experience with a hostile work environment

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Curious if anyone has experience with a hostile work environment case? 😓

Specializes in IDD, SUD.

I know, I'm very naive too but old and I thought wise enough to know better. I want to see the best in people but I really can't expect, not and survive.  Sometimes I do things that show I've lost my mind is no defense. You can't loose something you've never had.

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Specializes in Mental health.

Happened to me too. After I left a job the nurse taking my job said I stole a bottle of narcotics. I didn't know anything about it until 6 months later when the DEA called  me in for an interview. After being bullied by them during the interview, they finally believed me. I don't know what happened at the clinic afterwards. But I'll never go to another DEA interview  without a lawyer. I would document and speak to a lawyer. You will be a whistle blower and your entitled to unemployment, and compensation for harassment and PTSD. I just don't understand how some people can get away with their behavior towards others.  Most lawyers work probono in these cases. Good luck! I absolutely hated the experience at the clinic working with such unhealthy staff. The patients were wonderful though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Specializes in IDD, SUD.

Patients were best part of the job too. Some just fell on hard times, some started out being treated for legitimate pain issues, others knew what they were taking was illicit, just didn't know what it was they were taking once real heroin dried up. But they were trying to atone for their behavior.

Not so with nursing staff. They were actively breaking the law, not so good at it, but good enough. First time I was off one pill, I found it under the others nurses chair. The next time it was there, just in the wrong bottle. The order was the last straw. I feel management knew I didn't write it, but like me would have a hard time proving it. I caught it before the patient was dosed. It was written for twice what the providers would have written it for, if at all. It was done with intent. It's sad. It's sick. It's why I left.

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Specializes in ICU, trauma.
JAJ said:

 

Instead I found them trying to manipulate my pill counts to look like med errors, but the final thing was entering in a fake verbal order under my name (must have seen my password as I logged in on) that raised a clients dose significantly.
………………...

I feel like reporting them to the BON in my state, but can't prove who did what, or that I clearly didn't. Anyone ever find this kind of behavior on a new job? I was there about 2 months.

These behaviors are beyond "hostile" — they are a danger to patients.  While they are busy trying to get you in trouble they're not performing their duties..... but more importantly an incorrect dose of something COULD KILL THE PATIENT!!  

Plus anyone who would go out of their way to cause legal problems for a colleague lacks the judgment necessary to work with the public.  

I would probably make a report and let them worry about investigating.  The worst thing that could happen is they can't prove anything either... but keep in mind if they were that bold with you, they've probably done stuff before.  Nobody jumps directly from zero to making false orders.  

And if they are taught that they can commit these egregiously dangerous behaviors, they will do them again. 

They need to be stopped.  

 

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Specializes in Nursing.
JAJ said:

Instead I found them trying to manipulate my pill counts to look like med errors, but the final thing was entering in a fake verbal order under my name (must have seen my password as I logged in on) that raised a clients dose significantly.

They must be very desperate to get you in trouble. I hope they have ways to catch people committing this illegal activity. 
 

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
Wuzzie said:

That's when I learned about the legalities surrounding hostile work environments. 

That's so disappointing. Having zero recourse is frustrating. Like being bullied in the 5th grade all over again. With much higher stakes. 😖

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I was going to try and edit my post, to add an update, looks like that option is gone. 

Today I was offered, and accepted, a new job. I will not have to worry about a toxic work environment much longer. It's a huge relief. Very bittersweet as I LOVE my job. I have been there 11 1/2 years. Part of a lot of councils and committees and have forged relationships with wonderful people. It took a liar and a manager that wanted to believe the liar to put me in a position that I could lose my job. Can't afford to be "ineligible for rehire" at 60. 

Good news is that I will be driving 16 mi instead of 48 mi. And I am getting and almost $6/hr raise. Old enough to not be afraid of change. Grateful for being given a chance at my age (I really am a young 60-noone every believes I am the age I am 😁) One thing that sucks is that I am going to have to relearn how to place and IV!  We have an IV team at old job.

I assume I can just write a simple resignation letter with an effective date, right?

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Specializes in IDD, SUD.

Mine was short and to the point. I was giving them notice this day of this year, blah, blah, blah. I told the administration what was going on. They told me before I started I would be working with 3 nurses that were a tight knit group. Just didn't realize just how tight they were wound, or the extent they would go to, to keep outsiders out.

They were gay females, I'm a straight male. I had no issues with the fact they were gay. The owners manual for life says don't judge. I don't know if they saw me as a threat to the balance there, or I looked like someone who wronged them, you never know the motivations are usually. Lying about me I took as a given walking in there, I hoped I could show them I was harmless, no matter what bias they may have faced from others. Nope, they had me on an exit plan the first day I walked in there.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
JAJ said:

Nope, they had me on an exit plan the first day I walked in there.

I'm sorry. I didn't even tell them. I have told some compliance people my issues. We'll see if they ask for an exit interview,

Funny that people I reached out to for help over a month ago, are just now catching up on emails and voicemails. I got to tell them that because of the no responses, I applied for a new job, an offer was made and I accepted. It took 2 weeks LOL. The new hosp really wants me. I am still disappointed that they think so little of loyal employees. 

Good luck in a new adventure. 

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Specializes in Critical Care, ER and Administration.
mmc51264 said:

I'm so sorry. I do have an upper management person with an axe to grind against me. I think I am just going to leave if I can get a job. I can't afford to stop working yet. I need 5 1/2 years for PSLF and I would love to try and work until I am 67 (just turned 60) for Medicare and SS benefits. 

I retired when I was 60. It was challenging. I qualified for long term disability and SS Disability. I did COBRA for 18 months and the ACA until Medicare started at 24 months after my SS Disability started. I had been saving and loading my 401k in preparation. My health had been an issue.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
JohnHood said:

I retired when I was 60. It was challenging.

If I could retire right now, I would. I might have qualified for disability but I can't take the chance. I also need to finish 4 1/2 years of my PSLF program (I am a late in life nurse, and had paid off my first loans) So excited that I found a new job in less than a week. It's hard to find experienced nurses willing to move (I think?) I am moving to a unit at another hospital that is all ortho-very little trauma so my ortho certification will be put to use more than now (although I like what I have learned about caring for trauma pts). They are so happy to have me, they are giving me $5.50 more per hour!  

I will be traveling 16 mi instead of 48 mi, a raise, less gas, and I won't have to pay for parking (paying $100/month where I am). I feel very lucky and I am very grateful. 

Best of luck in retirement! Hope you can enjoy yourself some. 😊

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Specializes in Critical Care, ER and Administration.
mmc51264 said:

I'm so sorry. I do have an upper management person with an axe to grind against me. I think I am just going to leave if I can get a job. I can't afford to stop working yet. I need 5 1/2 years for PSLF and I would love to try and work until I am 67 (just turned 60) for Medicare and SS benefits. 

Good luck to you. I retired at 60. It was challenging, but I was able to get Long Term Disability until my SS Disability could kick in. Then my challenge was insurance. I had to do COBRA for 18 months and ACA insurance for the last six months. Luckily I had built up a lot of savings and had 401 Ks I could draw from. That was 2018. It has worked out well and I highly recommend retirement.

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