I could really use some support and helpful advice right now. I have been turned in to the state for "abuse" over an incident that happened over a month ago, and was just reported last week (I thought you only had 48 hours to report?). I was not fired over the incident, but the woman I spoke to from the state says she believes it was abuse and is forwarding the case to the apropriate people..whoever they are.
Anyway, a little info: My co-workers and I were sitting at the station one night and some inapropriate comments were made about a patient. A joke was made and everyone laughed and went about their business. To me this was like any other day. We all need an outlet for the extremely stressful environment we work in. I was always taught that blowing off steam privatly was ok, as long as the patient didn't know.
In the time period between the time the joke was made and the time I was turned in, I happened to ruffle a few of the CNA's feathers by counseling them to do thier jobs. Since I met with the CNA's their attitudes had become worse. I even had CNA's refusing to do vitals and telling me I had to answer certain lights... Well that didn't sit well with me so I told them so. Basically I had to remind them that I was their supervisor and they had a job to do.. and it wasn't mine. (I used to be a CNA at this hospital and I feel a lot of resentment from the aides I used to work with). I am pretty sure one of the CNA's decided to try to get rid of me by "turning me in".
So now I am being investigated for supposed abuse. How is joking with a couple of cowokers abuse? The lady from state says I violated his right to privacy, but how could I have when the patient and his bahaviors are common knowledge and these co-workers of mine regularly deal with him?
If I had known blowing off a little steam at the station (in the middle of the night with no patients around) was abuse I never would have said anything. I know everybody does it, we all make comments about out patients... I thought it was pretty normal. Am I completely wrong? The patient was not harmed at all, he never even knew the incident happened... Will I lose my license over this?
