When someone else gets terminated

[NightOwl0624]

A fellow coworker was terminated last week. I was working alongside him that night, but didn't see it actually happen. My guess, and from what I have "unofficially" heard, is that he refused to take a random drug test. Honestly, that is the only thing I can even think of that would be dealth with in that manner in the middle of the night!

I really liked this nurse, and was under the impression that he was having some personal problems. I also know that other nurses on the floor did not like this person, and some had actually interviewed for his job as charge nurse (he was hired from the outside less than a year ago). He was always very nice and respectful of me, and always helped me when I needed it.

Anyway, I am having a hard time with this. This person did not appear to be impaired to me. Of course, that doesn't mean that he wasn't. So, if he was impaired on the job and refused the test, it was his own doing and maybe he can get some help for this. But I feel awful that I didn't notice and maybe could have done something (?) to prevent it. That means that my assessment skills are not so great

On the other hand, it's pretty awful if he wasn't impaired and was forced out - for whatever reason.

For now I'm just trying to sort out my feelings. I have thought about trying to contact this person but don't really think that's a good idea. I also think I better keep quiet about this at work.

Has anyone ever been through something like this?

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

I wouldn't try to contact him, or discuss it at work. He's a grown up and is responsible for himself. He knew the consequences of refusing a drug test and he made that choice for himself. It's harsh I know, but he knew the score and you will never know what factors went into his decision to refuse but what ever it was, it's on him.

[etaoinshrdluRN]

In the days when I worked as a charge, one of the first things we had to do when someone was hurt on the job was to send them out for a drug screen. I never had anyone refuse . . . not sure what the consequences would have been, had they.

Seems to me that someone may be fired at will in most outfits, and speculating on impairment or lack of it is probably of no use. You're right that you need to keep your thoughts to yourself about it. Some thorny ethical issues about what to do if you suspect impairment (and therefore a person unsafe and unfit for working). If you intervened and did not report, what could happen to your license?

[OCNRN63, RN]

That was the "unofficial" word...meaning it was gossip. I don't think it would be inappropriate to send a card wishing him well.

[NightOwl0624]

In the days when I worked as a charge, one of the first things we had to do when someone was hurt on the job was to send them out for a drug screen. I never had anyone refuse . . . not sure what the consequences would have been, had they.

Seems to me that someone may be fired at will in most outfits, and speculating on impairment or lack of it is probably of no use. You're right that you need to keep your thoughts to yourself about it. Some thorny ethical issues about what to do if you suspect impairment (and therefore a person unsafe and unfit for working). If you intervened and did not report, what could happen to your license?

Yeah, I know you are right. I guess I'm glad that I was (and still am) in the dark about it. I've never thought about what I would do if I suspected someone to be unsafe, especially someone that I like. Sometimes this job just sucks.

[PinkRocksLikeMe]

He for whatever reason was asked to take a drug test, the very fact he refused is suspect. People do start rumors, makes claims, etc...Against people they don't like especially if it is a clique of people doing the talking and whispering. Sad but true, I have seen it happen. Just know it could be you one of these days, you know never to refuse a drug test and so did he, so his outcome was his choice. Sorry you lost a friend in all this though, but don't beat yourself up saying your assessment skills are lacking, you do not know the reason he was asked to take one. It could be gossip, he could have showns signs of impairment, it could be a on the job injury or it could just be that a RANDOM drug test. DO NOT 2nd guess yourself OK.

Good luck to you sweetie,

Pink

[iwanna]

You heard through gossip the reason for his firing. NO confirmations on the real reason, and you may never know. I would go with your gut on this one.

I know it sucks when people we like are fired. A colleague that I liked was terminated while I was on medical leave. I felt really bad. This certain nurse was very helpful when I started at that job. He loved to teach new employees, and he was so good at it. So, I can empathize a bit on how you are feeling. However, this nurse was really liked by co-workers as well.

And, I don't think it would be inappropriate to send him a card wishing him well, either.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

If I had his personal phone number, and I really enjoyed working with him, etc. I'd call.

I am one not to care what an employer thinks my "role" is outside of work. If I chose to I will, on my own time.

Besides, If you two work well together, it might be that later you will work together again, or help each other get a job somewhere else.

Remember, your employer is not important. You have no loyalty ever to an employer. The working relationships you have with those few co-workers, the good ones, are what is important.

[OCNRN63, RN]

You heard through gossip the reason for his firing. NO confirmations on the real reason, and you may never know. I would go with your gut on this one.

I know it sucks when people we like are fired. A colleague that I liked was terminated while I was on medical leave. I felt really bad. This certain nurse was very helpful when I started at that job. He loved to teach new employees, and he was so good at it. So, I can empathize a bit on how you are feeling. However, this nurse was really liked by co-workers as well.

And, I don't think it would be inappropriate to send him a card wishing him well, either.

Thank goodness. I was beginning to think I was the only one who actually read the first post.

[yooperPN]

I was in a similar situation, a co-worker who worked midnights with me was sent home and later terminated for similar reasons. She has blood sugar issues and it was unsure if her sugar was acting haywire that night or if she was intoxicated. Of course, the rumor mill states they requested her to be screened and she refused, but I'm not personally sure of the situation.

I was torn in the beginning if the company I worked for did the right thing. She was very nice and I never heard any complaints about her from anyone (residents or the staff). But, I put myself in her shoes and if I was sent into the office at 11pm with the DON and ADON, I would immediately request to be tested to prove my case. I would think anyone who is being accused of not being capable of performing their job duties would do whatever they could to prove they could. I eventually accepted that they did what was best and although she was very nice to work with, she probably was in the wrong.

After the fact, she attempted to contact me through facebook. I didn't respond. I feel bad about it, but I really enjoy my job and have heard from the union that she is filing a lawsuit against my company. I figured at this point it's best to focus on staying employed instead of outside work activity. More likely our conversations would be surrounded by the issues that took place instead of developing a healthy outside work friendship.

It sucks when you're in that situation. But, I think it's best to have faith that your company did what was best for their patients.

[NightOwl0624]

"They" said at work that if you refuse a random drug test you are terminated on the spot, but if you take it and fail it, they will put you through a program and get you help. I don't know if that's true or not.

[NightOwl0624]

Thank goodness. I was beginning to think I was the only one who actually read the first post.

:)......