overheard a CNA badly verbally abusing an elderly patient

Specialties Geriatric

Published

As The Charge Nurse in a facility, where I was passing meds in the hall, and overheard a CNA badly verbally abusing an elderly patient, there was another witness also. TY cyndi_1985

I am sorry, I put down I was supporting 23 kids,, no I am so upset, I am supporting 3 kids. I really need advice though, I just don't know what to do, I was clearly set up, I was doing my job, and was fired. Please if someone could help, I need to work, and as I said am I going to get a job? Am I going to be black balled for reporting abuse? I am so sick over this. How could they get away with it?

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I am sorry, I put down I was supporting 23 kids,, no I am so upset, I am supporting 3 kids. I really need advice though, I just don't know what to do, I was clearly set up, I was doing my job, and was fired. Please if someone could help, I need to work, and as I said am I going to get a job? Am I going to be black balled for reporting abuse? I am so sick over this. How could they get away with it?

lawyer up, if you have malpractice ins-contact them ASAP....depending on what the lawyer says, contact "the state"....if the DON will admit to the info being from the CNA, you would have grounds for a suit, libel or defamation(sp) something along those lines...... good luck

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I don't carry though, I only carried that when I was doing Private Duty care. I don't know what to do because I have been so humiliated I would not want that job back anyway, but I did think the labor board or someone could do something, should I call an attorney? I know those 2 CNA's had to have said something very bad about me,, I never ever was still passing meds at midnight from 8pm meds, what a lie. It was the excuse the facility chose to use to fire me,, they knew I knew too much that was going on there, plus they knew they were wrong NOT terminating a CNA that abused a patient. Something to me sounds very fishy, I re checked every bit of paper work I ever did there before leaving, and took very good care of the residents, and was very professional. I am just so hurt to be accused of something I never did, and fired. TY for answering me.

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I don't carry Malpractice insurance though, I only carried that when I was doing Private Duty care. I don't know what to do because I have been so humiliated I would not want that job back anyway, but I did think the labor board or someone could do something, should I call an attorney? I know those 2 CNA's had to have said something very bad about me,, I never ever was still passing meds at midnight from 8pm meds, what a lie. It was the excuse the facility chose to use to fire me,, they knew I knew too much that was going on there, plus they knew they were wrong NOT terminating a CNA that abused a patient. Something to me sounds very fishy, I re checked every bit of paper work I ever did there before leaving, and took very good care of the residents, and was very professional. I am just so hurt to be accused of something I never did, and fired. TY for answering me.

you now have come across one of the reasons to carry it! yes, try to find an attorney,,,also file for unemployment....sometimes when they have to offer proof of your misdeed....they cant.....good luck

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What's confusing is that there are two rather similar incidents, both associated with abuse, that are being discussed on this thread. The OP was Cyndi_1985, who reported verbal abuse immediately to her ADON and is frustrated because her facility has a reputation for not dealing appropriately with CNAs who have done something wrong. She reported the incident right away to her ADON and was told to send the CNA home immediately. The problem was that the CNA apparently was only suspended, not fired, and has a history not only of verbal abuse, but also of other actions that have put residents at harm.

The second poster to discuss abuse was Chanta2, who witnessed possible sexual abuse and was terminated because she did not report the incident to her DON as soon as it occurred. She posted that she did not report the abuse to the DON until 10 PM that evening (the incident occurred at 4 AM.) She stated that her termination was only "good" for a year and that as soon as she was eligible for rehire she was planning to return to the facility. Something doesn't seem right about that---I can understand someone being written up or even suspended for waiting to report abuse but termination? She did report the abuse (albeit 18 hours after it happened.) I don't know; it just sounds rather harsh to me.

I agree with other posters that abuse of a vulnerable adult is heinous and should be reported ASAP to a shift manager, the DON, the social worker, ombudsman or the local law enforcement agency. No one among us would want anything like this to happen to someone we loved. On the other hand, how many nurses wait days or even weeks before reporting abuse? How many look away, never report anything and pretend the abuse never happened? How many nurses are reluctant to report abuse because they fear the alleged perpetrators will not be appropriately disciplined or that they themselves will end up being punished? It's not right but unfortunately, sometimes it's reality.

I tried to E mail you but I can't. TY so much for the advise. I am kind of just in shock today,, I would like to talk to you. I think I can't E mail you because I am not a premium member. IDK, but it just didn't work, and right now without a job I can't pay to be a premium member,, I am giving you my E mail address, so Please E mail me, I don't care who sees it, I would like to talk to another Nurse that is concerned for me. I Thank you so much. here is my E mail,, oI will E mail you back, >>> [email protected]. Thanks again!
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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Really sorry this happened to you, Cyndi_1985. That place is corrupt from the top down, it sounds like. Again, thoughts, prayers all I have to offer. You need to really reach out to supportive friends, family, church, at this time whatever you decide to do.

((((cyndi))))

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Thank you so much, and God bless You:)

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Specializes in this and that.

cindi...same boat as you....fired for nothing in nursing home....see my post on cold blooded administration.....3 weeks after incident and no job.....called lawyer and decided not to pursue case because he wants money...how can i pay when i have no job?

right now, i am hanging on to dear life......been a hospital nurse x 16 years....never realized nursing home is this bad......sending you pm...

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Oh lord,,, I feel so bad for you also. I am so sorry. Us Nurses seem to go through way too much, I never knew after being a Nurse since 1985 that it has got this bad. I never ever went through this,, I thought it was the state I live in now. Maybe not! You will find a job,, hang in there, God bless you, and if you want to E-mail me,, do so anytime, >>> [email protected]. I will pray for you.

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Cyndi

So sorry to hear this has happened to you. You will be able to use the PM function once you have posted 15 times. I am sending you a PM.

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Anyone that wants to E mail me Please feel fee to do so,, I don't care. I can not E mail anyone from this site from a private message, and I think it is because I am not a Premium member. So, anyway,, I have received several Private messages that I can't respond to,, feel free anytime to e mail me @ [email protected],, and God Bless all of you who have been so supportive to me. Cyndi~~

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Specializes in Home births.

Sorry, this has come down to you losing your job. I am sending you a PM.

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