My life is over!

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Last Friday night I worked 10pm-6am and was called in to work at noon. The weekend manager said it was an emergency that she had to talk with me. I go in and they tell me that a resident told day shift that I had been verbally abusive with her roommate. I comply with the facility totally. State comes in this week for annual survey this week and they interview the roommate and they feel she is uncomfortable with me and according to the DON they told her that they wanted me out of the facility and substantiated the claim of abuse. I am terminated today. The DON told me that in 10 working days State will have decided whether or not this will go on my abuse record and to call her. I never verbally abused anyone, the person I was working with was in the room the whole time and the resident had no specific complaint just that everybody treats her bad which isn't a new complaint. I didn't get to speak to state or adult protective services, the DON told me that she "spoke to them on my behalf". The DON told me that she had fought with them and told them that I was overworked and it was her fault and she said she begged them to keep it off of my record. She said that the State people had my phone number and would be calling me but its a little late now. I have no job, my life goals and aspirations are on the rocks and I feel like someone has kicked me in the ribs.

Don't believe the DON speaking on your behalf.

Nurses, and particularly managers, will always point the finger away from themselves at all costs.

No DON would EVER say that it was his/her fault and that you were overworked and that they are to blame for it.

He/she is blowing smoke, nurses claim that they want to stick together, yet they scatter like cockroaches when a patient is killed, injured, or abuse accusations start flying.

You will find out who your true friends are when the state or board gets involved.

You need a lawyer. Your facility will stick it to you in the blink of an eye with no conscience.

The patient will always be the victim regardless (as will the facility) and you will always be the perpetrator.

Specializes in ER, Peds, Charge RN.

I am so very sorry to hear all of this! Please: document, document, document. Every phone conversation, everything that happened in person, and have any witnesses do the same. It is strange that the DON terminated you so suddenly. Did you have any previous disciplinary history?

You also may want to retain a lawyer and call your company (if you have insurance). This is a very substantial claim, and you could be sued or lose your license. If the claim cannot be proven, then you may have a suit for wrongful termination as well.

Also, do not trust anyone, even the DON. She may have said she called someone, but she could be bluffing.

Don't let this get you down. You will find other employment, and I hope they treat you much better than this one has.

Please keep us updated!

Specializes in Neuro, Critical Care.

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Specializes in Neuro, Critical Care.

im so sorry this happened to you!!! how awful...i dont really have much advice but i know its always nice to hear some kind words!!! dont worry your life isnt over! fight it every step of the way and dont give up!!! keep at it until its resolved! if you want to talk about anything (doesnt have to be nursing related!) please feel free to email me: [email protected]!! plse keep up posted!

Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Resource Pool, Dialysis.

Like everyone else, I'm sorry this happened to you. I worked with an excellent aide who had the same thing happen to her. A patient accused her of making derogatory comments about him under her breath. The hospital basically sided with him and she was fired. It's a really long story, but the short version is that she did make a comment (it was VERY well deserved) but he added his own version and that was that.

That is amazing that you didn't get to speak on your own behalf! If you have the resources, and if they do put something on your record, you should try to do something about getting it removed.

Good luck! It'll work out.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope it all works out in the end. Best of luck.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Chad - I have nothing to add, except to wish you the best of luck. Have you tried contacting your state regulatory agency yourself?

Specializes in Utilization Management.

Chad, I believe you and I hope this mess can get worked out soon. I also think it would be a good idea to get a lawyer, if possible. The words "slander" and "defamation of character" come to mind quite easily in this situation.

This is exactly the kind of situation--your facility has railroaded you--in which a malpractice lawyer would be helpful. JMO.

I know of a nurse who had a problem like this and eventually she was cleared and got a much better job. As her support person through her ordeal, I was amazed at how well she held up throughout the ordeal. She told me that she started counseling almost as soon as she was fired because she was so devastated by it all. So I also recommend that.

:icon_hug: I only know you from your posts here, Chad, but if it's any comfort, I'm praying for you. I hope this situation has a speedy outcome and that you are offered a much better job when all is said and done.

Chad- one word- Lawyer

I'll keep you in my prayers

Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

Ditto to above. First of all, I am sorry this is happening to you. From previous posts, you sound like an awesome employee.

We had a chance to watch our state BON disciplinary meeting the other day, where folks who had went against the NPA were brought forth (if their case had not already settled) and tried. I would suggest a lawyer (the woman who had a lawyer had her case go much better than another). Also, all of them had someone from the state talk to them directly! Once a claim is filed, someone reviews it to see if it needs to be pursued. The investigator interviews you, your facility, the client. Check out your board of nursing website. Kentucky BON Nursing Laws http://kbn.ky.gov/laws/

KY Discipline and Investigation section: http://kbn.ky.gov/conprotect/investdiscp/

Let us know how it goes. -Andrea

Chad

Just wanted to let you know how sorry I am as well.

Happy thoughts and prayers coming your way.

I agree whole-heartedly with Angie about counseling. Although it wasn't nursing (so I promise not to go into as much detail as I could), I was a store manager, working 80 hours a week for 40 hours pay to try and clean the store up from the LAST manager, and bring it to where it needed to be. He was constantly trying to get me to relocate so he could put one of his friends in my position at my store. When I got another job offer, he changed his tune and begged me to stay. I rejected the job offer, and two weeks later, I was fired (during double inventory--after store closed, they clocked out, i locked up and took them next door to get something to eat before we started. nothing wrong with that. i had done it before, as he had done with me before opening. he claimed it was "leaving the store unattended." his friend is now in my place, and two of the three employees i was with were promoted immediately).

Okay, the bottom point is, I did not leave my house for between 6-9 months. I would not take phone calls. I would not see my family unless I had to. I did not pay bills. I wish I had considered counseling.

I can only imagine how it is for you, because you have more than a job history at stake. But I've seen your posts and know how much you love what you do. Use that energy to push forward and fight. Good luck and keep us posted.:balloons:

Edit: Oh, and every raincloud DOES have a silver lining. I am now back in school, finishing my first degree and then going for accelerated. I would have NEVER done that without being fired. This could be your opportunity for moving on to a work enviromnent that threats you like they should. Okay, enough with the Mary Poppins, I know! :p

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