I have had a personal experience that has my life in a whirlwind right now. This is the story.
I am a charge nurse on a med/surg tele floor. I was sitting at the desk when the phone rang and it was security.
The security guard asked me if I seen two gentlemen get off the elevator with one wearing a baseball cap. I told him yes they just past the desk and went into a patient's room.
The security officer started to tell me why he was asking, when the gentleman with the baseball cap came up and stood in front of me.
After about a minute, I told the security guard to hold on. I asked the gentleman what I can do for him. He proceeded to tell me he is a family member of the patient in room xxxx. He wanted to know why his family member didn't have an IV in when one should of been put in this morning. The first thing I did was say OK and then asked him where his visitor's badge is. He pulled it out of his pant's pocket. He said it is right here. I told him he had to keep it where we can see it for the safety of our patients. He said well, what if I put it right here. I told him that is fine now, but you will have to go to security to get a new one. I said this because the gentleman said it doesn't stick any more.
He then asked me my name, which I gave my first name only. He then asked me why I was being so cort with him. I told him I wasn't. He then proceeded to take his phone out to take a picture of my badge. I told him he was not permitted to do that because it is against the law. He said no it isn't.
At that time the security guard said I am on my way and hung up. I told the gentleman yes it is, He said OK and I will be in the patient's room waiting for your answer.
I looked up the information in the chart and found out there was an IV placed around 1628. By the time I looked up this information and got up from my desk, the security guards and nursing supervisor was coming around the corner along with the family coming out of the patient's room.
One family member stopped right in the doorway and I said excuse me. I went into the room to verify the patient still had the IV in. As I walked in I said to the patient (who has dementia), hi sweetheart I am here to check where your IV is. I turned on the light, pulled the covers down. I noticed it wasn't in the left arm, and when I turned the right arm to look, the patient said ow.
The one family member that was in the doorway says, you don't have to be so rough. I turned and looked and asked the nursing supervisor, who was in the room at this time, if that was rough.
The nursing supervisor said let's take this outside. The family and the nursing supervisor went into the hallway and they unleashed on him about me. I went to the desk to finish my work because I also had a patient and was a resource for the other side of the floor.
The family said I should be fired. I only had this one intervention with the patient. The family went to administration about this and I have been suspended for a week now. I am waiting for their decision on the outcome of the investigation.
Since this has happened, I have not been able to eat, my home life is a mess, and I have lost 10 pounds. I have put applications into other hospitals. I really love being a charge nurse and working at this hospital, but I am afraid of where this might go.
I think you did what your intuition would tell you to do. I'm not sure what was the reason that the security was asking, you didn't mention that. Would it been a serious security problem, I would have been reacted the same way, I would be worried too, but I would be more vigilante, and not mess around with the "suspect". I didn't expect the hospital to react that way though.
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
stacydye222 said:
I have been on suspension without pay until investigation is over. It has been 2 weeks.
I am so sorry you are going through this. While perhaps other posters have valid points, my concern is that your employer absolutely did not have your back. Unless you have had similar complaints against you in the past (and I mean a pattern, not random nut jobs here and there), then your employer over-reacted. I suggest you quietly look for other work and consider your options.
In most parts of the country, there is a severe nursing shortage. You should have no trouble finding better employment
I have been on suspension without pay until investigation is over. It has been 2 weeks.
I'm really sorry to hear that and frankly very surprised. I've witnessed at lot worse with a lot less consequence. The suspension seems like a wild over reaction. It may be best to consider your options (new job) regardless of what your current employer decides to do next.
Best if luck.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
I wouldn't want to work for that employer. Having said that, this is a good time for self reflection. You can't change any of the circumstances involved in this described situation. You can only reflect on your role, your words, your demeanor, your attitude and your interactions with the intention of improvement.
Even the way you described the event made you seem a bit salty at the bedside.
Update for everyone. I was let go. I start my new job on the 2nd. What a Christmas this is going to be. Thanks everyone for being civil and kind. In a way, I am glad I am not longer employed by them.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
stacydye222 said:
Update for everyone. I was let go. I start my new job on the 2nd. What a Christmas this is going to be. Thanks everyone for being civil and kind. In a way, I am glad I am not longer employed by them.
Update for everyone. I was let go. I start my new job on the 2nd. What a Christmas this is going to be. Thanks everyone for being civil and kind. In a way, I am glad I am not longer employed by them.
It unless this was a public city, county or state owned facility it is illegal to take someones picture on private property without their explicit consent.
Update for everyone. I was let go. I start my new job on the 2nd. What a Christmas this is going to be. Thanks everyone for being civil and kind. In a way, I am glad I am not longer employed by them.
Yes. It's too bad that you have had to go through this but it's one of those times where it might be appropriate to think you'll be better off in the end. They sound crappy. Learn whatever there is to learn from this then put it behind you.
stacydye222
6 Posts
I have been on suspension without pay until investigation is over. It has been 2 weeks.