STP

Also regarding taking a patient off the floor to their car.. I don't know what this nurses's assignment was, but likely she had more than one patient in her care. CNAs must take the patient off the floor, so RN is not abandoning care and responsibility on other assigned patients. The RN oversees the work and assignment, Not the CNA!

"tech that stated they are making beds came up to me and asked if my legs were broken.” the above statement is all I needed to see to know what was happening. Some techs think nurses have the "easy job", not understanding the additional responsibilities involved and they become resentful. If they feel overworked or understaffed, they need to take it up with the manager, not refuse to work with others and display a bad attitude and create an unhealthy work environment for everyone - which ultimately affects patients too. If they do not like their line of work, they should find another. But someone with this lack of interpersonal skill that makes the above type of statement is not one many employers (or coworkers) welcome.

A masters is a higher level degree than a bachelor degree, so it would not make any sense to view having a masters and not a bachelor degree as a negative. If an employer truly does not recognize that, I am not sure it would be a place I would wish to work anyways. Education means options!

It's the hospitals job to investigate, not yours. I would be wary of making accusations without direct knowledge of the situation and process. If the hospital is indeed "sweeping it under the rug" they will be corrected at some point thru audit and other oversight.

I am sorry this happened to you and shame on your coworkers. I know how hard it is to support oneself and others and be in a toxic or dangerous situation. It's not always easy to just walk away, as others here suggest. And it's reality that employers will black ball you, so saying it's your responsibility to remove yourself is unrealistically (even cruelly) dismissive of these realities. I personally will no longer work travel companies, as they are not accountable/ just money grabs and you put yourself in their hands - at your peril. I think it's better to have your health and work another day, even if in another field. The money is not worth the risk, imho. You CAN still work in nursing. Consider those positions not at the bedside; educator, case manager, informatics, UM, legal, quality, etc. etc. And I agree, find an attorney. You can sue. Workers comp is medical care only. And you can still sue for the disability, even then. It is difficult to find an attorney but it can be done. Don't let all you can offer go to waste. Look forward and be resilient, yet hold those in your past accountable by becoming a fearless advocate for yourself and others who fall into these same traps. Pay back and pay forward! That's true change and leadership. Best wishes for healing and success.