I have resisted posting about this for a few months now. I keep hoping the pain will subside but nothing is shifting.
I had a patient complain about me. Can't, or won't, give details due to potential HIPPA violation. Let it suffice to say this was a patient well known to the hospital. A wise employee n was sure to have another employee in the room for every encounter, and I did.
I returned from lunch to find out that the patient had called patient relations, who called the unit manager. I was removed from the patient's care with no explanation as to what had been said. As I'm giving report to the nurse taking over the patient the nurse tells me " (the patient) called you vile" (definition - morally bad, wicked).
I work for a system wide pool so my manager is off site. I called her Monday morning (incident occurred Friday 7a-7p shift) to tell her briefly what had happened and to give her a heads up that I was sending a very detailed email and would appreciate her feedback after she read it. Left her a message Tuesday morning since I hadn't heard from her. Emailed her Thursday asking her to call. She finally called Friday morning on my hospital issue phone while I was back at work on that same unit. She vilified me! Told me "very serious accusations were made about you" but wouldn't tell me what they were. She cited things contrary to the very detailed email I had sent her. Repeatedly. I wasn't written up or placed in any sort of corrective action, just "counseled" which went like this "the next time you discharge a patient ask them 'is there anything I can do to facilitate your discharge'" (yes, the above mentioned patient was scheduled to be discharged).
This manager is a person whom I had worked for a year. I found her to be a straight shooter, professional and fair. She didn't always tell me what I wanted to hear but she was always respectful. I felt she had my back. It's difficult to go from hospital to hospital, floor to floor, and down right impossible if you have no support for when the crap gets stirred (because we all know that it can and does). I feel betrayed, shamed and fearful for my job. I was cancelled 6 out of the next 10 shifts immediately after this. The entire year prior I had been cancelled maybe 3 times.
Looking for insight from wise peers. Yes, I know, look for another job. I have been and will continue to do so. I have no doubt about the necessity of that plan of action. My problem is that I am demoralized by this. Thought I had thicker skin but this has wrecked me. To be called "vile", among other things that I don't know, and to have that accusation supported by someone I respected is too much. Advice please and please be gentle. This is a very open wound.
