I got my coworker fired

caliotter3 · Oct 11, 2009

Some nurses are too into watching what others do and reporting every little infraction. I don't have much use for those people. I think we need to pick our battles and watch our own practice before finding fault with other nurses' practice. It's tattling if the intent is to get someone in trouble. It's not tattling if it's a real issue that hurts someone, be it patient or coworker.

When tattling is taken seriously and encouraged by those in management, it is dangerous to work around people who look for reasons to tattle. Knew at least one who would make things up out of the blue, and the boss glorified every word out of her mouth.

bluemorningglory · Oct 11, 2009

Okay this is my two cents on the topic of reporting coworkers to supervisors/managers:
I think that nurses and nursing aides are too quick too quick to report coworkers to higher ups. This "policing" policy of nursing creates a negative culture and isn't what the mandated laws were meant for. For example, a previous poster stated that she reported a coworker to a supervisor based on what a patient said....that baffles me. As a team, aren't you supposed to have each other's backs and give each other the benefit of the doubt?
There ARE reasons to report someone to the supervisor. If somebody is BLATANTLY doing something to intentionally HARM a patient....report report report. But if it is something that can be fixed/ genuine mistake then try to work with your coworkers first. Try talking to them, helping them out, etc and then if the situation doesn't resolve itself after having given them a fair shot, then go to higher ups.
Remember, no one is perfect. It could have been you.

I so agree with this. I am not even an LNA yet, let alone an LPN or RN, and I am so scared about saying or doing something and having someone "tattle" on me. Yes, there is a time and a place for going to highers-up but doing so for "hearsay" alone is frightening indeed.

healthcarestudent · Oct 11, 2009

I am still a nursing student and hearing nurses reporting nurses scares the crap out of me. My aunt who has 50+ years of nursing practice under her belt told me NO NURSE, ABSOLUTELY NO NURSE IS PERFECT. A person can be a good nurse but not a perfect nurse. Reporting another nurse because one feels they are not doing their job indicates you are judging the person. Imagine if someone judges you. My friend stopped becoming a nurse because at the places she worked all the nurses did was try to jeopardize someone, gossip about nurses and doctors and report. Please watch out for each other....

MassED, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2009

Cursing, talking sexually explicit, and just generally acting immature in front of patients and family members. She was embarrassing to be around.

don't feel bad. Sounds as though you did the right thing - you're holding our profession in high regard, and I thank you for that. Keep in mind, maybe you were only one of many who complained about her.

There's a time and a place for our dark humor, even necessary at times to decompress, but there is an appropriateness that comes into the equation. Good for you!

MassED, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2009

What did you want when you posted this? You didn't ask a question, or ask for input. I don't really understand what reaction you are looking for.
As NREMT-P/RN said very well, you chose to report someone - when you do that, you are taking the chance that they will be disciplined in some form.
Honestly I don't understand the "reporting" mentality in US nursing. It just doesn't work that way where I am from. If you have a problem, you talk to the nurse, unless there's something affecting staff or patient safety that must be reported to management. Messing with people's livelihood is not something to take lightly.

in all fairness to the OP, that nurse might have been unapproachable, or part of a group of nurses that were in a clique - you don't know the whole story. I think the OP was looking for a way to vent about feeling bad, which is genuine I think, that she was in that position to report her and she lost her job. It's only natural to feel bad - not to berate the nurse for reporting her and then posting on here when she feels bad. It's NORMAL to feel bad - of course we don't want to actively seek out situations in which to report people. Where there are some that do, I'm sure.... but don't knock the person that had the guts to act and get that inappropriate, unprofessional, immature nurse canned. Good job!

nursern1966 · Oct 11, 2009

Interesting post.
We all have some duty to "police our profession" - but, I have seen more "missions of evil" than "missions of good".
Only YOU know which one you went on.
All I can say is - chose to start something, be prepared to be involved in something. Sure it sucks - but, no salve from me. It is what it is. IF by some karmic happenstance the "reporting" you did was done out of anything other than patient/workplace/profession safety, then, well....paybacks are ****. Not trying to be hurtful - but the mere fact that you posted on this topic screams - "OOPS!" - I didn't MEAN to do that! The law of unintended consequences is a *****.
Good Luck.
P.S. We all make mistakes. We stumble, fall and occasionally hurt one another. Honesty and forgiveness are amazing when done well. I am as hard line as anyone, yet - I still cling to the golden rule. Do unto others.....
Is it true?
Is it kind?
Is it necessary?
Tough questions that make it easier to do the RIGHT thing.
:angel:

oh your statement speaks volumes!

MassED, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2009

You know, not everyone here believes in God and not all of your patients believe in God. Just something to consider.....

that is true - I have found patients uncomfortable with a nurse coming in preaching to them. Totally unsolicited and inappropriate. It is not about a nurse and their beliefs - I am always blown away when a nurse initiates a "let's pray" to a family!!! The hospital isn't church - a person hasn't chosen to step into the hospital as they would step into church. It is just craziness that it is pushed on people who are already vulnerable!!!

Riley3 · Oct 12, 2009

I did not work 5 years in school and train myself to be a nurse to have "weak links" jeopardize my ultimate goal which is excellent patient care. If your mind is on joking, and having fun at work then your not thinking about patient care enough. Your going to miss something vital and your putting the patient at risk. GOD obviously had a lessen in this for the person who got fired and he has a lesson for you too. Perhaps it is to think and respond to a situation and not react to one. Nurses are seen by many people as hand maids and not as educated individuals that self-sacrifice and continually commit to further their education to stay abreast of new treatments, medications, disease process findings and technological advances. I, for one did not go into this to have a great time at work, I went into this to do God's work and serve his people to the best of my ability. In doing so, any joke I make is made at an appropriate time to enlist trust from my patient, not elicit a party. I do so to help them see me as a regular person but I stay aware and prepared to switch into nurse mode with any finding. If this person was having too much fun at work then she was not working and putting the patient at risk. God has the ultimate say in all things so if he truly wanted her/him there then they would still be there. You just have to trust that he knows what he is doing and let it go, its gone and nothing can be done now....move on!!

I am very glad we dont work together...I have a blast at work. I work in an ED as well as an oncology infusion room. I take excellent care of my patients and I am the nurse most people love to work with. I can be serious in emergency situations. Can be quiet and compassionate when appropriate. I also can raise alot of hell and laugh through out and entire shift. I went into nursing to do just what I do....take great care of my patients, enjoy my co-workers and hopefully them enjoy me as well. Nursing is stressful enough without not being able to laugh it up when we can. just my opinion

Ruby Vee, BSN · Oct 12, 2009

i reported a coworker for her inappropriate behavior as a nurse. i expected her to maybe get suspended for a few days. when i went to work i found out the she was no longer an employee. i hate confrontation in general so it is making me very uncomfortable to have been in this situation.

you don't say what the "inappropriate behavior" might have been, nor do you say that you attempted to speak to the coworker before "reporting her." because you hate confrontation, you "reported" the "inappropriate behavior" rather than try to speak to your coworker about your perceptions? nor are you clear on your reason for this post. are you bragging about costing someone their job?

if you have a problem with someone, talk to them about it. only after you've tried several times to discuss the situation with them and haven't gotten anywhere is it time to even consider "reporting" someone. i'm absolutely stunned at how many people are jumping to tell you that you did the right thing without knowing any more than what you've posted. but i guess i shouldn't be. people in general are awfully quick to judge without knowing all the facts.

bluemorningglory · Oct 12, 2009

in all fairness to the OP, that nurse might have been unapproachable, or part of a group of nurses that were in a clique - you don't know the whole story. !

No matter what, if I felt the need to "report", I would have the common courtesy and respect to at least tell the "accused" first and let the "accused" make the proper changes. Years ago, when I was a military spouse, there was a similar "witchhunt mentality" within the FRG/wives groups. A mother would come to playgroup looking a buit frazzled and within 24 hours, there was a rumor floating around that she was "depressed and could not handle being a single parent during deployment". I cannot tell you how many unnecessdary calls were made to CPS, all in the name of "do gooding" when all it was amounted to a bunch of bored housewives just trying to stir up trouble.

allnurses Guide · Oct 13, 2009

in all fairness to the OP, that nurse might have been unapproachable, or part of a group of nurses that were in a clique - you don't know the whole story. I think the OP was looking for a way to vent about feeling bad, which is genuine I think, that she was in that position to report her and she lost her job. It's only natural to feel bad - not to berate the nurse for reporting her and then posting on here when she feels bad. It's NORMAL to feel bad - of course we don't want to actively seek out situations in which to report people. Where there are some that do, I'm sure.... but don't knock the person that had the guts to act and get that inappropriate, unprofessional, immature nurse canned. Good job!

Perhaps you should reread my post. I did not berate the OP. Ever. I asked what kind of response she was looking for, given that her actions had a predictable repercussion. Then I said that I do not understand the reporting mentality I find rife in the US nursing arena.

Please tell me where exactly that is "berating" the OP or "knocking" anyone. Kindly take the time to read things properly before telling someone else off.. especially when you're judging them for telling someone else off... ironic, huh?

I_LOVE_TRAUMA, RN · Oct 13, 2009

I wanted to add one thing. At my job, if we found out that you were a snitch and we liked the person you snitched on for doing something that we all (INCLUDINGYOU) probably have done at least once or twice, we would surely be watching your every move from then on, and WHEN you did something that we could find any kind of fault in, trust me, you would surey be reported promptly, and over and over until you were gone too.Someone mentioned hostile work environment-well that works both ways. Having to constantly watch your back because you know that do-gooder, holier-than though, judgemental, 'professional' was watching you could easily make a lot of people VERY hostile.