Falsely accused of falsifying documentation: What should I do?

[Lorie Brown RN, MN, JD]

I was falsely accused of falsifying documentation at work. My employer conducted an internal investigation and concluded I falsified documents. In the investigation report it states things I supposedly admitted to. They wrote things I never said. They have terminated me, and they were also reporting me to the BON. I have been a nurse for 10 years. I have no previous disciplinary actions. Also no civil or criminal record. Nothing more than a speeding ticket or 2.

What should I do to refute this, and keep from losing my license?

Dear Falsely Accused,
I am sorry this is happening and I hear it all too frequently. The best advice is to hire an attorney. One that is experienced representing nurses before the Board. You can find one at TAANA.org. Your license is too important.

Hope this helps.

Lorie

[JKL33]

It is a shame that proving and recovering defamation/libel damages in cases where employers have just written down whatever they want to is not more feasible. It seems like it would be worth approaching from this angle in addition to the defensive angle, though.

[BlueBirdMentors, BSN, MSN, RN]

Unfortunately, this is happening all over the place. In Canada too. Nurses are being called into meetings and the managers summary of the meeting doesn't always reflect what actually been said. The only way I see that can make this better for nurses is to lobby for changes into the labor laws and allow the nurse/ union rep. to record or film the meetings. That would provide clear evidence to contradict the "misunderstandings" that the manager writes in the meeting summary. It will hold everybody more accountable.

[rn_patrick, NP]

Do you have malpractice insurance? If so contact them. I know with NSO part of the policy covers board representation. If you Google dealing with a claim from the BON everyone suggests NOT going it alone.