terminated over the phone

[susan5864]

...Thats the thanks (and respect ) I get for 2 yrs of hard work and dedication. No write ups prior to warning just suspended for not hanging an IV bag of saline. Then when the pt went to the hosp (from LTC) not sure but I think it was 2 days after not receiving IV bag (was supposed to be changed each shift) they called to fire me insinuating I was the reason they went to hospital. BULL. Then I was given 2 other bogus reasons (which I can back up -are incorrect) Has anyone ever come accross this? I want to view my employee file (which we are entitled to under IL law) we can also look @ any paperwork surrounding termination. But not sure if that includes medical records, MAR, daily log Communication sheet etc. We can also make addenums to personal file if we dispute allegations. I want to find out when pt. went to hospital. Also she said I didnt chart something which I specifically remember charting. But it was on a chart where the pt came back from the hospital and no-one even charted her return. I wonder if they charted her readdmission then got rid of the page I charted. I just have alot of unanswered questions and am concerned about my reputation. Does anyone have experience with this type of situation? I know what the real reason was. New younger LPN's replaced me making less money. Signed Mad:angryfire and Glad :chuckle(not to be there anymore)

[RN1982]

If you are allowed to look at your employee file, are you allowed to make photocopies of any documents in it? Hopefully you'll find out what you need to know. Did you speak with any of your former co-workers regarding the patient that went to the hospital? what was their take on the situation?

As far as missing charting goes: If you charted it and they got rid of it, that's shady.

[medsurgrnco, BSN, RN]

Suspended over not hanging a new bag of IV NS and then terminated when the pt went to a hospital 2 days later??! Sounds like they had other motives for wanting to dump ya. Reasonable to want to look at pt file to answer your questions, but unfortunately do not know if this will be allowed. This should not hurt your reputation outside this working situation.

[susan5864]

If you are allowed to look at your employee file, are you allowed to make photocopies of any documents in it? Hopefully you'll find out what you need to know. Did you speak with any of your former co-workers regarding the patient that went to the hospital? what was their take on the situation?

As far as missing charting goes: If you charted it and they got rid of it, that's shady.

In Illinois they have to either let you look @ file or make you copies (which they can charge you for et. has to be a reasonable fee)they have 7 days to do this. If they do not comply after another 7 days you can contact The Dept of Labor. I have to find out about right to look at other documents contained within the facility.Thanks for your response!

[Kyrshamarks, BSN, RN]

Federal Law would prohibit you from looking at the chart unles a release has been signed by the patient allowing you to look at it. you are no longer an employee of the facility and thus are not entitled to look at a patients chart there.

[TazziRN, RN]

Once you are no longer employed you do not have a right to the charts anymore.

As for your employee file, you do have a right to see everything in there. Go for it. I was once falsely accused of diverting morphine and was on admin leave for 3 weeks while it was investigated. I was cleared and went back to work. A year later, after I left, I found out about a termination letter that was filled out and signed, all it needed was the date. They were so convinced I was guilty that they were ready to terminate me and were just waiting for the proof they were so sure was coming. Someone goofed and didn't remove it from my file when I was cleared. I was able to prove harassment because of this.