The right thing

[garciadiego]

I have a friend at work who will be fired, she has alot of reports, not all incident reports, against her, unless another nurse can back up her claims that the Hospital, some of the staff, are out to get her, there a double standard, which is true, she is being picked on, it's also true that she has made mistakes but mistakes are supposed to be in a plan of correction and if she couldn't correct them then they should let her go.... anyway she wants me to testify to the union that she is being singled out, at first I said I would, if the union would keep my name anonymous but then I started to question if the union would really keep my name out of it, there could be a leak, I fear if I'm found I could be made to suffer by the hospital. What would you do? Thanks

[TriciaJ, RN]

It's admirable that you want to go to bat for your friend. I would caution you not to stick your neck out unless you have witnessed blatant incidents of her being unfairly singled out. I have learned the hard way not to take people's word for anything. They usually cause their own problems and if they're also victims of unfairness, it can be hard for a third party observer to sort out what's what.

If you decide to speak with the union, be very clear and honest about what you have personally observed, vs what your friend told you. The union's job is to make sure the contract is followed and people are treated equally. They cannot save anyone from problems they bring on themselves.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I have a friend at work who will be fired, she has alot of reports, not all incident reports, against her, unless another nurse can back up her claims that the Hospital, some of the staff, are out to get her, there a double standard, which is true, she is being picked on, it's also true that she has made mistakes but mistakes are supposed to be in a plan of correction and if she couldn't correct them then they should let her go.... anyway she wants me to testify to the union that she is being singled out, at first I said I would, if the union would keep my name anonymous but then I started to question if the union would really keep my name out of it, there could be a leak, I fear if I'm found I could be made to suffer by the hospital. What would you do? Thanks

The right thing would be to tell the truth. Is the truth that she's being picked on for no good reason? Or is the truth that she's being watched because she's been making mistakes? We cannot advise you on that.

The right thing is also to do what you said you would do.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

I agree with others. If you testify, it has be to 100% factual, observed information. You could say "Nurse Sally [another nurse] did they same thing, and she and she never got in trouble, but [your friend, insert name here] did!" How do you know what happened to Sally? How do you know that she is not on the disciplinary pathway? Perhaps Sally feels that she is one who is being picked on because she does not think your friend is getting in trouble.

I don't know you, I don't know your friend, I don't know the unit/hospital. I don't know you friend's supposed mistakes and I don't know the culture of your workplace. I am neither going to defend nor attack your friend; however, you are only getting her side of the story. Before you risk you future, just be aware you are swimming in potential dangerous waters.

[melfl]

Sometimes you have to cover your own self because Nursing is so cutthroat in some areas. What you have to keep in mind is: why are you a nurse? What commitments did you make? What did you swear to do and what values did you swear to uphold? Ask yourself those questions and ask her those questions. If she is upholding her due diligence to the patients, help her. If she is not then do your due diligence.