Need input urgently

[ZayraP]

Last week on Thursday January 11th at 2:20 I was doing my last rounds and my dsd passes by me and tells me we needed to talk. She pulled me into a utility closest (where employees regularly go in and out) and tells me I need to clock out there's an allegation of abuse. Naturally I was shocked and started crying she refused to tell me my allegations and told me to leave and assured me no one knows I'm being suspended. Mind you the utility closet is right next to the nurses station where all my co workers seen me leave crying and upset. The next day in the morning meeting they told all cnas there's allegations of abuse. The weekend pass and Monday I go an hear my allegations give a statement, someone who reportedly helped me with a resident is saying I was verbally abusive towards the resident because I was allegedly rushing my resident. How ever that person statement is saying it happened on a day I wasn't even assigned to a resident and the days I did have the resident there was only two people who helped me with the resident and the administrator stated it wasn't either person who reported me and if I could think of anyone else who might of helped me with him. What upsets me is when I quickly stated I hadn't even gone into the room with that resident on Wednesday my dsd was quick to say well maybe he got the day mixed up and said it must've been Monday. If I abused the resident Monday how come that person waited until Thursday to report it when it needs to be reported with in 24 hours and the resident who I "abused" is very oriented and is not shy about reporting cna's for whatever reason. So if I was so abusive why didn't he express any concerns. I also wanna know when I got suspended was I suppose to be brought into her office with another department head, instead of being humiliated and also shouldn't my dsd have done more investigation and why couldn't she just ask the resident himself? Why is she listening to someone else word off the bat? Input, and opinions are greatly appreciated

[SmilingBluEyes]

Ok well this sounds serious. Any allegation of abuse is to be taken deadly seriously. Do you have malpractice insurance? If so, you have access, covered by insurance, to legal advice.

if not, get legal advice any way. Pay for it however you can, but tell us no more. TALK to a lawyer who specializes in nurse malpractice, if the allegations go any further. Do not offer anything to them without legal advice/counseling. In other words, say NOTHING, defensive or otherwise. Admit nothing. No words without legal consultation. That is my strongest advice to you.

Also if you have a union, get with your rep right away for protection and also, advice.

Good luck to you. I am sorry this is happening.

[NurseCard, ADN]

Agree with SmilingBluEyes, everything that she said. I am sorry this is

happening to you. I hope getting it off of your chest helped a little.

I hope everything turns out OK.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Also I warn you: The Board of Nursing for your State/Province and your administrators/managers are NOT your friends or advocates. Tell THEM nothing, either, without legal counsel/advice. They exist to protect the public and will hang a nurse out to dry if the opportunity is presented properly. Your only "friend" is your legal counselor or union rep. Also say nothing to coworkers, and I mean NOTHING.

[Munch]

Everything that was said is great advice. Just wanted to add that a lot of attorneys have free consultations. Trying to talk your way out of it and giving a statement can be used against you. If anyone else calls you in to ask about the incident tell them not without your attorney. Don't make a move without legal counsel, expensive it might be but worth every penny.