So mad I could spit nails

[jnrsmommy]

I apologize in advance is this is long and rambles, but I just need to get it out.

I am a new employee in a LTC facility that surprisingly I love being at (never thought I was a LTC kind of nurse). So the thought of voluntarily quitting is not an option at this point. Myself, another nurse (whom I will call X), and 6 CNAs make up the whole night shift crew (new mgmt took over before we all started, made changes, getting new people). About 2 weeks ago, X got called to the office because of some accusations against her (sleeping on the job, not giving meds, not doing other nursing duties required at night), as well as accusations of other staff members sleeping at night. This in turn led to all of us being questioned by mgmt as well as nurses on other shifts being questioned about us. Well, long story short, ppl did admit to starting to nod off occasionally (it gets very slow on our unit and boredom does set in), but never slept (you know, like when ur head starts to dip down and back up several times). When we've noticed that happening to anyone, we let them know they're starting to fall asleep, have them go to their car for their 30min break and take a nap. To me, there's nothing wrong w/ that, we're covered, and they are entitled to 30min that is already docked anyway.

Well, X and another CNA (I will call Y) were suspended while they finish their "investigation", and myself and another CNA (I will call Z) were put on probation. I was the last to get spoken to, and was told during the talk that everyone who had made a statement admitted to sleeping on the job (mgmt saying full out sleeping in the day room w/ pillow and blankets) and that several people said that I have done it too. Pardon me, but it's complete crap. I honestly think they were fishing to see what I would say (I've used this tactic on my kids many times). They also said that I should have known about some of the accusations against X and been there to correct it from happening (not giving pain meds, not doing chart checks, tube feeding that wasn't hung all night). I'm sorry, but I have plenty of my own duties to take care of, I should not be having to watch over every little thing that she does.

Now X is upset because she and Y were suspended (they are black), and myself and Z were put on probation (we are hispanic). She wants to turn this into a race issue (because the last several nurses in our facility that were fired were all black. Doesn't look good I know, but their work record spoke loudly that they needed to go).

Z is a friend (in fact, we were all good friends outside of work). I was talking to her, and she told me that she wanted to give me a heads up, that she had been talking to Y, who had been talking to X (I know, the gossip line can't always be trusted), but that Y told her that X is going to be making a new statement today that everyone sleeps on nights, we turn the call system off so that we don't have to answer lights, that she knows of times when I would go to sleep, that I do not give my meds at night, and that she believes I have been diverting narcs. :angryfire:angryfire:angryfire

I was told during my questioning that the basis of the accusations came from a resident who is bedbound, who has advanced alzheimers, who complained that she would call all night and not get checked on. Which again, is not true, you could clean her, walk out of the room, and she would be on the light saying that no one has been in to see her. Also, why not check w/ her roommate, who is completely A&O, and who has actually been getting upset for the lack of sleep she's been getting due to the constant traffic of staff in the room to assist the first resident.

So now I'm put on probation, I have a ton of extra duties (meaning paperwork) that I have to do while on probation that has to be turned in to the DON every day that I work. If I do not turn these in or if I commit any infarction, I will be immediately terminated. Now to hear that X will be making a new statement saying these things has me mad and scared. I do believe there is some truth to what I'm told because the last time I talked to her, she was very indifferent towards me, and has since refused my calls and not answered texts I have sent. I love this job, even though they have me scheduled by myself for 60 residents, even though I have 3 times my normal workload, and getting out an hour late because I do not want to be fired. I have never encountered a situation like this before, and I have never had these type of accusations made against me. So I can't sleep, sitting here waiting to see if the phone will ring and the caller ID will show work.

*I do want to say that the purpose of this thread is not about sleeping on the job, this is just me venting about unfounded and completely untrue accusations being made about me*

[racing-mom4, BSN, RN]

You may have loved your job and your patients, but take this as a big glarring sign.....GET OUT. Not worth it. Your not going to change them and you will drive your self crazy in the process/. Cut your losses and start job searching. Best of luck@!@!

[MrsMommaRN]

i am sorry to read about the things your coworkers have said and done. the way is sounds is like it is going to be a battle of he said she said. each time the other gets miffed about something new reports will be filed adding to the accusations.

the environment you are in sounds toxic. there are many many other places that you can find that would welcome your enthusiasm. what you can do is give your two weeks along with documentation of your account of the said events.

i hope things get better or start to work out. this will pass.

[DebRN06]

You need to find another job and RUN, not walk, outta there!! Even if things calm down, you are always going to have to watch your back. Sounds like your co-worker is the type of person that doesn't care if she even throws herself under the bus as long she as gets revenge, although unwarrented.

Since you can't sleep anyway...look for a new job!!

I'm sorry your dealing with "high school" drama. Good luck.

[mpccrn, BSN, RN]

RUN do not walk to a new position elsewhere. i'm glad you love LTC. lord knows i couldn't do it. there are many facilities you can choose from. find one that will appreciate you.

[RN1989]

CYA woman! Not only are they messing with your job, your entire livelihood could be at stake. Get everything documented now before you forget. Names, dates, places, who said what, even if it is gossip. It can all help keep you from getting permanently hurt by these vicious people.

[RN1982]

Just get out while you can. It's not worth it.

[leslie :-D]

if you do decide to quit, i would write a statement, telling the entire truth:

your knowledge or lack of, re others sleeping, not sleeping...whatever it is.

i would also come clean (if applicable) to what you did and didn't do.

whatever the outcome, i always believe in the truth setting one free.

leslie

[RN1982]

That whole place sounds toxic. At my last job we had a CNA who was the exact same way. If she was going down, she was gonna bring down someone or everyone with her. When she got fired, she told the nurse manager that everyone on the night shift sleeps. Ok, yes, we did go take a 45 minute nap. We were entitled to an hour break according to our employee handbook. The manager didn't care as long as the patients were taken care of which they were. But I couldn't believe that she felt the need to tell the manager that. Yeah, we sleep but we didn't go off somewhere else in the hospital, fall asleep for two hours and get caught by security like she did which got her fired. What a genius.

[BradleyRN]

we turn the call system off so that we don't have to answer lights

There is a way to turn the call system off???

[litbitblack, ASN, RN]

get out now. listen to everyone on here. I didn't when I really should have and look...I got fired and am still fighting for my pto

[BEDPAN76]

Another reason to carry malpractice insurance. If this crap makes it to your Board of Nursing, unfortunately they will probably take it seriously and launch a hellish investigation of your license.