FIRED ON MY DAY OFF!!!!!! I thought this type of thing only happened in the movies.

[deenlpn]

I was an 11-7 nurse on a rehab unit of 28-30 who were all walkie-talkie alert and oriented resident who could TALK, with only 1-2 total care residents that would eventually be moved to another unit, in a long term care facility.I was the only miniority nurse out of 10-20 who worked 1st,2nd,3rd,or weekend shifts,in entire facility. I was called at home from the A.D.O.N. who asked me to stay home due to a investigation that was needing to be done and wouldnt give anymore information. I was later called in and told that the one resident on the unit voiced that his trach care wasn't done on 'multiple' occassions, and he specfically named me as the one who didn't do his trach care on 'multiple' occassions. The resident that allegedly voiced this complaint was diagnosed with C.V.A. with aphasia, had leftsided head trauma, a trach with oxygen, fragile diabetic and tube feeder. The resident was alert and oriented at times, but could only communicate by nodding his head up or down, or pointing. Since admission this resident had never spoke one word, and all of a sudden he is"addiment that I (the nurse) didn't care for him on 'multiple' occassions. This was the third attempt for this A.D.O.N. to try to get me terminated. As soon as the D.O.N, who actually hired me, worked with me, and knew me well from all the residents compliments, was discharged the day before I get suspened. Now I utilized there open door policy 3 times explaining to the A.D.O.N and the Exeutive director, that; 1st) I was not the nurse on duty the morning of the complaint or the night prior.2nd) This resident couldn't talk and there were no aides, other nurses, or any other staff member questioned to validate her claim. 3rd) The nurse who did work the night of the complaint worked the same night the alleged complaint was made. Telling me that this resident was never in any danger. I pleaded with the adminitrator, and human resources to do another investigation. Of coorifice this fell on deaf ears and i was terminated. So I file for unemployment, right exactly what happened to me and got approved for unemployment. Guess who appeals that decision, yes the facility. So seizing the opportunity I gathered 13 witnesses who have worked with me on 'multiple' occassions, Subpoened a endless list of documentation, and the investigation and its findings for a appeal hearing. The investigation had no names on it, involved the respiratory therapist that had no knowledge of the claim, and was UNSIGNED! The appeal hearing consisted of the A.D.O.N who made the false claim and her co-conspiriter, the Executive Director as her witness. As the Hearing was getting started her witness backs out, interrupting the referee and saying,"no, no,no, I'll just be an observer". This is all recorded on tape, The A.D.O.N. stated she had no knowledge of the resident not being able to talk, and when I cross-examined her about his diagnosed she states "I'm not aware of that", WHAT! Needless to say, I won that appeal.I was later targeted by the same facility for a 2nd appeal,and won that one as well proving that I was discharged for "reasons other than work connected misconduct". I am asking for any advice that anyone may have to give to clear my name, my reputation, and to fight for my rights as a excellent nurse.

[FancypantsRN]

Holy crap, thank god you are out of there! Others will prob have some good advice, I just wanted to say that.

[RNlvn]

Wow!! from my understanding the unemployment board made the decision on your favor x2. I think you may have grounds to go to the Feds= the labor board, complain to the BON about the DON, and if you think its to that point lawsuit against the company for allowing this to happen.

[79Tango]

Needless to say, I won that appeal.I was later targeted by the same facility for a 2nd appeal,and won that one as well proving that I was discharged for "reasons other than work connected misconduct". I am asking for any advice that anyone may have to give to clear my name, my reputation, and to fight for my rights as a excellent nurse.

It's hard to say without knowing what you won on appeal... Your job back or unemployment? Was this with the labor board or the BON?

[keepleaRNing]

Deen, those people done you a favor by firing you...that facility sounds like an unfair one. I have worked in about 5 different rehab/nursing homes, and, I have to tell ya...I can't stand them (facilities). Too much work, too many patients assigned to one nurse (my last 11p-7a job gave me 50 pts each night, and on occasion, 85 pts to care for!), and hardly enough CENAs @ times. But, it is always rewarding to help another human being, regardless. Anyway, you sound like someone with a spine, and you need that in nursing. As far as clearing your name: when you do look for another job, they will most likely inquire about your reason for separation. Be honest about what happened, but short and sweet, something like, "I was fired due to some untrue things said which supposedly came from a non-verbal resident, but there were witnesses, and I won my appeal for my unemployment". Of course they will ask what happened. Keep that short and sweet, do NOT slaughter your former bosses in front of new potential ones. Remain positive and enthusiastic about nursing, and last but not least, exuberate confidence @ future interviews....You will be fine!

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

Don't raise the race card unless you're willing to state they fired you because you're a minority. If you want to go back to work there get a lawyer. If not move on.

[keepleaRNing]

Deen, those people done you a favor by firing you...that facility sounds like an unfair one. I have worked in about 5 different rehab/nursing homes, and, I have to tell ya...I can't stand them (facilities). Too much work, too many patients assigned to one nurse (my last 11p-7a job gave me 50 pts each night, and on occasion, 85 pts to care for!), and hardly enough CENAs @ times. But, it is always rewarding to help another human being, regardless. Anyway, you sound like someone with a spine, and you need that in nursing. As far as clearing your name: when you do look for another job, they will most likely inquire about your reason for separation. Be honest about what happened, but short and sweet, something like, "I was fired due to some untrue things said which supposedly came from a non-verbal resident, but there were witnesses, and I won my appeal for my unemployment". Of course they will ask what happened. Keep that short and sweet, do NOT slaughter your former bosses in front of new potential ones. Remain positive and enthusiastic about nursing, and last but not least, exuberate confidence @ future interviews....You will be fine![Of course, they did not do you a favor by firing you unjustly...but you can move forward now]

[caliotter3]

You need to move on. You don't have time to deal with these people any longer. Should you find difficulties in getting employment because of this, seek advice from an employment attorney.

[Katie5]

It may hurt now, consider it temporary. You WILL be better for it, in the long run:)

Trust God.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

This is why I wish I worked in a state that cannot just fire you for any reason. We work under the "you can quit at any time, and we can fire you at any time" motto, without any reason given. Also, we don't have unions here. It is sad that nursing is such a disrespected profession. I agree with the posters that you should just move on, and thank your lucky stars you are out of there.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Short and sweet actually won't cut it.

The OP will have to elaborate. Short and sweet is almost like you are hiding things. I don't mean to elaborate to the extent she has here, but elaborate she must or all sorts of things will be assumed negatively about the OP. Lay it on the line. Remember plenty of applicants out there, and you need to be sure they know you had a really good reason not to still be working there whether you were forced out, or decided to leave. Either they will understand and hear you out, or not want anything to do with you due to the fact that they will always have other applicants and you have a "mystery" situation that you did not elaborate on. If they don't want to understand, they will have already stopped listening when you told them you were fired. I'd have the paperwork with me in an interview too, in case.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

Don't know if this is really true everywhere or not, but my facility can only say that you were employed there from such-and-such date, and yes/no to question would they re-hire you. They cannot give any other specifics. Since you still have your license, I don't think I would mention it or go into detail about it, but that is just my personal opinion. You should be just as qualified as the next applicant.