Drama and dangerous supervisors

[paddler]

I recently quit my Home Health job after only working for that particular company for 2 months. They just did not have enough work to keep me busy enough, and I ended up working 6-7 days a week at 1-3 visits a day. I needed a FULL TIME job that actually paid me full time. This one didn't and they knew that was the reason I quit. While I worked there, I had heard the supervisor gossip repeatedly about the nurse who quit when I came on board, the nurse I was replacing. How they would never hire her again even though she worked there for 8 years and was their prize employee (according to others), and she supposedly stole supplies from the company, left them in a lurch when she quit, etc. They supposedly black-listed her and accused her of patient abandonment because she quit. She even went so far as to accuse the former nurse of coming in on the weekend and stealing some things from her office! Come to find out they HAVE rehired her and she is working there again. Nonetheless, this topic is about my former drama obsessed supervisor and one little issue...

In my short 2 months I provided great care (I am experienced in HH) to their patients and one lady (a few, actually) was very sad to lose me. My last day seeing a certain patient she insisted on lending me a book to read. I kindly thanked her and told her no, I wasn't sure when I would be able to read it, when I would be back in town to return it, and she firmly insisted I borrow it and return it when I could. No due date. I obliged, and intended to return it in a few months, which I told her.

I got a call a couple of weeks ago from the office (I've been gone a while now), stating the patient called trying to get a hold of me and needed her book back. So I decided to take it back at the soonest opportunity (her house is a 58 mile round trip for me), and I did... just yesterday. But today, I got a call from the office stating if I did not return the book they would be reporting me to the nursing board. This is a small town and this supervisor has lived here all her life, and knows everybody. I fear I will never be able to get a job in this town besides the one I already landed because I am sure she at least "unofficially blacklisted" me. I will never report on a resume that I even worked there. I just don't trust her.

That being said, is borrowing a book (nominal value) from a patient who insisted on it, a violation of any kind? It was not a gift, afterall. Is this reportable to the Board of Nursing?

[AMN74]

I would think you have nothing to worry about. I doubt that it could cause you any problems with the BON, you returned the book. However, you may have problems getting another job if they "black list" you. I personally feel this issue is petty, and your agency should have NEVER got involved. Seems like the agency could better utilize their time caring for their patients. But if the patient did call in and complain, I can understand how they might be a bit pi$$y about it. If you are still being harassed after returning the book then maybe you should contact the patient and make sure she lets the agency know you did return her precious book.... Seems like a lot of drama!

[paddler]

I did call the patient to confirm she got the book. She was very pleasant and said she had someone else she wanted to lend it to. She said she hadn't called the office, merely mentioned it to the current nurse who is seeing her. I agree, my former supervisor should have better things to do! :)