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.

[PammyRN,CEN]

You should REFUSE to take any responsibility for the firings. You did the right thing! It will all blow over but it will take time. Hold your head high, do a good job and keep a low profile. Do not gossip and steer clear of those that partake in gossip. Sounds to me like a few more need to hit the door and they probably will. It would be easy for you to run the other way, BUT DON"T! Hang in there it does get better. I lived through it, state came in and the girl who initially reported the abuse to me told the investigator right in front of me that she didn't say such a thing!! GRRRRRRRRRR From then on When someone starts to open their mouth to me I say stop, shut your lips and come with me, I take them to the supervisor or DON or call the DON. I make them give it right straight to them. BUT now I am the DON so that plan won't work for me any more. I just wanted you to know it does get easier. Stay.. keep that job. They would like to run you off... I outlasted all the ones at the place I used to work. I have a duty to protect my patients. One of the aides slapped a resident in the mouth and busted her lip, she told me she nicked her shaving her, another aide came and told me she slapped her in the mouth, then lied to the state during the investigation. The one girl threatened the other girl... so she recanted her story. But in my heart I know it did happen! How sad! You hang in there!!!!!!

[tewdles, RN]

Pt advocacy is sometimes a lonely place!

Anyone who has advocated for a patient based upon some misdeed of another professional will always have concern for how that action may affect their employment. Nurses may be saints (kidding) but we are also humans with a hierarchy of need.

The decision to terminate was managements...not yours. The decision to actually abuse the patient was that of the involved parties...not yours. You did what your professional conscience told you to do and I, for one, will not second guess it. You are there and I am not.

Going forward, be cautious of workplace gossip...it is a fickle lover.

[nursel56]

[QUOTE=PammyRN,CEN;4059858]You should REFUSE to take any responsibility for the firings. You did the right thing! It will all blow over but it will take time. Hold your head high, do a good job and keep a low profile. Do not gossip and steer clear of those that partake in gossip. Sounds to me like a few more need to hit the door and they probably will. It would be easy for you to run the other way, BUT DON"T! Hang in there it does get better. I lived through it, state came in and the girl who initially reported the abuse to me told the investigator right in front of me that she didn't say such a thing!! GRRRRRRRRRR From then on When someone starts to open their mouth to me I say stop, shut your lips and come with me, I take them to the supervisor or DON or call the DON. I make them give it right straight to them. BUT now I am the DON so that plan won't work for me any more. I just wanted you to know it does get easier. Stay.. keep that job. They would like to run you off... I outlasted all the ones at the place I used to work. I have a duty to protect my patients. One of the aides slapped a resident in the mouth and busted her lip, she told me she nicked her shaving her, another aide came and told me she slapped her in the mouth, then lied to the state during the investigation. The one girl threatened the other girl... so she recanted her story. But in my heart I know it did happen! How sad! You hang in there!!!!!![/QUOTE]

Thank you so much for holding up the highest possible standards for the safety of your residents. :heartbeat When we read story after story of abuse, neglect and management looking the other way or firing the whistleblower, it is really discouraging.

[dgonzal883]

it disappoints me when i hear about nurses valuing popularity in the workplace over a patient's/resident's well being. you absolutely did the right thing. personally i would rather have a few co-workers animosity than harm to the resident on my conscience..i would find a new job though...if the DON seems to be acting differently towards you because of it i dont think i would want to work in a place run by someone like that..

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

There is never any excuse to condone abuse. When I do trainings on abuse I make it absolutely clear that we are all mandated reporters and they are report any suspected abuse to the supervisor..and if it's the supervisor who is the abuser, they are to report it to me or the ED. I tell the repeatedly that if they know about the abuse and don't tell, they are as guilty as the person who did the abuse. If they say they are worried about getting someone in trouble, I tell them that the person got themselves in trouble. I tell them I know it's not an easy thing to do to 'rat out' your friend, but would you really want to be friends with someone who would hit a little old lady? It's a serious business regulatorily and ethically speaking.

[surfnbeagle]

Nursing includes advocating for your patients . I believe you did the right thing. Yes, long term care facilities are notorious for their back-stabbing and gossip. As long as you believe in what you did you will be fine. However, I agree that if you detect changes in management attitudes to consider moving on if thats at all possible. Your gut instinct will tell you this. I have heard of nurses who had to make ethical decisions regarding a coworker and patient safety. Administration stood by them initially, but one of the "dangerous" nurses was a favorite of the administrator. The nurse who did the right thing was eventually terminated for something totally unrelated. This is tough and an unfair situation, but she followed her conscience.

[LiliaBSN]

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.

Federal regulations require anyone at any time to report any abuse, either observed or suspected. Chances are you aren't going to catch someone sexually, emotionally or verbally abusing a resident, but you REPORT IT EVEN IF YOU AREN'T SURE!! Resident abuse is a very serious situation that is NOT to be taken lightly. If you know, suspect, or have seen abuse, it doesn't matter if you work nursing, maintenance or dietary, you have a legal obligation to report it. An investigation is done, and if necessary, people are fired or placed on a probation.

This nurse didn't do the wrong thing at all. I understand feeling guilty about the jobs of others and yes, this kind of thing has the tendency of being seen as "trouble-making" by DON's who don't want to do their jobs. But, this nurse CANNOT get fired under federal whistle-blowing protections. If she looses her job, she can sue big time.