Nurse Fired for Dropping '***' on the Job: A Tale of Workplace Language and Consequences

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I was fired for saying "***" instead of "poop" during a bowel movement cleaning at work. The HR department cited a violation of the code of conduct/behavior and performance standards as the reason for my termination. However, they completely disregarded witness reports about other serious incidents involving patient confusion, kicking, and restraints. HR asked me to sign a voluntary resignation, refused to sign it, as I believe I was treated unfairly.

I'm concerned that HR might contact the Board of Nursing (BON) and report me. While I've found another job, I'm unsure about what the impact of this termination might be on my nursing license.

Does anyone have insight into whether HR can report me to the BON for something like this? What should I expect or do next?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ER and Administration.

I can't see anything that would be reportable. What is the disciplinary policy? I really don't see termination for cursing as being a termination event. There should be a series of events that lead to termination. Usually there would be a verbal warning, a written warning, a suspension, and then termination. If nurses were terminated for cursing, there would be no nurses.

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Specializes in Home Care.

Anyone can complain to the BRN for ANY reason.  I was turned in 2 years ago because I missed an email that gave me a directive... coincidentally I notified my employer that I quit the next morning for reason already reported to them. Harassment from my supervisor with NO support from admin.  My license may be on the line as stupid and silly this sounds, the BRN felt it warrants legal intervention and am now looking at being involved with a hearing... yea that is right a friggin hearing. The fact that my lack of actions did not cause a patient to be in any danger, he was still in the hospital, under medical care, and due to to be discharged home under hospice. The specific complaint stated that I failed to do a head assessment prior to Hospice , attempting to admit him. I did not get the request that I was aware of to do an assessment on this patient that is what the board wants to take my license away for so, saying that you can be charged or accused of anything even as stupid and as simple as what I got. 

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Had a coworker who was fired for something minor, she gave some discharge papers which were mixed with another pt's on the printer and when I mentioned to my manager I couldn't believe she got fired for that he said "Floyd, you know us better than that" and it dawned on me that they wanted to be rid of her and that became enough of a reason.

I'm only aware of one nurse who was reported to the BON. Even those who diverted meds were allowed to resign quietly. In the one case this guy performed an agregiously abusive act on  a patient (he taped an emesis basin to a vomiting pt's face). When I was working as a student nurse he directed me to do something that was clearly against policy for my position and when I questioned it he said he was in charge and I was going to do it. He was a punk and a jerk. I don't know how long he lost his license for, this happened over 20 years ago, but he eventually got it back.

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Get legal advice in your state - some jurisdictions require employers to report terminations and some states require self-reporting of termination even if you don't think the termination was warranted.  At least get a consultation with someone who does licensure defense so you can start taking steps now to be prepared & not harm yourself.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Edie Brous said:

Get legal advice in your state - some jurisdictions require employers to report terminations and some states require self-reporting of termination even if you don't think the termination was warranted.  At least get a consultation with someone who does licensure defense so you can start taking steps now to be prepared & not harm yourself.

I believe Indiana is one of the states that reports to BON when they fire nurses which I think is ridiculous when most work "at will" and can be fired at any time for any or no reason without union protection and hospitals do that especially if you are older and cost them more money!.

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How about texas? 

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