sandfla

I went through the Associate Handbook and it states " the following issues are not subject to the grievance procedure. Disciplinary actions for patient abuse or any other gross misconduct on the part of an Associate." In the termination letter they wrote that " I was investigated for allegations of grossly abusive and discourteous conduct to a patient. The investigation revealed that you were verbally disrespectful to a patient which caused the patient to be humiliated and further provoked his anger toward the entire staff." They will not let me grieve this. I do have the incident report that was written by the patient nurse. I was just helping her get a cath urine. This hospital has two other Emergency Rooms in the area. They were just letting the nursing staff that work in each ER that I was suspended. I am a very well liked nurse and they knew that there was going to people very upset by this. They said they were just trying to stop the rumor mill. I think they were using me as an example to say "Look what we can do" The moral in all three is ERs is very low and the nurse have been fighting management on some issues and they are not happy about it. So they wanted to let everyone know that they can get ride of anyone they want to. Even the really good nurses. I put a lot of extra time and effort into this hospital and this is how I have been treated. I was on their in-service line team, charge nurse, etc.

Thank you for all your advise. It is greatly appreciated! Will be speaking with an attorney.

Very upset over a suspension that turned into a termination by phone and then sent a explanation by certified mail. They accused me of being disrespectful to patient which caused the patient to be humiliated and further provoked his anger towards the entire staff. This is not true! This patient came into the ER arrested spitting and cursing at everyone. He wasn't my patient I just help a nurse get a cath urine. What are my rights as a nurse? How do i go about fighting these allegations. I have the staff that was in the room with me who will confirm this is not true but was never even given the chance to speak with anyone. Furthermore the director of the ER went to two other Emergency Rooms that are affiliates and told them that I was suspended after telling me that this was confidential and I was not allowed to discuss it with anyone. I have worked at this facility for 4 years and spent a year of being a charge nurse. I think I empowered some of the nurses to go HR about a few situation and I'm getting retaliation. I don't want my job back? But would love to find away to stop this behavior in hospitals. Any advise would be appreciated.