Should I be worried about losing my job?

[cassieann20]

I am a CNA and today I went into work at 6am. The DON came around the corner and asked if I could come to her office. When we got to her office she told me that I was being send home because there is a formal complaint and an open investigation about me. She said this well the door was open and another CNA was listening which I thought was rude. I said what does the investigation involve and she said she cant tell me and I needed to wait till the Director came in. I waited in the break room crying my eyes out for three and a half hours. I was going home till I got my answers. At about 930 I went into the directors office and he told me there where 2 formal complaints filed against me. He told me I had nothing to worry about and I would need to come in Monday to fill out paper work. I asked if he could tell me what I did wrong so maybe I can improve something he told me no not yet. But with his findings he couldn't see that I did anything wrong that he needs to follow the rules and send me home. I love all my residents and couldn't imagine one let alone two complaining about me. Has this happened to anyone else? are they allowed to not tell me about the complaints? should I be worried about loosing my license?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Whenever an allegation of neglect or abuse has been made in LTC, most LTC facilities have a policy of sending the accused employee home until the investigation is completed. After all, if the allegation ends up being substantiated, the facility could be fined heavily for knowingly allowing an abusive or neglectful employee to continue working with vulnerable elderly residents.

If the allegation cannot be substantiated, the administrator and DON typically allow you to return to work. With the manner in which your administrator is speaking (claiming he couldn't see that you did anything wrong), I suspect the allegations cannot be substantiated. Good luck to you.

[cassieann20]

Going in for a meeting now, thank you!

[floridanurse1983]

So what was the outcome?

[Gooselady, BSN, RN]

Wow, that is AWFUL

Even worse, that you couldn't be TOLD what your 'charges' were That would have destroyed my serenity for a LONG time I hope your meeting went well (ha) for you, and your three hours of tears and dread are well behind you. This just isn't RIGHT to treat an employee like this UNTIL they are 'proven' guilty as charged . . . but maybe there isn't a better way worked out yet.

Sometimes I feel so badly for nurses and CNA's working in LTC, the conditions you work under are dehumanizing to you and the patients in many cases. And this bit about 'you are suspended, sorry I can't tell you why' is just cruel. Keep us updated when you can :)

[cassieann20]

Sorry haven't been on for a while!!! Well outcome was I returned back the next day. I got lucky because the day the incident took place I was bringing the resident back to her room to lay her down because she had leg pain. Thank god the director was standing outside the door waiting for me to lay her down because he was doing a tour with another family and wanted to show them the room. He heard me talking to the resident and he said I was not being abusive or neglecting the resident because he would've heard it since he was standing right outside the door. And they talked to the resident again and she admitted to lying. Although everyone was talking saying I "abused" a resident it was hard for me. I turned it into a learning experience and I hope this never happens again!

[caliotter3]

Congratulations on your close call. Just be mindful that this could happen again, it is the nature of the LTC beast. You just have to keep on doing a good job and knowing inside that you treat your residents with dignity and respect. Good luck to you.