I have been under investigation for twenty months by my State Board of Nursing for twenty-four itemized complaints. One day at 5pm I was abruptly fired. No explanation was given. There had been no prior warnings, just “leave and never return.” (Seriously!)
Repeatedly, since then, I have been approached to apply for a nursing job. Each time, I shared that I was under investigation with the BON, offering to share both the complaint and share why I was innocent. Each time this ended the hiring process.
My question for you is:
With the list of complaints alleged, (see the end of the post) especially the last one that alleges cognitive impairment, which of the following statements do YOU as a nurse agree with:
I believe that I must ethically let any potential employer (if the job will be working as an RN) know that there is an impending, and as yet, unresolved BON complaint against me.
OR
I believe that I am not ethically bound to share with any potential employer, (if the job will be working as an RN) that there is an impending, and as yet, unresolved BON Complaint against me.
Please DO NOT ask for any more information. This is imperative. Giving out too much information before investigation is finished could be interpreted as witness tampering (interfering with the investigation). My lawyer has warned me to be very careful about giving out information. Therefore, I cannot, at this time, give out any more information.
I promise, that when the time is ripe, I will write, probably an article, sharing the entire story.
Since you will naturally want to know what the complaints were, here they all are:
Sent an unethical and unprofessional letter to a doctor.
Fraud, four separate itemizations
Mistakes administering medications.
Failing to document.
Failing to notify doctor of medical issues or medication issues.
Failure to wash hands when handling medications.
Failure to use gloves properly.
Failure to properly assess.
Failure to perform as ordered.
“Creates a negative environment.”
“Nurse was late.”
“Nurse appeared scattered and somewhat sedated.”
Re-injection of insulin with the same needle.
Did not wash hands after injecting insulin.
Not cleaning hands between patients.
Inappropriate delegation to LNA’s
Refusing to work as part of a team.
Questionable assessment skills.
RN “talked more than worked.”
Neglecting patients.
Sloppy or non-existent documentation.
Violation of HIPAA (Keeping patient photographs on personal phone)
“The way the RN acts with some of the female residents is cause for concern.”
Engaging in nonsensical conversations causing interference with staff performing duties.
Talking too much.
“Medical or mental health issues (or a combination of both) that would prevent him from providing nursing care in a safe, professional and appropriate manner.”
