.

take some time to cry and be ticked off, then go see what else is out there!:hngon:

Natkat, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 30, 2008

This manager was looking to clean house. She wanted to put her own people in place. She would have found something else if not this to get rid of you and the other people. If you have a union rep and several people were fired then by all means get the union in on this.

I agree.

This is common with new management. If it wasn't this, it would be something else.

I think having the answer sheets is beside the point - it's neither here nor there. At my job we have to have a competency exam every year. The manager gives us the exam and we do our best to answer the questions. No one asks where we get the answers from. This is year I failed my exam so my supervisor gave it to me to do it again. No big deal.

I realize this is the culture where I work. It might not be the same someplace else. The trick is knowing the difference. Another clinic or another manager might have shown me the door or put me on probation or something.

Say what you will about honesty or dishonesty. A lot of these tests and recerts are bull and our supervisor knows it, so she does what she can to get us through it.