Scape Goat

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Long Term Facilitly.

I have been requested by the facility I work at to write a statement that I verbally reported. When I verbally reported the situation, to my knowledge no action was taken. Several days later, after a series of events...they terminate this person. Now they want me to put my verbal report in writing. When I verbally reported what I had seen, the DON stated to me many reasons why my verbal report was basically not credible. I do believe this will go to court...and I do not wish to put anything in writing for many reasons. I know this is very vague...but I need to be very vague. This situation has been going on for several years at this facility, and many staff have been affected by this. The facility is trying to blame this one individual for the final outcome of their denial of the situation and not taking the appropriate measures years ago. If I put anything on paper in will be the truth, the WHOLE TRUTH. This will be very bad for the company. I explained I am very uncomfortable....but got the dagger look. What should I do, I have been told my job is in jeopardy if I do not write this.

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find yourself a lawyer today. Do not put anything in writing or sign anything until you do! And start looking for a new job. Good luck.

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Specializes in LTC.

Get a lawyer.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

Do not put anything in writing. THey do not have the legal right to force you into making the complaint and they won't hesitate to crucify you if you do.

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I would hire a lawyer as this has been suggested by others.

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Consult a lawyer. I don't know if you actually need to hire a lawyer, but you can talk with one and he or she will tell you what needs to be done.

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You can kiss the job good bye, it went down the highway when you made this report. Yes, you are required to give the report in writing unless you want to withdraw the whole thing, not possible at this point. I agree that you should speak to an attorney before providing the report, and start looking for a new job the day before you gave your verbal report. This is what happens to people who report wrongdoing. Punished more harshly than anybody who was involved with the illegal or unethical behavior.

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Specializes in Neuroscience/Neuro-surgery/Med-Surgical/.

As the above mentioned....get a lawyer and dust off the resume!

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

When you feel like you are drowning, keep your mouth shut.

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At the time your verbal report was accepted even with the qualifying statement by the DON, then only AFTER several days and subsequent action a written report was "required"? I wouldn't write anything. The facillity acted on knowledge apparently without adaquete proof, or they have other people reporting similar issues. I agree, time to dust of the resume however.

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In most cases, management is well aware of wrongdoing and their silence and looking in the opposite direction is their way of condoning the behavior if they are not a direct source of the behavior to begin with. When someone reports the behavior, they punish the reporter because they don't want to deal with it and they don't want their complicity to come to light. It forces them to do their job at the very least. It might force them to rearrange things if any of them are directly involved. The reporter is a thorn in their side that they swiftly deal with. Surely, you didn't think you could get away with serious allegations and not be expected to formalize them with a written statement? Where would you be if there is a formal investigation by the authorities two years from now and there is no written record of your report? How will you clear yourself then? See the attorney and look for the new job. Next time, think about the consequences for you before you start bringing forth such info to your management. Good luck with finding a new job.

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Consult with a lawyer for advice.

Put nothing in writing until you talk to said lawyer.

Look for another job. This job is over. You will not have a successful career here any longer so start looking ASAP and get out before they start to really torture you.

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