Falsely acused of Resident abuse

[Pattty3]

I am so sad. I was at work last Saturday helping a lady who is suffering a UTI. I changed her brief and her nightgown. She is very picky about her bed. When I was done changing her she asked to fix her bed. I did fix her bedding three times. she looked mad at me because her bed did not look exactly she liked. I told her sorry but I let her know that I was going to take the dirty clothes and come back.

I went to take the dirty lines to the laundry room and when I came back she said to me that some one fixed her bed *****. Then she added that she did don't know how I passed school and I wa dumb and stupid. I did not get mad but sad so I said to her sorry. She said to me not to touch her again. I said ok and I left the room. I asked to other CNA to take care of her. I reported her behavior to charge nurse. The next day I came back to work I went to her room to say good afternoon because I thought she was over the incident from the previous day. She yelled at me. I left and I asked to other CNA to see if he could exhange residents. I reported her behavior again the charge nurse. When the CNA went to her room she acused me of grabbing her neck the previous day. So now I was sent home while they are going to do an investigation. Charge nurse and my coworkers said not worry about because they know I did nothing wrong. The Register nurse says sorry but they needed to follow protocols and he could not fire me because they need to do all the paper work.

Now I am very sad and sorry. I have being CNA for over 15 years I never got acused of resident abuse.

If my name gets clear out I am going to quit that place and don't apply for the nursing program. I was on my last class to apply but right right now this incident make wonder about this profession.

I am so sorry I am very worry and disappointed .

My life is over right now. I am useless.

[brownbook]

Do not, in fact never, make important decisions when your angry, scared, upset, etc.

If it happened exactly as you report, and I believe you, please don't quit and not apply to the nursing program. I assume your facility has very specific protocol they HAVE to follow when a resident accuses a health care provider of hurting them.

Hopefully this is just protocol they HAVE to follow and you will be found "innocent". Don't make important life changing decisions when you're feeling angry, sad, upset. Let this issue get settled before you change plans that will affect your whole life.

Call your manager or charge nurse. Ask to meet with them. Try to stay calm and ask what happens next. Let them know you are very concerned about these charges need to clear your name and reputation so you can move forward in your nursing career.

I know I'm repeating myself but I believe it's important you hear and understand my advice.

[Pattty3]

Thanks. Yesterday I got a phone call telling me that I was clear out and I could back to work but they still wanted to talk to me today.

[brownbook]

Great. I hope it goes well. I find it hard to imagine what they want or expect from this meeting since you have been cleared and are going back to work? Stay positive and calm.

Let us know what happens.

[peachtreednurse, RN]

Her reaction seems awfully hostile for nothing occurring between the two of you...May you have sent negative signals, via non-verbal communication, such as rolling your eyes, shrugging your shoulders, turning your back on her while she was still speaking, grabbing and balling linen roughly and abruptly?

Also, you state that she told you "NOT" to "TOUCH HER AGAIN" not, just "get out and don't come back, you wouldn't even make my bed!" which stands out a bit from your account.

No one knows but you and she what actually happened but you need to be careful in the future, because actions often do speak louder than words, and what you may not imagine as an affront to a person can cost you.