BarbaraR

Thank you for your acknowledgement that a Nursing Diploma means something today. I am in persuit of my BSN, because after 30yrs experience as a registered nurse my diploma isn't good enough at some institutions in the Philadelphia area. I think that this a major insult to the nursing profession. Of course it's being supported by the graduate degree nurses with MSN, PhD and 5 years experience whose superior knowledge enables them to make these type of decisions. If a diploma is no longer a proper education preparation for nursing practice why do diploma schools still exist????? DO I SOUND BITTER ? Acutally, I am insulted.

I loved your story! I have been a nurse for over 30 years. There were times when I have allowed myself to develop preconceived ideas about a patient I haden't even met yet - based on either the noise from their room or a coworkers' impressions. Most times they were wrong. I admire your honesty and your ability to look past the obvious to see the real issue at hand. As nurses, we are the only sounding board for patients when they become angry and/or frustrated. I remind myself of this any time a patient speaks to me in a demeaning tone or yells at me. Who else have they got? I actually had a patient's husband return to the facility where I was working to apologize to me for the way he had spoken to me shortly before his wife's death. I assured him that I had not taken offense at his words and that his apology was not necessary but appreciated. He thanked me. I guess it goes with the job.

I am sorry for your plight. When I worked in management any time that an incident occurred time had to be allowed in order to gather all the facts and often during that time, the employee was suspended from work. Once the investigation was completed, a meeting was set up with both the employee and human resources. The employee was told the result of the investigation. I'm used to working with an incrimental disciplinary process i.e. verbal warning, written warning, suspension, then termination. However, in your case, guilt was never the question. I would guess that your manager will be reporting to you a group consensus and the corresponding disciplinary action. Best of luck to you.