Integrity vs job security

[NurseAnnBo]

I have been a nurse for over 10 years. Recently the long term care facility in which I work, caught media attention when a male employee was caught performing a sex act on a dementia patient. The police were called, and the worker was terminated and charged with sodomy. Long story short, the proper chain of commands were followed, BUT only once the big wigs of the hospital found out. The administrator and DON knew about the incident for hours, failed to contact police, and falsified witness statements, to try to cover it up. It all backfired, and they were found out. However, despite police knowing they lied to cover it up, and DHSS citing them with a level 1 notice for the attempt, they still hold their jobs. Needless to say, staff has had enough of the corruption, and have notified DHSS with other abuse situations that were covered up by them also. The family of this patient has been told the sugar coated version of story by administration. They have no idea that the administration team attempted to hide this, nor do they know the facility was cited for this. As a genuine nurse and mother, I feel the family needs to know the truth. Would it be out of line to reach out to them and direct them to the proper websites that show the state citation, so they know administration tried to cover up the rape of their loved one? Could doing such come back to ultimately bite the person that tells the family?

[Luckyyou, BSN, RN]

Do it. Yesterday.

[NurseAnnBo]

Can I be disciplined or fired for communication with family outside the facility? I would only speak to the DPOA.

[NurseCard, ADN]

Yes, I would think that you could, if you were found out.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Do it anonymously.

[amoLucia]

I'm sure all of the shenanigans of the facility will become common knowledge when the court and LAWYERS get involved.

It's NOT your duty or responsibility to become involved as you think you should. It'll all come out!

If you are so morally distressed by the facility, then leave for another position.

And contrary to PP Been there, I don't believe that anything such as this would remain confidential or ANONYMOUS if you were to become involved.

[AJJKRN]

amoLucia said:

I'm sure all of the shenanigans of the facility will become common knowledge when the court and LAWYERS get involved.

It's NOT your duty or responsibility to become involved as you think you should. It'll all come out!

If you are so morally distressed by the facility, then leave for another position.

And contrary to PP Been there, I don't believe that anything such as this would remain confidential or ANONYMOUS if you were to become involved.

I'm leaning towards an anonymous report, even though an Ombudsman should already be involved, simply because of the potential politics involved.

I just found out not long ago that the competing hospital in our area owns the local newspaper...which I find odd but it explains a lot. And even though I work at a great hospital and it's the go to place to be fair r true emergencies, one of our popular news channels tends to only include our name on negative publicity but otherwise will state "area hospital" on most of the really cool things we do.

The OP is a rock in a hard place if you ask me. What if the POA isn't fully made aware until after the court decides/rules? I would however be fully prepared to be found out if I were to whistleblow this issue.

[amoLucia]

This is the kind of things that lawyers just thrive on. And in today's litigious and web-conscious society, I don't think that families are so naieve not to do their own thorough attempt at research. Because of the heinous circumstances of the crime, I'm betting the family ALREADY has legal representation. Lawyers know where to look. That's their job.

I stand by my comment that OP move on if so distressed.

[NurseAnnBo]

Move on? So you're suggesting I turn a blind eye and find another job because I'm uncomfortable with my administration team covering up sodomy?? From the sound of your response, I'm convinced you'd be a wonderful addition to our corrupt administration.

[klone, MSN, RN]

NurseAnnBo said:

Move on? So you're suggesting I turn a blind eye and find another job because I'm uncomfortable with my administration team covering up sodomy?? From the sound of your response, I'm convinced you'd be a wonderful addition to our corrupt administration.

OFFS. If you're so certain of the moral superiority of telling the family, then why did you come here to ask what you should do?

Do what you want. You will probably get fired. If that doesn't matter to you, then by all means, go for it.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Sometimes, there is a price to pay for "doing the right thing." Just because you are right, doesn't mean you don't have to pay the price.

You have 3 choices:

1. Do what you want to do ... tell the family ... and pay a price

2. Do nothing and/or simply remove yourself from the situation. Your conscience will suffer, but you will have a job.

3. Find a "middle ground" where you find a way to be sure the family knows, but do so anonymously so that you avoid paying a price.

Perhaps you should talk with an attorney before you do anything.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I would mention to the family that each person involved wants to protect their own interests, and perhaps they could get the full picture if they talked to the police about the situation. There's always a mix of gossip and fact among the staff, so I wouldn't try to tell the story myself for fear of being inaccurate. Making the police their information source will protect your job too, just say they were asking questions, and you referred them appropriately. I would think that if the resident remains in danger, the police would be quite frank about it.

The other option is to call Adult Protective, anonymously or not. I couldn't just sit on the information and continue to work there, but JMHO.