Received a complaint

ays1974indiana · Dec 29, 2003

graduated may 2003 with my lpn diploma and took a position at a nursing home that serves MR/DD. The in house census is at 60 and has been that way since I have started. (This is my 4th week working there.) Well, my first day there, state was there on a complaint. A nurse I graduated with has been there for 5 months and told me that it was about patient rights. Well, the end of my first week was hell. We only had 2 CNA's and 2 Nurses, so I had to help out with CNA work, no big deal right? I am still doing it til this day because they want to not show up or call off just because they want to have a day off. Then last week a CNA got suspended for hitting a res and blackening her eye. There goes another CNA. Then this week one of the LPN's calls off and leaves me by myself with 60 residents, 2 CNA's, kitchen people and 1 Activity person. Guess what happened? Anything and everything imaginable. This has also gone on since I have started, there are also around 3-5 residents almost every day falling and incident reports being written or residents getting into fights. I'm beginning to hate nursing. 2 nurses have threatened to quit already, and I think they are. State has been called on them again anonymously by word of mouth. These res. are getting no quality care whatsoever. I am finding that 4 res now have pressure ulcers on their scrotums and hip/buttock areas. Food trays being removed from a few for them eating too slow, the CNA's tell them they do not have time and just give them liquids and tell them to be on time for eating or hurry up and eat! I tell you what I think I am going to quit too. I do not want my lic pulled from me. My aunt who works for an ambulance service warned me not to even apply there. She said the State closed them down a few years ago for things of that nature or worse. I found online a report where they were being vs. by medicare and medicaid and had to pay monies back for some things. I told my mom about this and she said that I cant just quit on them because I have already quit a nursing job in a nother town due to the shift I was working did not work out with me and travelling 20 miles at 4 am and then get to bed at 5am and get up to take my son to school at 7 am and turn around and go in at 2 pm! also the gas prices being so high. (I live with my bf, he doesnt work and sits the 2 kids .) She said I have to at least stick it out for 4 years or no one will hire me that I will be a bad referneced nurse. But.....should I stay or go? I feel that the res arent being treated good at all. This is my vent. Let me know what you all think of this situation?

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Dec 29, 2003

I would get out of there- and I have left several places like that. And...you asked for opinions- If your bf had a job that would take a lot of pressure off of you financially.

If you lose your license working there, you won't be able to get a nursing job anywhere.

I would leave.

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Dec 29, 2003

Angie -- That place sounds like a news story in the making.

Please prepare to bail ASAP.

fab4fan · Dec 30, 2003

ays1974: With all due respect, your Mom doesn't know what she is talking about.

True, it doesn't look good to quit two jobs so closely together, but it's a lot easier to explain that than to explain a disciplinary action by the BON. And you are at great risk for that to happen...or worse.

Start applying now; actually, you don't even need to include this job on your resume. Once you've been there for a while, it will be harder to leave it off.

Good luck...do not risk your license for them. They will leave you high and dry the first chance they get. They do not care about you, so you need to take care of yourself.

Makes you hope that when they are old and sick that they get the same kind of treament they are trying to dish out.

Nurse Ratched, RN · Dec 30, 2003

Great response, fab4!

As for the OP, retaliation for whistleblowing is too common. That's why so many people are afraid to do it.

I don't expect you to get into the specifics of the complaint made against you on a public BB, but I encourage you to retain a lawyer anytime you are dealing with a legal matter. It says nothing about your guilt or innocence, only that you are too smart to leave your future in the hands of others with no one representing you. And your (former) workplace is definitely not going without legal representation.

This is also another great reason we should all carry Liability Insurance.

mattsmom81 · Dec 31, 2003

I agree retaliationfor 'making waves' is very very common. I was reported vindictively to my BON by a fellow supervisor because I filed a grievance regarding his behavior. Of course there was no meat to the accusations, but whenever a nurse is reported the BON must investigate even if bogus. It is a very draining ordeal and I can empathize with how you feel.

Get an attorney...preferably a RNJD. You need good representation in medical legal matters. Believe me you don't want to do this alone.

Everything turned out OK with me and I hope it goes well for you too. :cool:

Nurse Soc Mom · Dec 31, 2003

To: Nurse Ratched,

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately my previous employer closed the office and subsequently it got sold to 2 other companies. I am truly thankful I have nursing insurance. Please everyone make sure you carry insurance.:

Nurse Soc Mom · Dec 31, 2003

To: Matts Mom 81

Thanks for the reply and I will let you know how it turns out.

Happy New Year.

fergus51 · Dec 31, 2003

4 YEARS?! I have never stayed at a job that long, and believe me, I have no trouble finding work. Run, don't walk, from that hellhole.

jacey · Dec 31, 2003

You should be able to contact EEOC a federal agency in your State and report retaliation for riling a grievance If you reported illegal requests made by your supervisor that you could not participate in you are protected and if they find in your favor you could be rewarded up to $ 250,000 for an employer deliberatley taking retaliation for your filing a grievance or refusing to do something illegal. Most pleople don't follow thru on this type of thing but an employee cannot retaliate against you even if your grievance was incorrect if you thought you were doing the right thing. Look up you local EEOC office talk to them and see what they say or contact a lawyer. Also, if you have any medical dx Post tramatic Stress Disorder you are protected by the Human Rights Commision in your area . All you have to do is find them and tell your story if they take the case they cover the costs. Don't let them get away with this kind of thing. It is illegal for an employer to retaliate against employees who report problems in good faith. Good luck :kiss

j9rn · Jan 20, 2004

Well, I can commiserate. I work in a LTC and because of funding cuts, the night shift(which I work) has suffered the most. And we are pushed to do more and more. My DON has threatened to turn me into BON for neglect when I refused to do a tx on a confused terminal COPD res. It took half an hour to an hour to do -- depending on level of her confusion. It took two people to do the tx and guess what!! It was me and one CNA for 22 Medicare res. all pretty fresh out of the hosp. Hmm who would have been neglected there. Of course the one assigning tx's works day shift where there are a nurse manager, nurse, ward clerk/CNA and 3 CNA's on the floor. DUH Now, what is safer during day shift or at night when the confused are more so?