I am RED HOT over this one.............

Specialties Psychiatric

Published

as we all know or better learn :banghead:, psych is a very litagous nursing specialty. i am ancc certified since 1995 with 11 years of service, a huge pt. and staff advocate, have an excellent work history, always pick up ot to avoid manadation for my coworkers, and have never had an open complaint on my license.

recently, i was 1 of 3 rn's that was involved in a prn med error during an urgent intervention, a dr. was involved as well. i was not the nurse that administered the wrong med but was the only one of the 3 who got unreasonable punishment (note: i'm the union president & steward). the employer gave the other rn's a written warning but suspended me and turned me into the state board of nursing, "***"?? and you know the dr. got nothing. i am fuming with anger but realize the board will look at the employer as an idiot for wasting their time if they have to investigate. the issue is, now i have to suffer through the "process". i'm about to leap off a tall cliff , per say, and exit stage left on my own accord. i feel like i'm in an abusive relationship with this employer and simply wont tolerate it any longer. anybody been there? done that? please help!

Very interesting thread. Mr Ian, your story is chilling, and your legal knowledge is vast...thanks..Best of luck to you and the nurse who initiated the thread.

Specializes in Mental Health/School Nursing/Corrections.

Mr. Ian, that phrase of yours, "emotional venom" is precisely how it feels & who better to scapegoat than the RN responsible for "due process to all"? Your paragraph #2 is exactly what happened. As for your paragraph #3, there are rules of delegation. The delegatee RN has the same responsibility/accountability as if he were to have started that med pass process right from step 1. The delegator, the Charge RN, has the responsibility to the 5 rights of med administration as well. But, I'm the one holding the bag for everyone. I have submitted a formal grievance and am now @ Step 2 of 3 which will be arbitration. I've also requested legal advise from the union's attorney and simply getting the run around. Thanks for your advise with the BON, I will heed your wisdom. As far as this Unit Manager goes, she's proceeded with pulling rabbits out of her hat and disciplining me for whimsical bull that no one gets written up for so I see the writing on the wall, therefore, I am actively seeking respectable employment, considering travel nursing in a "not so lucrative economy, I know", but always had the itch and what better time than now is what I feel. I already told her that I'd better serve myself to exit stage left with my livelyhood intact as well as my dignity and superior work record and history..........but U got me thinkin :thankya::idea:

Specializes in mental health; hangover remedies.

I'm not a lawyer - (INAL) - but....

If the U/M has written you up repeatedly for things others have done - getting that evidence together may serve you well after these shenanigans.

It's not uncommon once a manager has started such a process to pull out every last detail of every last event and attach your name to it as culpable. They think they're making an 'airtight' case - but they're actually demonstrating their childish petulance - as well as a subtle fear that they're not altogether 'in the right'.

Not sure on US legal terms or constructs etc but UK/Australia has a concept of 'constructive dismissal' - whereby an employee is forced to tender resignation by unscrupulous behaviour of an employer. This is a frequently cited complaint of the Industrial Tribunals.

I hope your grievance included the words 'harassment' 'bullying' and 'the inequitable and preferential treatment of others'.

Also sounds like your Union is crap. Even if you were completely culpable - you pay for them to assist you in industrial matters; not for them to decide if they're going to bother or not.

My union failed to support me (tho I only joined them after the event occurred - so there was no contractual obligation to do so on their part, even tho I had to back-pay a full year's subs in one go) so I am no longer in a union - but that's my personal choice.

I strongly support all nurses having a union membership.

I also encourage nurses to make sure the union represents them - and not the union's own agenda.

Specializes in Mental Health/School Nursing/Corrections.

You betcha, I didnt beat around any bushes, I stated in the settlement: Cease retaliation & discrimination of union affiliated concerted protected activity! I've inquired 4 times about referal to the union attorney with responses of fluff up my a**. I'm so disallusioned, as I have given them more hours per week than I did the employer and without compensation. Lesson learned :smackingf

Specializes in Psych, M-S, FP, Women's Health.

aloevera -

You're NOT slow tonight. I've read this thread SEVERAL times and also find it VERY confusing.

the green mile - PLEASE clarify what ACTUALLY happened in this incident. Tangential re-actions involving your employer, the BON, and your union involvement only serve to undermine your credibility here.

Specializes in mental health; hangover remedies.
You betcha, I didnt beat around any bushes, I stated in the settlement: Cease retaliation & discrimination of union affiliated concerted protected activity!

You're probably not far wrong that the U/M is intimidated by your union status. Most places function as adversarial with unions - which is a pity. They function much better when they are mutual goal directed - and the purpose of a union is to preserve the integrity of the workforce. You'd think an employer would welcome that but most are narrow minded and see them as 'interfering' with their 'good management'.

But I'd be cautious about over-stating the union position. You are foremost an employee and the employer has a responsibility to treat you fairly.

ReNewed One: Tho I have had problem following the nature of events - I'd suggest the OP is not liable to disclose all details for the benefit of others. I am more than aware there may be issues afoot that we are not advised about (as with any nurse who frequents here to complain +/or seek support) - but the nature of a support network for nurses is to 'support' - not judge or prevaricate.

TGM may have made an error for which they are responsible. They may even be one of those militant mendacious union reps who makes trouble for the employer just cos they can.

I'm not concerned with that as much as I am simply hoping that the "nurse" who writes here feels supported by their peers. Any anomolous behaviour will no doubt be brought to attention of those charged with making a decision on the matter. Fortunately, that is not our business nor responsibility. So personally, I remain sure there are things not fully clear - but that's not what a nurse support network is about and I'm not interested.

I've never been wrong in my judgement and I've always been victimised. At least, that's what I like to believe about myself and my nursing. Even tho I know I've done dodgy stuff, or simply wrong, on times.

When I'm feeling that way - I'd like someone to just step up and support me - not judge me.

Details are superfluous.

Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

I'm not an attorney either.

I do think you should have one. Probabluy the BON can give you a list.

Admitting that you should not have left the medication will probably help the board understand that you are honest.

And clearly not solely at fault.

And information on the numbers of med errors may help.

dennis O'leary on s systems approach rather than blame:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4102/is_200308/ai_n9253726/

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0843/is_2_27/ai_73036361/

The Institue of medicine book To Err is Human is excellent too:

http://www.amazon.com/Err-Human-Building-Health-System/dp/0309068371/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239509748&sr=8-1

Specializes in Mental Health/School Nursing/Corrections.

Dear Renewed One: your ID name tells me something implicit about you, that you too have been at one time, in a situation of misfortune and are Renewed as a resultant effect, unless I'm reading more into it than whats apparent, possibly it's my current mindset too. I usually dont make assumptions but in this case could not hold back.

I simply hope that what's happened to me, you never have to endure as it is so very disdainful. We as Psych Specialist's know, the 1st phase of loss or grief is "Shock and Disbelief". Anger eventually peeks, and obviously I'm no exception to the rule. I've decided to share with my partners in nursing as I have only 4 walls at home that don't reflect back any useful interaction. I am able to accept constructive criticism and welcome it if you'd like to engage in it with me, it will help me cope and grow. I really wont benefit from a judgemental stance at this time, so please consider this.

Specializes in Mental Health/School Nursing/Corrections.

Thank you Herring RN, your resources are appreciated and I will explore them, although I've been advised that I must exhaust all efforts with the union prior to being afforded the right to seek legal advice, so I must go to the last step which is arbitration prior to seeking outside legal assistance. This is all new to me and any/all suggestions are welcome.

Specializes in Mental Health/School Nursing/Corrections.

Dear Smitty, I'm still working and even pulling OT to help out during staffing strife despite it's difficulties, thank you for your support, I must believe in and have the courage to stand for what I believe within my gut and soul to be right and true. :caduceus:

Specializes in Mental Health/School Nursing/Corrections.

To All: Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, its been invaluable to me. You've assisted me to move more expediently through the process of grief and feel I'm in the place of "acceptance" now. I will view this as a learning experience, accept whatever is coming to me after the BON has investigated and handed down its decision. In the back of my mind, I always knew it would take something futile to right the wrongs in place of employment, I was just oblivious to the fact that it would be at my expense. The employer has now moved to mandated nursing inservices on "medication administration" to include NOT using slang terms for chemical restraints, otherwise known as a "Baroza" which equals Haldol, Ativan & Benadryl or the Doc's using a common standard practice of ordering it PRN on admission for agitation or aggresion. Something very positive has come of all of this, and I'm grateful for that.

Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Who has told you that you can't seek legal advice yet? That is bizarre, in my opinion.

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