NewerNurseHelp

Thank you everyone for your encouragement and help. So far everyone that has heard the particulars of what happened has had the same opinion - none of it sounds right, I did the best thing for my patient, I did not commit a HIPAA violation, and my company used me as an "example" or "scapegoat". I've had many interviews and two job offers so far and feel like this is something I am going to have to leave in my past and move on from. Again, everything you have all said has made me feel far better about this situation and my place within in.

Yes, I am definitely aware of their position. I just meant that upon my dismissal I was given the impression this was a legal decision and that HR, as well as my manager, got no say in the final decision. Also, yes I am aware that they can say anything about my employment, as long as it is factual. I spoke to HR again yesterday and they gave more details as to what they will say to a prospective employer and I won't elaborate but it did seem like they will give minimal information. I have already had one interview in which the interviewer was extremely understanding when the situation was described but it was a job where I submitted a resume, I didn't have to fill out an application. I am not 100% happy with the example I included but would love any advice as to something else to say. I can't imagine putting "wrongly accused of a HIPAA violation without proof" is going to look good to someone reading an application. Thank you for your thoughts. My references are excellent, as everyone I worked with was pleased with my work and shocked at my sudden dismissal.

That's the main reason that has kept me from looking in to an attorney. I don't want to be "that nurse" that sued her previous employer. It sounds cliche but I really do just want a job taking care of patients and making a living. I want to forget this ever happened.

Thank you! I am still weighing my options but will definitely consider doing that. I also heard that the new director over that dept (a LOT of restructuring happened just after I was let go that had nothing to do with my dismissal) said something along the lines of "we have to continue to put the patients first and offer them medical care, even if the offices can't be changed at this time" in response to another nurse from the department questioning if any changes were in the pipeline. This says to me that they apparently aren't too worried about the offices even if they fired me over it. Makes no sense to me at all.

Actually we even had a "boogie board" purchased by another one of the nurses to help better communicate with our severely HOH pts, as opposed to almost yelling at them and allowing others to hear more easily. We took steps to keep our patients' confidentiality in check within the confines of our offices and I still came out on the short end. So frustrating and hoping to find a new position soon.

I was thinking of using something along the lines of: "Following a difference of opinion over a situation, it was determined that moving forward I would no longer be the best fit in the department". Does that sound ridiculous or evasive??

There were certainly things said in emails and staff meetings but I have none of that now that I'm not an employee any longer. I don't want to say the state but I will say we have "at will employment" so I could be fired for my shoes being offensive to the eye and it wouldn't matter, as long as I'm not fired for a protected reason. I have thought about calling an attorney but mostly I just want to move on. I just want to find another job and forget these people treated me so badly.

There has been no attempt to fix the issues or the offices. The offices are literally the size of a large walk-in closet, there is barely room for a desk and some chairs for the patients. More than one person has used the word "scapegoat" hearing of this situation and I am inclined to agree.

I do have all personal contact info for my references. They are literally a supervisor, providers, and co-workers, if that tells you the reputation I had in that office. I had people coming out of the woodwork offering to be references. I think I'm more worried about them calling and getting HR and what will be said.

Thank you. I did have insurance but let it lapse due to other issues. Trust me, I am kicking myself now. I was thinking about the "not a good fit" reason but many of my references still work there and I don't know how that would play out if they were called.

I was told at the time of my termination that they would only state my dates of employment and that I was discharged for cause, not the reason given. The HR rep also specifically said "we will not give you a bad reference". They really did not want this to end the way it did. Or at least that was the impression I was given.

I'm actually not new to Allnurses but I created a new account, as I can't take too many chances of someone recognizing me. I'm sorry, it's just a complicated situation. So without revealing too many details, I was recently terminated for being accused of a HIPAA violation. A patient's family member accused me of saying things to the patient in an area of the office that other people could overhear. No one else confirmed this, the patient did not complain, and I disputed the claim. My manager fought to keep my job, as did the HR department. Legal basically said that the complainer was threatening a lawsuit and it would be better if I was terminated. I'm absolutely at a loss. My biggest issue is that at the clinic I worked for the offices were tiny and people in wheelchairs couldn't fit in with the door closed. That's basically what happened here and it has been complained about by the staff multiple times. I can't tell you how many times this was discussed and we told our managers that it was a very bad thing. It still has not been corrected and probably won't be any time soon so any other nurse in that dept has the danger of this happening to them. I guess I have two questions. One, what in the world should I put on applications as to reason for termination? I have excellent references and reviews but I feel like this is going to hang over my head like a stone. Every person I worked with is in shock, continues to say what an amazing nurse I am, and the general consensus is "if they can do it to her, they can do it to anyone". Two, should I report the clinic for not correcting an issue that is only going to cause more potential HIPAA complaints in the future? Thank you for your help!