Seeking Advice

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I'm a well seasoned nurse of 23 years, two days ago, my unit manager fired me for falsication of documents, I won't get into the details about her arrival and what she's trying to do to the unit, I simply ask you all to take my word for it. Human Resources has her back, and it's my PRN job. The point to this would be that I never seen proof, she said there was no sign that I took a few patients temperatures because the area was blank on the vital cart. We don't sign into these machines like my other job, plus I used a handheld, hence why the temperatures didn't show up on the moving cart. The company has fired me for "falsication of records" My question that I present to you would be this: This accusation is so foul to me, I sacrifice everything as a nurse, holidays, loved ones and my body. Would any of you seek legal advice for the priciple alone?

OP, do you live in an "at will" state?

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I think the advice, Been there, done that gave regarding seeking legal counsel is wise. If the BON somehow got wind of the accusation, they might choose to investigate and possibly discipline-falsification of information is a rather serious allegation. Personally, I would opt to head this off at the pass and have the peace of mind that only an attorney specializing in such matters could provide.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Pediatrics.

I have been a nurse for almost 30 years, I would just let it go and move on. I would be livid, but to me it is not worth a fight, (time, money, stress...etc) it is PRN job, and you will not win! I can tell you that much. Just take your loss, and remember HR is NOT your friend EVER in any circumstance. Just document everything!

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Specializes in Educator.

Are you SURE this won't have a negative impact on your license? Many states require that terminations be reported to the Board. That does not necessarily mean that action will be taken. Talking to an attorney would not hurt in this situation.

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Do you have any coworkers that witnessed you taking temperatures at anytime you have been working there? It's definitely a law suit if they truly accused you of falsifying documentation when you didn't.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Being fired in my state "for cause" ie falsification of documentation will get you reported to the BON.

Are you SURE this won't be reported?

I would consult a lawyer vs waiting to see if the BON gets involved

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Specializes in Psych, Peds, Education, Infection Control.

Not sure of OP's state, but I recently discovered (when dealing with an entirely separate staff issue) that if a nurse is fired for a patient care-related concern in my state, it should be reported to the board. They don't pursue everything, but they want to know. Which makes sense, I suppose, but it also explains the serious backlog the state faces in getting to legitimately serious issues...

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Specializes in ER.

I would go on the offensive. The burden of proof is on her, not you.

Ask the police the procedure to charge her with slander. Ask the Board about reporting false accusations. Let HR you will be doing both if she doesn't back down. The error was because of faulty equipment, and presumeably all the nurses have had the same issues at times. But you still need to resign, because the target is on your back. Alternatively, you can let her rave on, fire you, and then appeal it and sue her ass off.

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Sometimes we have to pick our battles. If you seek legal action, is there anyway they have evidence to counter your argument? If they do not have any evidence, then you have a case. If they can prove their definition of falsification of documents, which lead to the termination, then I'm afraid it'll be a hard case to win... You can always speak with an attorney to see if you have a case. They will not waste time if there is no case and you'll have your answer.

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On 1/21/2019 at 7:45 AM, morte said:

why could this not affect your license? if they truly believe you did that, they should report you to the board. and it is libel.

It won't have any impact on my liscens because there's I did nothing wrong, however, to protect myself, I think I should have this addressed by a legal expert. So you have an excellent point. The ugly truth is this: Hospitals are run like hotels and we have 'cunstomer' feedback these days. When the managers scores fall on his or her unit (which they always do because we're not dealing with people on vacation) then the manager will cut a few head's (this way he or she can tell upper management, " yes my scores are down but I got rid of some bad apples") that's the first line of defense until the nursing manger eventually is terminated. It's just my first time that I was one of the "bad apples" and I do my job with my heart. This is what makes me to seek justification..

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8 minutes ago, lcc010 said:

It won't have any impact on my liscens because there's I did nothing wrong, however, to protect myself, I think I should have this addressed by a legal expert. So you have an excellent point. The ugly truth is this: Hospitals are run like hotels and we have 'cunstomer' feedback these days. When the managers scores fall on his or her unit (which they always do because we're not dealing with people on vacation) then the manager will cut a few head's (this way he or she can tell upper management, " yes my scores are down but I got rid of some bad apples") that's the first line of defense until the nursing manger eventually is terminated. It's just my first time that I was one of the "bad apples" and I do my job with my heart. This is what makes me to seek justification..

It may not matter if you did anything wrong, "perception" is sometime reality and if you are reported to your state's BON, you may very well be in a position of having to defend your license. Again, I would meet with an attorney that is knowledgeable in this particular area and know your options. It may also be that you have a case for wrongful dismissal or a hostile work environment, but at the least, you should have representation if this escalates further.

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No proof, she accused me of something shoddy and couldn't back it up with evidence, I was so shocked about it and left the hospital, I should have addressed it with HR right away but I was basically pissed off and didn't think about it at the moment

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