I currently work in Vermont and had a resident elope on my shift, I was at lunch and was not in the facility at the time of the incident.
Upon return, I was notified about what happened by my supervisor. The resident was already on 15 minute checks with a wandergaurd in place. This is not the first time that the resident has been successful in leaving the property.
A few hours later the Administrator was called and came into the facility to question people about the incident. I was also brought in for questioning. After I had sat down, the Administrator immediately starting what felt like attacking me and almost trying to pin the blame of the elopement on me stating that the resident must have left the facility at the same time as I and they were hiding so I could not see them. I obviously became defensive with these statements and actually waiting a moment when I left the facility to make sure that the doors had shut so I knew that they were secure. The administrator continues to tell me that I will end up losing my nursing license because of this incident if I do not "cooperate and work as a team with us (them)". I was not being uncooperative and was more fearful of losing my nursing license over something I literally had no control over. I did not cause harm, I checked to make sure my residents were safe before leaving for break, I notified my staff on the unit, and I also saw said resident on the unit as I was leaving it. I was also told that if I called out of work the following day because of the incident it would be suspicious of being guilty of causing the elopement. I have been a nurse for two years and have never had anything like this happen to me, I was and am still completely shaken up. Now, I am afraid to work in the facility for fear of retaliation or losing my nursing license.
Once the conversation was over the Administrator wrote down my statement, which I looked over, agreed, and signed. I made sure to get a copy for my records of the incident.
My question, has anything like this ever happened to someone? I feel like every time I've heard of an elopement situation the nurse on duty ends up getting fired or losing their nursing license over it. Also, if anyone has any information where I could find what Vermont's laws on something like this are that would be great. I have googled things but have only seen case studies or facility specific guidelines.
