One day before the election and I got suspended from my job.

[icymist]

All it took was an accusation of "rough handling" from a patient. I work in a nursing home as a CNA and there is a history of the nurses I work under 'informing' me how I could lose my job very quickly by the word of one person.
<snip>
This is in a nursing home and this jerk has already 'informed' me that all somebody has to do is complain that "abuse" 'might' have occurred and I would then be out of a job until "the investigation was complete"!
About two hours ago, the Director of Nursing called me and said that a resident has complained of "rough handling" by me on Saturday. I work nights and had Friday and Saturday night off. I was not allowed to know who accused me of this, nor could have the chance to offer up my side of the story. Last night, at work, (yes, they allowed me to work last night) I had a talk with a different nurse who said the most blatant racist remark about Muslims and 'blacks' during a short discussion about my roommate's husband attitude that all Muslims should be killed. He's a trucker and wanted to know what the latest political points were. (I told him to vote all Dem if he ever wanted to see accountability in this war. That's how the above subject arose.)This nurse countered with "They would only repopulate, just like the blacks!" Needless to say that I was taken aback by this comment as I began to think that I work in a very bigoted place.

It's very interesting that after a talk in politics and right before the midterm election, that I would get suspended from accusations that occurred on my day off. I'm pretty upset right now....I could lose my license to practice nursing or work in a related field.

[mike_c]

1. call your state labor relations board....

on edit, assuming your profile is still correct: http://www.lni.wa.gov/

[magellan]

5. Would the ACLU be of any help as well? (nt)

[mike_c]

7. probably not since there's no indication of a civil rights violation....

eom

[icymist]

9. Thank you. I'll give them a try and see what they say.

Nursing, however, is completely different from other types of work in as the employer can use the term 'abandonment' if they want you to work an unscheduled overtime without notice, one can be suspended on such an accusation as above,....etc.... I sure the nursing home corporation is doing whatever it can to look good on paper. My concern is that, in the past, I would be able to know my accusers and at least tell my side of the story. This is not happening here.

I'm rambling...... I contact the Labor Board when I calm down. Thank you again.

[bigtree]

2. hang in there

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Wow. You have my profound sympathy.

[rodeodance]

4. you said you were not at work Saturday.

[Horse with no Name]

10. Yes he did

And was off Friday night too.
Wonder what this is about?

[rosesaylavee]

6. That's just wrong.

Here's hoping you find something better - with people you respect and who respect you.

[Horse with no Name]

8. Depending on the labor laws in your state

They can fire you at will.
However, CNA's are state licensed, so contact your state licensing board and explain to them that you were unjustly accused and ask what type of recourse you have to prove that you didn't do it.
Also, I would tell the DON that you are going to call the State Board of Health(or whoever your regulatory agency for nursing homes in your state is) AND the patient ombudsman and let them know that there are accusations of abuse in the nursing home that need to be investigated.
I guarantee that there isn't a nursing home in the US that wants the Department of Health sniffing into broad accusations.

[icymist]

11. Thank you Horse With No Name.

I believe I will contact the State Board of Health tomorrow (it's after five right now) and explain this to them. As for contacting the DNS in the facility, all I can get after the intital call is her mail box.