Hi, this is my first ever post and my nerves are shot, so please bear with me. I have been an RN for 6 yrs and my record is spotless. I recently took a travel position on a geriatric psych unit. I was doing a great job and was told so by many if the other nurses and managers. I saw some things that not only concerned me but made me worry about the patients safety and my license. A few of the patients were very very confused and this is an acute unit, they were fraike and extremely high falk risks. I asked for a one on one because of my concerns, instead they placed these elderly patients on the floor! One got up from the floor, fell and needed a rapid response.
Long story made a little shorter, I voiced my concerns and the next week I'm called while home off work for a few days and tokd that there is a 0.5mg Lorazapam missing and I have to come g or a drug test and that I'm suspended for now. I flew bacj right away, not only was I given the UDS, but the forced me to give blood for blood alcohol testing. Although I wasn't in the slightest bit concerned about either test, I don't do drugs and I only drink on occasion. The issue is although the UDS is protocol, the blood alcohol was not policy, unwarranted and a huge violation of my rights. The only way they are allowed to demand a blood alcohol is if I'm at work and appear intoxicated or impaired in any way. I was off work for 3 days prior to this.
The tests all came back negative as I akready knew they would. They then told me that they are firing me because I questioned them about taking my blood.
I'm beside myself. I've contacted an attorney who says I have a wrongful termination suit. I just feel sick.
Any advice? Thank you if you made it through this long book. :)
