overheard a CNA badly verbally abusing an elderly patient

softstorms · Jun 21, 2009

You did the right thing by addressing it with the right people. In most states, it is manditory to remove the person from the job for 3 days while they are investigated. The statements both you and your co-workers document about the incident will make a difference in the outcome.

Cyndi_1985 · Jun 21, 2009

Okay,,, as a lot of you have read I was fired for turning in a CNA for abusing a patient, they kept her, and fired me. Two years ago at the same facility {I was not working there then} a CNA took a patient in the shower room , stripped him down nude, took pictures of him from his cell phone camera, and circulated then around the internet, he was not fired either,, then someone got word of it from the outside, called The State and he was then fired. Well, it has been 2 weeks I was fired,, I have went to several job interviews, and have not been able to get hired anywhere. I do not put down {ofcourse that I was fired nor do I use then for a reference} Now my problem is,, they are all telling me I would not be a good candiadate for a Nurse at their facility because I had stayed home to raise my daughters, and have not worked a while. But I read all these job postings {and I am not saying anything against new graduates} but I read where all these places want to hire, and will train new grads, now as a Nurse for 20 years, when I graduated I didn't know Squat, book smart was it,, we didn't get that much clinical training to walk onto a floor and take right over,, so why are places willing to hire a new grad, but not a Nurse that just wanted to stay home to raise her daughters, and now wants to get back into Nursing? Is anyone else finding it hard to get a job because they took a break for a while? I don't see where this is fair at all,, I was fired for seeing abuse to a patient, {along with another CNA that witnessed it, got fired}, now every job interview I go to, I am being told I was out of Nursing too long,,and wouldn't be able to do the job because of that,,, I don't now what to do,,I am traveling over 50 to 60 miles to find a job so I know the facility isn't black balling me, but I feel chastised because I stayed at home, and raised my girls, I don't understand, does anyone have any answers for me? I need to support my family, my 2 girls are still at home,, just older now, and I am a single parent, Why are they saying there is a shortage of Nurses? I have kept up with everything, meds change everyday,{so you can not even go by that} and to reactivate my license I had to take 3 online exams that are required every 4 years. I didn't forget anything, and I am in shock, I went to Nursing school, and had worked a s Nurse for a very long time before I had my girls, so what is up with this. I am so depressed. Thanks cyndi:crying2:

geriNurse1 · Jun 21, 2009

I am so sorry! You are in my prayers!

Have you tried the home health agencies? private duty? Factories? Doctors offices? Public Health?

You did the right thing! But if you haven't reported to facility to the State yet, it needs to be - or call the Elder Abuse Hot line. They need to be investigated and possibly closed!

allnurses Guide · Jun 22, 2009

Cyndi,

I'm not asking this to second-guess your decisions because I know every area, facility,etc is different, but I'm wondering, why can't you tell the truth to your prospective employers? People do usually say not to "bad-mouth" their previous employers, but I can't see that an honest account makes you look bad!

The old place was a viper's nest. It is really hard to understand that they would do this to you after the investigations they've had re: the cell phone pix of the poor man in the shower. Now, you're voluntarily removing valuable work experience from your own resume!!! Oh, he*ll no!!

Anyway, maybe I'm off base, but grrrr. . .rrrrr :angryfire:angryfire I hate it when the bad guys win.

Cyndi_1985 · Jun 22, 2009

Cyndi,
I'm not asking this to second-guess your decisions because I know every area, facility,etc is different, but I'm wondering, why can't you tell the truth to your prospective employers? People do usually say not to "bad-mouth" their previous employers, but I can't see that an honest account makes you look bad!
The old place was a viper's nest. It is really hard to understand that they would do this to you after the investigations they've had re: the cell phone pix of the poor man in the shower. Now, you're voluntarily removing valuable work experience from your own resume!!! Oh, he*ll no!!
Anyway, maybe I'm off base, but grrrr. . .rrrrr :angryfire:angryfire I hate it when the bad guys win.

I really should tell the truth,, but I just figure they got me and will make something up. I am scared, I did nothing wrong,, but they said {which they made up} I was taking too long to pass meds, and just wasn't working out,, now this is 2 days after I reported the CNA,, so I mean you know it's a messed up rack. I had only been there 2 months. But I as a Nurse was not going to not report it, I suppose I need to call the state to see what to do, or an attorney. :crying2:

softstorms · Jun 27, 2009

The truth is.......(and all of us nurses will say "Hell No" to this)....But.....we all have a home life...be it alone, as single middle age nurses...or alone as married, working females. A job, is just a job! We see the bigger picture of the work place, but our own life is more impotant than any job we have! I think, like many around me, that we have had many jobs, and I have never seen a company fold up and die...just because I left their emplyment LOL. But, I will always carry with me the fact.....I did my job to my best ablity, and to the benifit of my pts.

allnurses Guide · Jun 27, 2009

Cyndi, do you have a copy of the report you submitted about the CNA? Do you have a written statement by the witness? If not, I'd be contacting that witness ASAP to see if they would support you. If nothing else, you can prove that you reported someone and were immediately fired thereafter. I would also go and talk to a lawyer - not malpractice, but employment. There are meant to be protections for people who report abuse. I would also call the BON, the department of health and anyone else you can think of. Good luck finding another job.

Cyndi_1985 · Jun 27, 2009

He WAS an employment Attorney, Yes I made copies of the paper I had to write up that night, and as far as calling the CNA that witnessed the abuse,, I have tried and she doesn't want to get involved in fear they will fire her as well. She said she told them what exactly had happened, and nothing was done,, so she said "where does that leave her?" She was crying over it,, but NEEDS a job! YES! I documented everything, crossed my T's and dotted my i's,, This was jammed into our heads in Nursing school,,, as in CYA!!! So, yes, I knew all this. Also,, he wasn't the first EMPLOYMENT Attorney that I had contacted,, I had contacted 2 prior to him,, one wanted $250.00 an hour, the other said they couldn't take the case because they lived in the same county as this Nursing home. That is why I drove 50 miles to see another Attorney, who by the way when I called and told him my situation said nothing about $500.00 until I wasted all my gas and drove there to see him. This is why I said I have hit a brick wall, I have done everything I can,,, To tell you the truth it sounds like a scam!!! How do they get away with this???? What they are actually saying as far as I am concerned {at least in this State} Turn your head, let CNA's be the boss or you will be fired and chastised at work! MY best friend still lives in New York, turned in a CNA for abuse, and was not fired, or dis-respected, because the facility fired the CNA,, not her. It is Indiana! TY for your help,, but I have tried everything. This State sucks, and I have read about Indiana on here before,, nothing GOOD either! TY again*** :up: