Held Down and Forced to Take The FLu Shot

[Nurse_FF_EMT]

Allright guys, here is my problem:

My mom works as a CNA?CMA in a nursing home. The nursing home is forcing people to take flu shots this year. My mom has never taken a flu shot, she is just a strong believer in not taking it. She knows that I think this is a stupid attidute, but I also respect her right to say no to the shot.

After about a month of trying to bully people into taking thier flu shots with saying that people won't get their pay check, etc. After a couple of calls to the labor board that got fixed pretty fast.

So here is their new tactict: Call people into their office, physically hold them down, and give them the shot.

Of course my mom is terrified. My advice to her was this: As soon as one of the administrators touches her to try to hold her down I told her to call 911. I told her to be sure to let them know that if they try to physically force her to take the flu shot. If they as much as touch her to try to hold her down to take that damn thing she will call 911 and press assault and battery charges against them. I told her to let them know that they have 3 options:

A: Leave me alone, I'll sign a paper that you offered it and I declined.

B: Fire me and we will take the legal route for wrongfull termination.

C: Touch me, give me the shot and I will call 911 and press charges.

So fire away and give me your opinion. What can she do?

[ktwlpn, LPN]

I am drawn back to this thread as well... I am sorry for the doubt expressed earlier... but honestly I could not believe that something so B movie could happen in a medical facility. This is just downright disgusting and terrifying. Truly. PLEASE keep us informed.

Actually, I want to hear and read about this on the news. For the sake of every unrepresented, fearful person out there, this has GOT to be made public and people made aware that, despite the purported benefits, vaccines are not mandatory and no one should ever be held down and administered one.

I can't believe this is even an issue!! I am just so astounded!!! :angryfire

Sadly this is the mentality seen often in small facilities and in LTC.Our last administration had a long history of intimidation and flat out lying to employees.It's a county home-years ago someone mentioned "union" The entire CNA staff were invited outside to a shaded picnic area-only "professionals" (that's how they used to catagorize nursing vs. cna's) remained on the floors.The administrator told all of the cna's how awful unions were-that allowing a union in means giving them part of each and every pay check-ANYONE caught talking about it would be fired,etc,etc..So-no union-I think he took them outside because the area was actually off the property. They also used to keep PPE locked away-this was the early 90's...We seldom had enough gloves-never any disposable gowns or masks.When it became routine for health care employees to receive the HEP vac series the supervisors actually counseled each and every one of us AGAINST it..They did not want to pay for it so they really went over board about possible side effects.Then when some of us spoke to our own physicians we ended up in the DON's office"How dare you go over my head for info?" AND we had at least one hep + resident with a TRACH....The DON was against contracting a hospice agency (we still don't) She told me that it is against regulations to keep morphine locked in our emergency box.I had 3 dying resident in 4 days with nothing ordered until the very end and the pharmacy had to stat deliver roxanol FROM 2 HOURS AWAY.After the 3rd call I spoke to a pharmacist about it-he told me the truth-the DON just did not want to be bothered with controlled substances in the emergency box...Not that she would have been -they are kept in the supervisors office.He managed to take care of it for me-after they went to the cost of 3 stat deliveries-and it was awful for the residents and their loved ones. I hate a LIAR.....Nothing surprises me anymore...I hope the OP links us to her local news media next week when the crap hit the fan...

[ebear, BSN, RN]

That too is unbelievable!!!

[MQ Edna]

I used to complain about union dues... [wiki]AFSCME[/wiki] has more than made it up to me. I probably still wouldn't have a job if it wasn't for them protecting me against crooked administrators.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

SICU Queen--- I don't know why you're sorry for doubting the original post. I totally doubt it, along with some other recent preposterous sounding posts on allnurses lately. There are mischievious people who troll the internet who like to see if we'll take the bait, so one should be skeptical about what one reads on internet discussion sites.

Healthy skepticism is a good thing...

[MQ Edna]

SICU Queen--- I don't know why you're sorry for doubting the original post. I totally doubt it, along with some other recent preposterous sounding posts on allnurses lately. There are mischievious people who troll the internet who like to see if we'll take the bait, so one should be skeptical about what one reads on internet discussion sites.

Healthy skepticism is a good thing...

I totally agree. She has the benefit of the doubt and I think it's open to debate whether or not it's a factual story... or accurate... and I think that would be up to the OP. But if it is true, I at least hope what we have suggested has helped her. If it was a fallacy then.... there are some pretty sad and lonely bored people out there.

Either way, doesn't really bother me.

I just enjoy trying to help people, even though I didn't really have a lot to say about this post... besides the logical things to do. Welp... going to go to bed.

[cmo421]

One call to MEdicare would stop this place in its tracks also. Good luck and tell ur Mom to stay strong, being a "whistle blower" is not easy,but ethically the right thing to do.

[EmmaG, RN]

SICU Queen--- I don't know why you're sorry for doubting the original post. I totally doubt it, along with some other recent preposterous sounding posts on allnurses lately. There are mischievious people who troll the internet who like to see if we'll take the bait, so one should be skeptical about what one reads on internet discussion sites.

Healthy skepticism is a good thing...

True, but judging from their past posts, this person has not shown to be like that. I don't disbelieve the OP, but I hope it's exaggerated. I don't want to believe an employer would go this far.

[nghtfltguy, BSN, RN]

honestly?

i think you are lying....

just my opinion

if someone don't wanna fluviron shot.. then all they have to do is refuse.... period

[cmo421]

True, but judging from their past posts, this person has not shown to be like that. I don't disbelieve the OP, but I hope it's exaggerated. I don't want to believe an employer would go this far.

Damn, I believe people at their word. I hope that u all r wrong. But if u are right,then at least we got some heathly discussion out of it!

I bow to those who know the OP . Anyone who would do that needs to loose their rights to post IMO. Enjoy ur weekend all!!

[EmmaG, RN]

Damn, I believe people at their word. I hope that u all r wrong. But if u are right,then at least we got some heathly discussion out of it!

I bow to those who know the OP . Anyone who would do that needs to loose their rights to post IMO. Enjoy ur weekend all!!

I think you misunderstood my post. I do believe the OP. I have no reason not to, and their previous posts do not point to someone who would be dishonest. When I say I hope it's being exaggerated, it is because I can't wrap my mind around anyone doing something like this. That these employees would have to be put in this position, threatened and then assaulted, is horrifying.

[Nurse_FF_EMT]

Thanks for everybodies support. I am working tonight and tommorow, and I am going to spend the rest of the weekend documenting everything on paper, getting names of everyone involved (including witnesses), and getting everything ready to contact the PD and DA on Monday (maybe tuesday because of the holiday).

So you probably won't hear from me until late Sunday or sometime Monday. If there are any large developments I will let you know.

Thanks again for everyones thoughts...

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I agree with Emmanuel; this is a story from a B horror flick, something one would not expect to hear and do not wish to believe. And, if this is a reality here in the United States, what about other stories that were not shared regarding other facilities? You almost hope that this is a hoax, not to discredit the OP, but because if this can ever be a reality, then, this is something that ourselves or loved ones may be exposed to. Now, THAT is scary.

Right now, most of us are in the safety of our homes, typing our responses on this thread. This is not everyone's reality. But, what if it became a common place practice? How do we fight and advocate without blackballing ourselves? Didn't this happen in the Holocaust; where even some of the Germans had to make choices to stay away from or mistreat their Jewish friends in order to ensure the survival of their own families? This is a small town, many employees (maybe even including the nurses involved with this) have probably vested their time and pension and energy into this job because this was all that they had. To relocate and search for new positions late in life is a hard thing to do. Many may feel forced to do or endure things that most would not do. This is so frightening to me. I feel that no one has the right to tell me what is being done to my body or lifestyle. And saying 'no' should not interfere negatively with my finances or way of living. This is one of my worse nightmares!