RN Disciplined While Waiting On Covid 19 Result

[INDY RN]

I am an RN working full time in the ED. Every shift I am subjected to below par PPE standards. Asked to re-use N95 and surgical masks for multiple patients, covid or not. So it was not to my surprise when I got a call informing me a patient I had provided care for later had a positive covid 19 test. I was informed to contact our employee health if I developed symptoms. A few days later I had a cough, sore throat, HA, fatigue and sneezing. I contacted my employee health as instructed, a test was ordered, I was instructed to remain at home til I received my results. Unfortunately I am still waiting......

My issue with the situation is that my employer has already let me know the repercussions of a negative test, should that be my result.

I will receive an occurrence for missing my shift while awaiting test results. (The quantine was orderd by employee health)

I will have to use my accrued PTO to cover any hours missed while in quantine awaiting my test results.

I will also have the weekend shifts I miss counted against me while in quantine awaiting results. Meaning I can have less weekend shifts off for the remainder of the year.

As an employee I have always helped when it comes to providing for our adopted Christmas family or the food drives. As an ED nurse I am in the frontline of this pandemic, caring for those in need, risking my own health for lack of PPE. This has been extremely difficult for me to understand how the hospital I work for can treat me this way as I await my results.

The community has been amazing and supportive of our ED staff. They have given snacks, meals, encouragement and thanks this entire time. However, the hospital I work for can't do the same. It is shameful to work for such an organization.

Is this OK? Is this fair?

[Wuzzie]

@DeaneB246 I hear you and I wish we could put something like that together quickly but I’m not optimistic. And for sure this isn’t going to be the last pandemic and we will be dealing with this one for a long time. Surges are expected later this year and I’m not optimistic that we will be any better prepared (at least where PPE supplies are concerned). That being said, right now the union is the only thing that is keeping us from being thrown under the bus and rolled over a couple of times for good measure. Fortunately the hospital admin is listening so I need to give them credit.

[INDY RN]

39 minutes ago, Wuzzie said:

@DeaneB246 Indiana does not have a nurses union unfortunately. Several years ago a nurse for the largest hospital network in IN attempted to organize, it did not end well for her career.

[Wuzzie]

Yeah, that’s often what happens. I’m hoping this crisis wakes up nurses everywhere. There’s power in numbers.

[rnpatrick]

It took Covid to get the world, media and lawyers to notice we exist. The cavalry is on the way. Keep your eye on the news and watch those administrators have to change their drawers.

[MangoSmoothie]

You can write your story anonymously and mail it in to Tucker Carlson, AOC, anyone from "The Squad", Hill "Rising" with Krystal and Saagar is absolutely incredible, you will find people willing to back you up. Nurses are the heroes right now, if everyone gets together and revolts and sheds light on these greedy hospitals and admins there can hopefully be some change in the way these people do business.

[rnpatrick]

So far, not one of the tv talking heads has responded. I've seen them all repeat the same stories. The print media is best for local firings of nurses and doctors. A national/international story will get tv talking specifically about managers firing and pulling masks off faces, etc. And how widespread it is.

[MangoSmoothie]

I don't know about who you have reached out too, but Krystal and Saagar have been highlighting stories from people who have reached out to them on Twitter.

[MangoSmoothie]

Also, definitely look into alternative media like TYT, Michael Brooks, Kyle Kulinski, Jimmy Dore, Ryan Grim of the Intercept, unfortunately these MSM anchors are all in with Big pharma, corporate hospitals, etc. The only way to get stories out there imo is help spread awareness of independent media, us regular people help build out an alternative media infrastructure and reduce these corporate MSM power. I hope someone advertises your story because it's truly gross and we can only get change when people are more fully informed about what's really going on. Good luck and thank you for stepping up and doing all that you do during this time.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

2 hours ago, INDY RN said:

So my result is NEGATIVE. I will have the occurrence and will use my PTO to cover my absence. Lucky for me it has only been 1 shift missed. I will contact HR and ask if during this time they are willing to look into the attendance policy in regard to this "fluid" situation. They have asked us to adapt as nurses. So I will ask in return they do the same. As ER staff, we are the hands and feet of the hospital during this world wide crisis. I like to hope if I present my situation in a non-threatning manner they will respond appropriately. I appreciate everyones support in this stressful situation.

Glad you’re OK! I would definitely appeal the occurrence though. There are other nurses who DO get sick more often, and while one occurrence wouldn’t impact you, it could impact other nurses. That doesn’t make it any less appropriate for THEM to follow guidelines.

And I do think it’s also a good idea to notify your local health department and OSHA. The former because that could get official public health directives to the hospital, and the latter because the lack of PPE is an occupational safety hazard.... literally why OSHA exists.

[Wizard 1]

Chris Hayes/MSNBC and Don Lemon/CNN have covered stories about this.

[LC0929, ASN, RN, EMT-B]

Hi All,

I am experiencing the same, but at a substance abuse/detox facility in a non-union state, however, we entered this mess with a skeleton staff, due to the inability to retain nurses. It is a complete disaster, within a disaster. I don't even know where to begin, but here goes....

The DON walked out at the end of February and had verbalized concern about COVID-19 at the end of January. Our client base, in detox, has increased from 7 beds in 2016 to 32 beds currently. Our nursing staff was 1/10 in 2016 and is now, at best, 2/32, sometimes 1/32 on nights. We have not only started admitting clients 24 hours, but are admitting higher acuity clients and more clients with dual diagnosis. We are accepting clients who are arriving via Lyft and Uber, whose drivers will stop at the liquor store, or anywhere else, if they request it. As a result of this, we have no way to know what substances or how much they have used on their way to us. We obviously do testing as part of the admissions process, but If someone takes a handful of Xanax in the parking lot, we have no way of knowing that. Over the last few months, we've had 2 APRN's resign, as well as RN's and 4 more RN's who were hired but didn't even finish orientation before they quit. We have all been working overtime, I have been working 4/12's weekly, just to cover all of the open shifts. We have had at least 3 LNA's resign and have had the same retention problems with any new LNA hires. We are all beat up, physically and emotionally from working too many hours, but just like anywhere else, we care about our colleagues as well as our clients so the guilt sets in when we know someone is working short. With all this against us, they continue to admit 24/7 without skipping a beat. In the past 2 months they have hired 4 administrators, 4 Utilization people and numerous admission screeners, however none of these folks have any medical credentials, so the their expectations make for uncontrolled, unsafe, extremely stressful situation. When the previous DON voiced concerns about implementing the 24 hour admissions, he was told to basically figure it out because it was going to happen.

Now here we are in the middle of this pandemic. Up until 3 days ago, the only precaution from COVID-19 that we we had in place, was having our temp taken upon arrival for our shift, no gloves, no masks, just take your temp. Three days ago, we received an email with instructions to wear gloves and paper masks while doing admissions, that was it. The catalyst for this was a client having symptoms and being tested, but curiously, any follow-up for his visit to the ED, including a test RESULT, has never been reported, uploaded, or much less, discussed. The new admin's intervention was to quarantine the client, but not anyone else in the building and strongly suggest that it not be discussed. It's completely unsafe, unethical and unbelievable but even worse than that it's disheartening. We (the nursing staff) are somewhat of a "family" and we all are very united in our fight against addiction. We all used to love coming to work. Now, not so much. We are concern for client safety as well as our own, but we are also extremely concerned about liability and the risk of putting our licenses in jeopardy if there's a tragedy.

So, now for the current situation. Last Sunday, one of the nurses, who is over 65, called out for her three shifts, after COVID-19 made its appearance. Shouldn't have been a big deal, but due to staffing, it was. It spread us all pretty thin. I woke up with a temp of 101.9 and a cough on Wed morning, so I called and said I wouldn't be in that night. I have Crohn's and have been taking prednisone so I was a little concerned. They were not. They were actually pissed. I woke up Thursday morning, had a temp, called and told them again I wouldn't be in and their response was to inform me that, "due to the circumstances", I would need a Dr's note to return to work. The next call I made was to my doc who promptly wrote a letter telling them I was quarantined until I had been symptom free for 72 hours. The next email that went out from Admin was an offer for a $500 bonus for any staff that referred a nurse to them. Nice.

I have been out of work since then, had a temp of 101.2 today. In the time I've been gone, they have not stopped or even slowed admissions, which come in from all over the country, usually via another facility or homeless shelter, or anywhere. The clients are still housed in in a communal situation, with no thought of social distancing. I am being job-shamed for not being there, which I expected, unfortunately I don't feel guilty. I feel bad about my colleagues working short, but not guilty and I'm actually not sure I'm going back when I'm able to. I am seriously torn. Ethically, I don't feel I can. Physically, I know I can't. Emotionally, I'm sad about all of it. Healthcare has become a business. I don't think I'm interested anymore. I'd rather go work at McDonalds than be part of anything that puts money before people. I hope you all stay safe and well out there. It's gonna be a long ride.

L.

[Willcont2montr, LPN]

31 minutes ago, LC0929 said:

Hi All,

I am experiencing the same, but at a substance abuse/detox facility in a non-union state, however, we entered this mess with a skeleton staff, due to the inability to retain nurses. It is a complete disaster, within a disaster. I don't even know where to begin, but here goes....

The DON walked out at the end of February and had verbalized concern about COVID-19 at the end of January. Our client base, in detox, has increased from 7 beds in 2016 to 32 beds currently. Our nursing staff was 1/10 in 2016 and is now, at best, 2/32, sometimes 1/32 on nights. We have not only started admitting clients 24 hours, but are admitting higher acuity clients and more clients with dual diagnosis. We are accepting clients who are arriving via Lyft and Uber, whose drivers will stop at the liquor store, or anywhere else, if they request it. As a result of this, we have no way to know what substances or how much they have used on their way to us. We obviously do testing as part of the admissions process, but If someone takes a handful of Xanax in the parking lot, we have no way of knowing that. Over the last few months, we've had 2 APRN's resign, as well as RN's and 4 more RN's who were hired but didn't even finish orientation before they quit. We have all been working overtime, I have been working 4/12's weekly, just to cover all of the open shifts. We have had at least 3 LNA's resign and have had the same retention problems with any new LNA hires. We are all beat up, physically and emotionally from working too many hours, but just like anywhere else, we care about our colleagues as well as our clients so the guilt sets in when we know someone is working short. With all this against us, they continue to admit 24/7 without skipping a beat. In the past 2 months they have hired 4 administrators, 4 Utilization people and numerous admission screeners, however none of these folks have any medical credentials, so the their expectations make for uncontrolled, unsafe, extremely stressful situation. When the previous DON voiced concerns about implementing the 24 hour admissions, he was told to basically figure it out because it was going to happen.

Now here we are in the middle of this pandemic. Up until 3 days ago, the only precaution from COVID-19 that we we had in place, was having our temp taken upon arrival for our shift, no gloves, no masks, just take your temp. Three days ago, we received an email with instructions to wear gloves and paper masks while doing admissions, that was it. The catalyst for this was a client having symptoms and being tested, but curiously, any follow-up for his visit to the ED, including a test RESULT, has never been reported, uploaded, or much less, discussed. The new admin's intervention was to quarantine the client, but not anyone else in the building and strongly suggest that it not be discussed. It's completely unsafe, unethical and unbelievable but even worse than that it's disheartening. We (the nursing staff) are somewhat of a "family" and we all are very united in our fight against addiction. We all used to love coming to work. Now, not so much. We are concern for client safety as well as our own, but we are also extremely concerned about liability and the risk of putting our licenses in jeopardy if there's a tragedy.

So, now for the current situation. Last Sunday, one of the nurses, who is over 65, called out for her three shifts, after COVID-19 made its appearance. Shouldn't have been a big deal, but due to staffing, it was. It spread us all pretty thin. I woke up with a temp of 101.9 and a cough on Wed morning, so I called and said I wouldn't be in that night. I have Crohn's and have been taking prednisone so I was a little concerned. They were not. They were actually pissed. I woke up Thursday morning, had a temp, called and told them again I wouldn't be in and their response was to inform me that, "due to the circumstances", I would need a Dr's note to return to work. The next call I made was to my doc who promptly wrote a letter telling them I was quarantined until I had been symptom free for 72 hours. The next email that went out from Admin was an offer for a $500 bonus for any staff that referred a nurse to them. Nice.

I have been out of work since then, had a temp of 101.2 today. In the time I've been gone, they have not stopped or even slowed admissions, which come in from all over the country, usually via another facility or homeless shelter, or anywhere. The clients are still housed in in a communal situation, with no thought of social distancing. I am being job-shamed for not being there, which I expected, unfortunately I don't feel guilty. I feel bad about my colleagues working short, but not guilty and I'm actually not sure I'm going back when I'm able to. I am seriously torn. Ethically, I don't feel I can. Physically, I know I can't. Emotionally, I'm sad about all of it. Healthcare has become a business. I don't think I'm interested anymore. I'd rather go work at McDonalds than be part of anything that puts money before people. I hope you all stay safe and well out there. It's gonna be a long ride.

L.

Do not go back.

This is an extremely unsafe situation.

I work in detox and once worked overnights in a place where I was the only nurse for 32 people at night with lax training and drugs being passed all night by newly hired staff who were high themselves.

I have seen meth in action at 2am and my heart is pounding as they are unpredicatable. I have warned my don repeatedly I would not admit patients at night because it was not safe.

My wake up call when when someone upstairs had relapsed (css) and was now crazed out of his mind because they (admin) told him they he wpuld have to be kicked out the next morning and left for the day. With out informing me. He still had drugs on him and was hanging out a window threatening suicide and they told me not to call the police they would come handle it.

Do they care about you? No. You need to never go back. The current detox I work in we have 2 nurses at night and during day and evening there are two sometimes 3 and my don makes clear that nurses judgement overides admin money makers.

There were so many things in your post that scared me.

This is a toxic unsafe environment. Please take the unemployment if you can figure out how while you rest.

There are other jobs even other detoxs not like what you are describing. And even those 24hr admissions ..no one walking in at midnight high or drunk is safe. Period.

While it may seem sometimes we are at their mercy no one can argue with your nursing judgement because its your liscense.

I hope you have the funds and resources to walk away from that job and personally I feel like they would probably have to eat that unemployment cost for a while especially with no ppe. Even short term disability if you have it.

Also,

Those ppl shaming you are not your friends. They were your "work friends" and sorry they dont care about you because they dont care about themselves.

Please leave that job.