Seeking guidance on tricky situation

[Nascar nurse]

Here's the problem... I have a resident that is "out to get me". Yep, I can't even believe I actually typed that. Sounds just like something some very inexperienced "whiny" person would say...but I'm telling you I'm in trouble and I don't know how to handle it. This resident is alert & oriented X3 with no cognitive problems per MDS. Has no actual psych diagnosis on file, although has history of use of psych meds & family admits he has spend time in a psych facility when younger.

Several weeks ago, DURING STATE SURVEY he reported me for abuse (verbal & general mistreatment) to a STATE SURVEYOR. As per policy, I was suspended pending investigation immediately. These allegations were investigated separately by both the facility staff and by the surveyors. In both investigations, the resident was unable to give even one example of something concrete that I ever said or did to him. Both investigations reported that resident consistently strayed off topic.. told of things how I used to lock him and his wife up in the basement..years ago wouldn't give him food, etc. (Before I forget..my facility is on a concrete slab and doesn't even have a basement)! Anyways, I was returned to regular duties and the state surveyors ended their investigation as unsubstantiated complaint. Needless to say, the whole incident was more distressing to me than I can begin to put into words. In 20 some years of being a nurse, I have always had excellent evaluations and residents/families alike have always "loved" me.

Within a week of being back to work, the resident and his son come into my office (shared with DON & she was also present). The resident apologizes to me and says he misses being my friend. Asks me to forgive him for past mistakes. I respond to him (in front of DON & his son) that what he said and did was very personal to me and that it would just have to be a one day at a time thing..take it day by day until hurt feelings are resolved. Son tells resident..that is more than you deserve Dad.

Fast forward to today..one of the nurses comes to me & reports that this resident spent most of the weekend telling some of the aides that "I got her in trouble once and now I've got a great plan to set her up and get her in trouble again. This time she is sure to get fired". I am a well liked "boss" and the nurses and aides luckily "have my back". They come report what he says & openly go above my head to tell the E.D. what is being said to try and prevent further damage.

The powers that be say they are going to ask him to seek alternative placement, but there has been no real commitment on their part to see this thru. In my opinion this man is 1. hurting my reputation with other residents 2. Jeopardizing my livelyhood and could potentially put jeopardize my license.

He is playing a game and seems to get a kick out of it and unfortunately he is winning. Help me understand how to protect myself!

[suanna]

Alert and oriented, no psyc diagnosis? I wonder if you have a basis for a personal injury law suit? I would talk to your DON and make no bones about wanting something done about this persons personal attacks. Violence against nurses in the workplace is no longer OK. This persons behavior is an attack- it dosen't have to be physical to be violence. Your local chapter of your state nurses association may be able to help. Don't just let this drop- you need to protect your professional reputation and your licence. It is a fine line to walk with HIPPA issues, but consider this: if an alert, oriented patient raped a nurse, there wouldn't be any doubt about her ability to press charges and expect justice. You cannot expect less.

[KarmaWiseRaven]

Nascar, I'm sorry this is happening to you. First off i would tell you in dealing or future dealings with that person have someone with you. There are residents out to get people for a number of reasons. (1) could be you remind him of someone who did him harm in the past. (2) he want's to cause so much trouble that he get's kicked out in hopes he gets taken back home and not to another home.

(3) He see's you as an authority figure and might feel women should not be in that position. Everything you do for him Chart It tell your aids to do the same they are your eye's and ear's on the floor and make sure everyone is on the same page about this person.

Maybe talk about changing care plan to the DON, SS Director, I have seen this before and most of the time it blows over. If your place of employment is looking for another place for him i would push that issue and i mean really push it.

Or call the son back in for a meeting and tell him what's been said when and to who let him decide Or the next time he does it tell your work and the family member your filling a suit against him.

Look how much damage he has caused you so far now he's plotting to really try to get you fired. I think a 3 day vacation was enough and i don't care being forced to saying sorry after the damage was done doesn't reverse anything. To the State even thou the matter is closed you know as well as i do if they get another report on your place of employment they will look at you First then go down the line and it might not even involve you. I hope i could help and I'm really sorry this is happening to you. These are my thoughts use them as you wish

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

I personally think that some sort of charges should be filed if possible, even if charges do not stick. This person's lies have caused you harm, to your reputation and to you financially d/t suspension. While the charges may not stick, it does provide a paper record as this Pts behavior worsens and he harasses others. You also have this blot on your record, which though proven unsubstantiated, may show up later if anything untoward occurs in your facility.

It also puts things in perspective, hopefully deterring others from making false allegations and may also push the PTB to do something concrete to protect staff. The family may be forced to push for psych care, the facility to protect staff better against false allegations.

Too many places blow this stuff off, but it is the nurses that suffer the damage.

[debRN0417]

CCM is right. Listen to the voice of experience.

[Nascar nurse, ASN, RN]

Update..

Ombudsman has been into visit. I did not personally speak to him, but he did meet with resident and family and gave them info on finding alternative placement. He kindly suggested that they would probably be more satisfied in a new place (he was trying to "spin it" as their idea but he was backing us and our concerns).

I was informed today that family is being issued a 30 day notice that we are no longer adequately able to meet his needs and they must begin looking for placement (with our help of course).

Resident has been more appropriate to me..he pretty much ignores me & I ignore him, although he does complain to his kids that I ignore him. Duh! What do you expect me to do!

[Pfiesty]

Oh, my heart aches for the poor staff! Alll of them! To protect the nurses as well as the facility, I agree with my colleagues that this guy needs a psych eval.

If everything posted here has been documented, it should not be so much a worry about regulatory agencies, because: Just recently, during state survey two residents (different wings) reported rough treatment and verbal abuse TO THE STATE SURVEYORS (!) during phase one. It triggered the entire abuse pathway for the whole facility. Multiple surveyors investigated thoroughly. The end result was no cites. It was repeated manipulative behavior and unsubstantiated complaints on each count when both oriented, alert residents could not tell who, when and how and showed other manipulative behaviors and changing stories, etc. There was plenty of documentation.

I agree: buddy system and document!

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

I think I have his sister in MY facility! I'm not a DON, ADON or even an RN..but I swear you have described my resident from hell! We now have to have 3 people if any interaction with our resident need to take place. and we are being very limited on who can even go in the room! She has made false accusations against 75% of my shift! Crazy! However, my facility chain of command, just keeps pacifying the family and the resident.

I really feel for you and totally understand your frustration and fears of what his plotting/scheming can cause you in terms of your reputation and license! I know its not much but I can only offer a "cyber" hug and my support.

[caliotter3]

I have worked in places where one or two of this type resided. They did not get very far most of the time because TPTB did not pay much more attention to their false complaints than to any other concerns in the facilities. Best to always have a witness accompany you, document, and follow up. Hope he is gone.

[Nascar nurse, ASN, RN]

It took long enough but I am happy to report back that this resident was moved to another facility. There was a small party amongst those of us that have been suspended due to this persons behavior over the past few months.

While I will always be a supporter of the safe guards in place that prevent resident abuse but it is a shame that just because I am a healthcare worker there is little to no recourse that protects me and my reputation.

I have been extremely fortunate to 1. Have the position of ADON - that at least held some credibility that maybe a CNA may not have had. 2. I have known/worked with many of my coworkers for 10 years or more. They know me well and know I have never mistreated a resident. 3. My company actually backed me (actually a couple of us) and issued a 30 day notice to a "paying customer" even tho census is a struggle lately.

Counting my lucky stars tonight that all is right in the world, at least for the moment. I appreciate all of your support.

[caliotter3]

Glad to read that you got a positive resolution to this problem.

[GRACERN47]

So very sad when residents are mad at their families for "putting them in a nursing home" and they pick out one person to blame. Unfortunately it is usually the nicest or prettiest or whatever positive thing they may see. Your lucky you employer has stood by you. Rarely does mine ask anyone to leave.