As a brand new grad nurse, I took a part-time job at a small facility right near my house. Received about 8-9 hours training that consisted of two med passes and set out on my own-as the only nurse on the shift. In the last two months I had been concerned as the Dept Head would not give me promised direction, training or even answer my questions, instead she got defensive and shut down. When I did not get answers there, I went to the Sgts. on duty, then to the Superintendent, who all referred me back to the Dept. Head, who would not respond to me! Been there abot 2 months and had grave concerns the whole time.
Despite feeling uncomfortable with duties, I continued, hoping it would change, and looking for education on my own to learn more. I had just begin gathering P&Ps from other facilities that did have in place (Chest pain, hypo/hyperglycemia, Withdrawal scales, suicide assessments, etc.). No Glucgon or any emergency kits for ANYTHING other than an AED. There was a lot wrong with this picture.
A LPN who also works there is very afraid for her license as well and we talked. She is working hard to learn corrections nursing standards and even attended a national conference on her dime. Has left books and talked to Head RN till blue in face, again just defenses go up, no actual changes oreven guidance.
Then Thursday two things happened- they didn't want to send out a pt with BG of 589 and very high BP, numbness on l side, rad pain 5/10..... Finally did after I interrupted a staff meeting.
THEN..... that night a pt who was severely psychotic and tearing the skin off his face, having hallucinations of tactile nature... trying to assess him since he isn't on meds the CO accompanying me gets mad because I won't just agree that yes, someone that is invisible is trying to continually give you an injection in your arm..... Thinks I am being condescending by asking standard assessment questions and trying to see how deep his psychosis is. Obviously no psych training there....
Had a long conversation to the Sgt on duty about the Head of Nsg being ineffective (his words) and does nothing (his words) and how change does need to happen, but nothing gets done. I told him how I was getting the info regrding others policies since with that in hand, maybe they will put
So I don't get any sleep and yesterday I went in and lo and behold, my termination letter awaits. THANK GOD was my first thought! I had discussed this issue at length with peers at my day job and decided to wait until boss came back from vacation to talk to her and if I was ignored again or no response, then I was tendering my notice.
Funny thing is the letter begins:
It goes on to outline that I was condescending to the inmate and also was unsafe by being in a unit alone. BTW the said unit is behind 3, yes THREE locked doors and the only way to get let in is by control on the radio, which I do not have. (Rounds are done with CO). CO was with me and wlked off with me in the unit.
What do you all think about this?
Should I fight termination just to not have it on my record?
Specializes in corrections, pediatrics, geriatrics, ...
Okay, I have worked many many facilities, and even well trained, I didn't start my last facility job without two weeks accompanied training....Sounds like you worked in a death trap! I would fight, but not only would I fight the termination, I would use that letter to back up your concerns that were voiced and ignored. I would talk to someone at ACA. They have to accredit these places! If not there, talk to someone at the local health department about your concerns...Sounds like you were doing the best you could under the circumstances...Good luck and yeah, fight for the poor fellas that will die without some advocacy!
Specializes in corrections, pediatrics, geriatrics, ...
The ACA oversees most correctional facilities and their medical departments...That is where I would start. By ACA standards that place would not just be lacking, it would be criminally neglegent.. Good luck!
Specializes in corrections, pediatrics, geriatrics, ...
The ACA oversees most correctional facilities, medical departments included. Usually it is no easy task to pass an ACA inspection...and this facility you speak of would not. I would suggest you get in touch with the ACA, because this facility sounds criminally neglegent...not just lacking. Even if the ACA can't help, they will be able to direct you to someone who can..If that doesn't help the State Bureau of Investigation would be a place to file a complaint as well.
As a Correctional Health Care Manager former, and student nurse I can tell you the health department can survey correctional facilities. Offenders have the right to complain about health services rendered. With all the changes in corrections it will only be a matter of time before if it is true what you say it is will come back and they will have to make changes according to best practice standards.
As for your employee file I want you to know you as an employee have the right to rebuttal what your supervisor says in letter form. Your letter will be placed in your file and released with your supervisor letter.
Specializes in corrections, legal, med/surg, ICU,CCU,.
First you can thank the powers that be that you are out of the facility. You can go to the union or file a complaint with HR and perhaps see an attorney about wrongful temination. Then you should go to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Consumer Affairs and also explore filing a compaint with Attorney General about the sub-standard conditions. Inmates are covered by the 8th ammendment, failing to provide adequate medical is a violation of the inmates civil rights. So, filing a complaint with both the attorney general/office of civil rights should trigger an investigation. You could also report the head nurse to your state board of nursing, this will trigger an investigation.
As to the facility. They are a legal disaster waiting to happen and you are lucky to be out of there. Unfortunately, there are many sub-standard facilities around the country and they give all of us a bad name. In my practice as a legal nurse I have seen worse but this facility is right up there. I commend you for trying to make a difference. Correctional nursing is a high stress job but done right it is the best kind of nursing out there. I would fight to have the termination over-turned because it is a blot on your record. I would find another correctional job in a facility that tries to give a good standard of care.
There are many, many dedicated correctional professionals who are trying to make the system work. It is not worth the danger to your license to stay in such a sub-standard facility.
You made an effort to improve conditions and should continue work for excellence in whatever position you go to next.
Specializes in pedi, pedi psych,dd, school ,home health.
Not so sure I want my job back but I do feel strongly that changes need to be made. These are not costly changes or necessarily even time consuming changes. BUT something should be done for the sake of the prisoners. Include a copy of her letter.
I just keep seeing that poor soul who had ripped all the skin off his nose and part of his face, being left in solitary with no meds for days and days.
I keep thinking about all the times I tried to get in touch with the director of nursing and was rebuffed and blown off, and how when I went up the chain of command, got rebuffed every step of the way.
I keep thinking that I know I am idealistic as a new grad, but gosh, how on earth could they expect me to accept those conditons and not want to make improvements if I could?
I will be seeking some answers this week and next before I decide which road to travel.
Since SHE also documented your concerns; i would send a letter to the Medical Director of your facility along with the Human Resources Dept. You have to be very careful about language used; you dont want to sound inflammatory or they will just write you off as the crazy one.
Document the specific incidents with times, etc. Voice your concerns for the inmates health ; as well as the jail's liablity. that will open some eyes, hopefully.
As for your careef; i wouldnt go back right now with that DON. She is obviously ineffective and the same things will keep happening until something is done. Can you transfer to another facility? Good luck in your search. know that you did the right thing for these men.
lauradrizzt
16 Posts
Okay, I have worked many many facilities, and even well trained, I didn't start my last facility job without two weeks accompanied training....Sounds like you worked in a death trap! I would fight, but not only would I fight the termination, I would use that letter to back up your concerns that were voiced and ignored. I would talk to someone at ACA. They have to accredit these places! If not there, talk to someone at the local health department about your concerns...Sounds like you were doing the best you could under the circumstances...Good luck and yeah, fight for the poor fellas that will die without some advocacy!