Discipline Meeting

[nurse_elle1956]

I was recently off on a paid suspension after a false accusation from a fellow colleague about potential narcotic use.  I’m told at the end of the week I’m meeting with HR, the union and management.  I’ve been left in the dark regarding the details of such.  Does HR attend all meetings with the union or should I suspect the worse - firing.  I’ve been riddled with stress being home with no details.  The unit has been less then helpful.

[southern rn]

I would recommend trying to obtain malpractice insurance if you can do that quickly.If this escalates to the board and you need a lawyer for defense malpractice insurance will pay lawyer fees.It will not apply to a case that has already been opened by the BON.Most policies are around $100 per year .

[OlderNurseforHighPerformance]

You truly need someone with you. You can usually find out which lawyer in town lives to represent employees against the hospital. If they are aggressive lawyers they can usually get it turned around. If the hospital fires you he can sue them. I know someone who hot a large settlement as the employee was following protocal.

That@ another thing. Are there policies over what they are accusing you of. Get a copy of the policy. Is that the only policy?  I had an issue one time of reduction in force. The hospital policy was silent as to who they selected for reduction but the nursing department had a policy that said seniority determined who was in the reduction. So look for conflicting policies. They are your levers.

Good luck.

[Marie Bailey, MSN]

I had someone accuse me of opiate diversion once. Reality: I have had 1 opiate (lortab) in my entire life. It was prescribed after oral surgery, & it made me puke. Questions:

What is this accusation based on?

Were you offered a UDS before they went this far? 
Any pharmacy reports to back up their claims, showing trends in discrepancies or much higher narcotic removal from the Pyxis than nurses with similar patients (on a routine basis)? 
The people who throw out such accusations with no legit evidence usually have more to hide than anyone else, or are targeting you for an unrelated, likely trivial reason. 
There should be adequate punitive steps for people who arbitrarily throw around such damaging accusations. 

[nurse_elle1956]

You are right.  Nothing became of the investigation other then several paid shifts off.  I came back and was locked out of the accudose or Omnicell for several hours at work - embarssing.  I did nothing wrong no punitive action was taken after the investigation was complete.  Now a few on the unit are talking since I returned what does the hospital do for a tarnished reputation because a nurse had a personal beef with me? I know exactly who she is Ann’s she won’t look or speak to me! She better make sure her practice is perfect as I’ll be really watching her now! And I’ll be writing her up for anything at all I don’t like.  It’s disgusting that someone has the nerve to do this to another coworker.  I’ve undergone tremendous stress, lost sleep I never deserved this I’m a good nurse!

[JKL33]

12 minutes ago, nurse_elle1956 said:

And I’ll be writing her up for anything at all I don’t like.

Don't go there. What a terrible way to spend your time and emotional energy! Surely you are better than that.

Don't let her nefarious behavior define you. Let her live her miserable life while you go your separate way since you are hopefully not bound by the serious problems she has. Go be your best self.

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

2 hours ago, JKL33 said:

Don't go there. What a terrible way to spend your time and emotional energy! Surely you are better than that.

Don’t do anything immature or petty like watching for any little errors in her practice; this way lies madness. Don’t forget that she is now known to have made a false accusation (a big mistake in itself right there) and is probably scared stiff that they’ll be watching her all the time. And perhaps they are.
Hold your head high and live your life. This will pass. 

[nurse_elle1956]

Thank you

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Thank you for your followup. Did you have a union rep with you?

Agree 100% with JKL33 and Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN   Do no reporting of "little errors".  Significant issue should be addressed with charge nurse only. As a prior Manager, my eyes would be on ACCUSSERS practice going forward.     Let YOUR practice shine.  Staff will respect you more this way. 

Best wishes moving forward in your career.

[amoLucia]

nurse_elle - TY for the comeback. Was very glad to see that things worked out for you. Like others have said, be the professional and avoid the retaliatory tit-for-tat behaviors. (Altho they do feel good!) And you don't want to risk further activities like a flat tire or key-scratched cardoor.

[CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN]

2 hours ago, nurse_elle1956 said:

Thank you

I'm so glad for you. As others have posted, don't let her live rent free in your head.

 

That having been said ? I'd actually act normal/fairly non-committal friendly like. 

 

It'll make.her.crazy wondering what you are up to.

[nurse_elle1956]

Thank you everyone you made me laugh

[cameron5575, BSN, RN]

2 hours ago, CharleeFoxtrot said:

That having been said ? I'd actually act normal/fairly non-committal friendly like. 

 

It'll make.her.crazy wondering what you are up to.

Not to beat this into the ground as I know the point has already been made by multiple people but, yes, I totally support this 100%

Often times, the absolute best way to get back at petty and conniving people who did you dirty is to rise above them and show kindness instead of stooping to their level. This may be difficult initially but the pay off is huge. Either they'll feel tremendous guilt and actually make an effort to better themselves (win for them, win for you) or they'll have to face the crippling humiliation of letting people see how they treat poorly such a kind person with no good reason (win for your reputation).

Whatever the outcome is, you'll come out on top no matter what. And the piece de resistance is that you won't have to waste your emotional energy on hating them (as they are clearly doing with you).

Best wishes!