I was fired Jan. 14, 2004 and have only had two jobs since then, working approx. 8 months since that day.A situation that will haunt me the rest of my life.This not only has affected me, but my family also. I went from making 80,000.00 a yr., to 1,800.00 (the first year) and 10,500.00(this last yr.)I've been a LPN for 8 yrs. now ,:uhoh21: and Love my job, no matter how stressful it may get.I take pride in what I do and feel I do A Very Good job at it.I am eager to learn something new everyday.This was in a LTC facility that has approx.85-95 res. at all times. Also having rehab. pt's. - oncology- alzheimers-and skilled pt's..We had been (we will call it CHALLENGED),short staffed for approx. 3 months. Maybe not everyday but at least 4 out of 7. It was getting so bad at times that family members would be helping pass the breakfast trays, not just their family,but others.We followed our chain of command, and was not gettin results. We worked long hours and at times past the time able to work in a 24 hour time frame.Administration started to tell family's that we were the reason why pressure wounds had increased State had entered several differant timesand still we remained CHALLENGED.One morning I was passing meds when a family member needed help and got very angery because the CNA had informed her that her mother would have to lay in feces.Because it was a state law to wait till after serving all res. on the floor and they all have been fed.This is has always been a issue everywhere I've worked. This is a dignity issue,and that res. has the right to be clean and dry.I had 44 res. with two CNA'S and a QMA and another LPN.After I started med pass ,lights where a buzzing, res. were yelling, trying to get up, wanting to go to restroom,alarms going off,and phone ringing.I was at my last straw. "WE"I, and 5 CNA's , 1 QMA, 1 other LPN. spoke breifly, and decided enough was enough. "WE" decided to notify the Media, TV and local newspaper. They meet us at front doors . Making sure a cna and/or nurse was on floors at all times.We discussed the poss. of being terminated,but proceeded. Only being out there approx.5 minutes the DON had been informed of what was taking place.She then asked us if we were on the clock? WE informed her we were on break(1st. 15 min. break). She then proceeded to tell us we could all clock out and go home. I asked DON if she had just fired us on camera, and she said "YES". Media was told to leave or police would be called. We were walked to time clock. I informed ADM. that the supervisor would not count narc's with me and I needed someone to count with so I was not charged with adbandonment.We were all sent cert. letters stating "we would all have to sign a paper stating we would not walk out and abandonment the res. AGAIN and we would come back with NO stipulations.Well 5 of the employees signed. One we never seen again and I sit here now telling my "Whisleblowing"story.I was NOT signing a letter that was stating I adbandoded my pt's. We were contacted by the United Steelworkers of America". We meet with them and informed of our rights and decided to let them help us and file charges against BHNRC to the NLRB. We have won the case twice and continues in appeals court at this time. The NLRB ask for back wages,are jobs back,etc..$) hrs. a week with 10 hours overtime a week (related to past work/an amount of hours I had been working.)Its been two and a half years. The ADM. was fired immediately and the united steelworkers proceeded to do what they do. There has been two union campaigns,losing them both.We had NO intentions of unionizing.We were only trying to make the staffing ratios a issue and have them corrected.We were only trying to help our pt's.,trying to get more help.Also covering our own "ass". When we have "in house " wounds,and getting lectured dly on how to prevent them,and it was the staffs neglect,we decided to take a stand for our rights, let alone the pt's rights.My lie has been affected termindiously!!We were accussed walking out,trying to unionize,and basically marked or blackballed from nursing.!! (that is how I feel I was labeled.)I moved in another state even,but still follows me to this day.It's not like I can get around it. I worked at that facility for the past 4 yrs on and off . I moved away then returned three times.Why would they hire me back if I was such a bad employee?I had also worked for their sister facility in another state,during my 8 yrs.of my nursing career.{FYI:I had went thru a divorce 4 yrs. ago and have moved several times related to financial problems.}My three sons an I went from 80,000.00 a yr(combined wages)to like I said 1800.00 a yr..I dont't think the public realizes how this has and is affecting my family?I recently had started my 2nd job since 1-14-2004, worked for approx. 2 an half months. Then one day before clocking in was informed ADM. needed to speak with me. I was then told by a corperate employee I had lied on my applications. he said, I had failed to give info on 2 of the facilities I had worked with.and they all three were sister facilities.I did not realize when applying they were an EXTENDEDCARE Facility, which had been changed/sold to or whatever. I informed him I had put my last approx.5 yrs. experience down,and which one of them was BHNRC. I ask if DON had checked my references?Because this was falcility where it all took place.He then told me she did check them and nothing was said. Well the following week she was fired!!!My intentions were from the my heart, I was thinking of my pt's.rights to be treated as humans. to be treated how you would want your Mom ,Dad, Grandma/grandpa or son/dtr. to be treated.So when DON's , ADM.,staffing cord.and etc.look at my appl. or me they see a trouble maker, a threat to them, a unionizer and someone who is not reliable.Someone who might walk out. NOT!!! I AM A HUMANBEING WITH RIGHTS,A DAMN GOOD NURSEAN A EXCELLANT WORKER!I LOVE MY JOB. I LOVE DOING FOR OTHERS ,I LOVE THE CHALLENGE(OF NURSING NOT STAFFING). WILL I EVER WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE??? SOMEONE PLEASE WAKE ME.ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS??iT IS SUCH A SHAME I SIT HERE WITH A NURSES LICENSESDOING NOTHING WHEN THE SAME OL' **** IS HAPPENING IN YOUR TOWN.
