I got people fired where I work, and now hate my job

[shannieliz]

I ran into a situation in December that involved abuse (emotional) against an elderly resident, involving 2 nurses and 4 cna's, I was not presnt whaen the abuse happened, but was told about it by a nurse and cna, I decided that I would tell my DON. Partly to help the poor lady that was being abused and partly to save my job, I knew if they found out that I knew I would loose my job. Consquently they all got fired, and word got out "somehow" that I told on them, I live in a small town, there are only 2 nursing homes in my town, not many places to work, I'm sure that the whole town knows it was me. I know that I did the right thing, but am having some major guilt because the two nurses involved were good nurses and my friends. I have not spoken with the DON, ADON or Administrator since everything happened (5 months ago) I work third shift and rarely see them, but when I have seen them, I feel as though they are ignoring me, or are ashamed of me somehow, and I am really not enjoying my job at all right now, I actually have heard rumors to "watch my back, and watch what I say to anyone" and third shift has gotten in "trouble" and been "nit picked" upon since this happened. I am a good nurse and do my job very well, although I am worried that there is a "WITCH HUNT" and I am the next target, believe me this type of thing happens all the time in my facility, everyone knows who is gonna be fired before they are fired. so, I guess I'm wondering if this has happened to anyone else, or am I just being paranoid?? Please help.

[Moogie]

In a later post, the OP said that the nurse and CNA who told her were terminated because they were also involved in the abuse.

Actually the nurse and cna that told me both got fired, they were both involved in the abuse, the nurse was trying to get the cna to not tell, and came to me for advice, which is when I learned about the whole incident, I asked her if she realized that what they had done was abuse, and she said YES, can you believe the nerve?

I find it reprehensible that a trained health care professional at any level could participate in the abuse of a resident, be aware that his or her actions are abusive and continue to engage in behavior that he or she KNOWS is abusive. The nurse and CNA were trying to involve the OP in their cover-up. The OP is right; to have turned a blind eye would have been condoning their behavior and she, too, would have been guilty of abuse.

Would the situation be different if the abuse was physical rather than emotional? What if the OP said that her fellow staff confessed to her that they'd been sexually abusing a resident? Would she really need to be a witness to the actions or would she be justified in reporting what she knew to the appropriate channels?

However, I do see another side to this. Although the OP doesn't indicate this, I hope a thorough investigation was done by the DON prior to disciplinary action. If indeed the DON acted solely on gossip or third-hand information rather than checking into it personally, the employees could sue for wrongful termination if they were falsely accused and fired without a proper investigation into their acts. While some might disagree and say that the mere allegation of abuse is sufficient to terminate an employee, a fair and ethical DON would and should properly investigate all reports, witnessed or not. LTCs are indeed notorious for gossip and if every LTC terminated its employees only on the basis of rumor, there would truly be NO ONE working in these facilities. Even the best people can become fodder for the rumor mills.

It must have been very difficult for the OP to have turned in her friends and co-workers but she did the right thing. How would she have felt had she done nothing and the abuse continued or escalated?

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

wasn;t shouting, I changed fonts and hit the wrong button, meah culpa..sorry etc.

I agree it was hearsay and I am sure that when she reported it she didn't say "I witnessed" but "I was told that such and such happened by this nurse and this CNA...."

IT WAS UP TO THE DON TO INVESTIGATE....and decide what is true and what is hearsay and not reliable evidence. I agree that hearsay is not reliable.

As ADON, the staff and family report all sorts of things to me, I believe none of it till I investigate and get hard evidence from other sources, (we have cameras, we do body checks etc.) As I wrote, the OP didn;t get her fired, the DON and Adm made that decision.

Reporting hearsay is allowed, all it does is trigger an investigation. The OP took a risk, if the info turned out to be untrue, she would have looked bad, as if she was setting up her friends. What she did could have boomeranged in her face!!! But she acted according to her conscience. I understand that you wouldn't have done what she did and I think we have to all agree to disagree on this.

I agree with you completely...if it happened that way. Something in my gut instinct tells me that it didn't, and that is why the OP is getting the backlash at work.

However, I don't think it's appropriate to report hearsay because if you are wrong, someone's reputation in the facility can get seriously damaged in the process.

If the OP didn't feel responsible that she "got someone fired" then I doubt she would have used it as the title of her thread.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

well personally I wouldn't go directly to the DON instead I would write a note explaining whats going on. No one likes a snitch (Just trying to be honest).

EDIT: 3boysmom3 explained it very well. =)

No one likes a snitch????? No one likes an abuser. If you know and don't tell you are just as guilty as the abuser.

[missyd1991]

I think you did what was right no one should ever be abused in any way let alone in a nursing home. The incident must have been investigated and found cause to dimiss them. So you should not feel guilty for standing up for the residents that is part of our jobs. It may be hard right now but things will get better keep your chin up.

[tigertjc]

"No one likes a snitch????? No one likes an abuser. If you know and don't tell you are just as guilty as the abuser."

How do you know that she was an abuser? were you or she there to witness it? This situation is all based on gossip and rumors. How about I goto your DON and tell them you were abusing people without any evidence? This is the U.S. not a communist nation, we need actual proof here rather than the he said and she said non sense.

Unfortunately, this leaves a huge stigma and financial woe on the accused. I don't know where your from but this is the real world. No one likes snitches. PERIOD! That's why there are anonymous hotlines for people to call, which I fully support.

Personally, I would have confronted the accused and avoid all this mess.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Then YOU would have been just as guilty as she. I AM the DON and have to investigate these sort of claims more than I'd like. Sometimes it's obvious. Other times it is he said/she said or the witnesses have an agenda. Read the abuse prevention policy of your facility. Most, if not all, of them say to notify the supervisor if you have ANY inkling of abuse.

PS Next time you dis me, you better check your spelling.

[nursel56]

Unfortunately, this leaves a huge stigma and financial woe on the accused. I don't know where your from but this is the real world. No one likes snitches. PERIOD! That's why there are anonymous hotlines for people to call, which I fully support.

The word "snitch" used in this context is wholly unprofessional and inappropriate. It demeans every nurse who has ever wrestled with these questions, trying to protect his/her patient and not wanting to jeapordize her relationships with her co-workers. The people who REALLY don't like snitches are people who have something to lose. If a "snitch" is someone who observes her co-worker shoving my mom around or whatever else, then well, I LOVE a snitch.

I totally agree with you that a false accusation that is completely baseless can ruin someone's life, their finances etc. Someone who does that should face whatever legal consequences that can be brought against them. No, it's not always a perfect system. It's just better to have as system that encourages people to speak up, rather than fear being stigmatized by a word like that.

[achot chavi]

Something in my gut instinct tells me that it didn't, and that is why the OP is getting the backlash at work.

why are you involving your gut instinct, lets stick just to the facts presented, and give this nurse the support she needs for doing what was right legally even if it didnt win her any popularity contests at home. why criticize her based on your gut instinct,

However, I don't think it's appropriate to report hearsay because if you are wrong, someone's reputation in the facility can get seriously damaged in the process.

thats a matter of opinion, and as I wrote, we can agree to disagree. In any event if she hadn't reported it and was discovered as having known and kept quiet because she was afraid it was heresay, she might be an accessory after the fact...

If the OP didn't feel responsible that she "got someone fired" then I doubt she would have used it as the title of her thread.

I like that argument, and if I may suggest, we sometimes judge ourselves unfavorably as a reflection of the way we are treated, which is why they say dress for the job you want not have, so people will treat you better and you will in turn act accordingly. If her coworkers and friends have come down hard on her, she might be feeling guilty which is why an unbiased 3rd party (us) have come to tell her that she did the right thing

[SE_BSN_RN, BSN]

So, lets say you heard the RN giving report to the LPN and she says "So and so has an order to remove his picc line but I didn't have time to do it..." And the LPN says "I'll go do it, " and he goes and pulls it. Here in my state, even IV certified LPN's are not allowed by the facility or the BON to D/C them. Would you say something? And BTW, nothing was charted by anyone about the picc being D/C'd. Who's fault is it for not reporting it? The RN who says "I didn't hear that," as he walks off to go pull the picc line or the person overhearing the conversation?

[achot chavi]

So, lets say you heard the RN giving report to the LPN and she says "So and so has an order to remove his picc line but I didn't have time to do it..." And the LPN says "I'll go do it, " and he goes and pulls it. Here in my state, even IV certified LPN's are not allowed by the facility or the BON to D/C them. Would you say something? And BTW, nothing was charted by anyone about the picc being D/C'd. Who's fault is it for not reporting it? The RN who says "I didn't hear that," as he walks off to go pull the picc line or the person overhearing the conversation?

If there is no RN coming on shift, the RN from the previous shift has to stay and remove the picc.

As to reporting it, anyone can report it, it is then up to management to investigate its truthfulness. Then decide how to deal with it.

[Bellarubia18]

:coollook::coollook::coollook:

[Bellarubia18]

The biggest mistake you made is that you reported something that you heard and didn't know of for a fact....even rumor mills cost people their jobs.

You also didn't do it to protect the patient...you did it to save your own job...so my question to you is: Why was your job at risk to start with?

I would never, ever go to a boss unless it was something I witnessed personally, because you never know what kind of toxic poison someone else is spilling out of their lips.

I don't know how old you are, but I would wager you are pretty young.

No need to bring age into it. It's not just younger people who dislike that others talk behind their backs. I also think that these people would not have been fired unless there was follow-up done and it was found out to be true. The nurse had a legal obligation to tell someone, and it was to go higher up.

who wants to remain friends with people who would emotionally abuse an elderly woman anyway?