Nurse who reported misconduct reinstated at hospital

Friday, Oct. 9, 2009 | 3:31 p.m.

Sun courts coverage

CARSON CITY – A hearing officer has ruled that psychiatric nurse Elisa McCall was dismissed from her job at the state’s Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital in Las Vegas because she reported the misconduct of another nurse that endangered the patients.

Hearing Officer Daniel Hussey ordered the reinstatement of McCall to her position at the hospital with back pay dating to February. She was dismissed three days short of completing her year of probation on the job.

McCall reported to her superior that another nurse identified only as RM would give the patients their medicines late and wouldn't check to confirm they were the correct medicines. And if the patients didn't take the medicine, RM would watch them throw it in wastebaskets that other patients had access to, McCall said.

She reported these instances to superior Marion Booth May, who was reported to be a friend of RM. May was the one who recommended that McCall not be hired permanently and the superiors accepted the suggestion.

Hussey, in his 25-page decision, said McCall “clearly and convincingly established” during the appeals hearing that there was “substantial and specific danger to the public health or safety” and there were violations of the state laws by RM.

He said the misconduct was never corrected. May retaliated against McCall by recommending her dismissal because McCall “continued to report the continued violations of her (May’s) friend RM.”

Discussion: 6 comments so far…

By FiremanFred

10/10/09 at 1:56 p.m.

Suggest removal

Only in Nevada and more than likely, the nurse, RM has probably got a raise in the process. Yeah Nevada!
By Pianist

10/11/09 at 12:51 a.m.

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Incredible! Someone tries to do the right thing in protecting patients, and maintaining ethics, and she gets crucified for it. I hope to God I'm never placed in a hospital where my life is at the mercy of these "professionals."
By CityCenterGirl

10/12/09 at 2:39 p.m.

Suggest removal

I commend Ms. McCall for doing what was right - Many other nurses would've overlooked it or even have done worst in my experience as a patient. Even the doctor was more concerned if my breast were real than my health. So High-5 to you Ms. McCall for taking a stand for what's right! She definitely deserves a public apology along with your back pay.
By 0014NURSE

10/17/09 at 2:05 p.m.

Suggest removal

Occassionally, newspaper stories do not report all the facts of a situation. It is correct that Marion Booth May, a RN with many years of psychiatric experience made a recommendation regarding Ms. McCall. Her recomendation was based on her passion for quality patient care and did not have anything to do with "friendship" with RM. Unfortunately, the state process for resolution in this case led to McCalls' re-instatement. This does not benefit the patients who will be under her care nor a state hospital system in disarray. Also, FYI, RM no longer works at the hospital. In actuality, Marion Booth May has suffered for trying to do the right thing.
By shirleyley

10/26/09 at 12:11 p.m.

Suggest removal

Ms McCall,

I am proud to have heard about your quest for the rights of patients. Supervisors like to use their power to fire workers because this is a" right to work state".In the future ,shady supervisors will think twice before they fire anyone.God bless you and continue to fight for your rights.
By sashafierce

11/12/09 at 1:18 a.m.

Suggest removal

So sad 0014nurse. Poor Marion Booth-May. Unfortunately the newspaper got this one right. Marion did have Ms. McCall fired because of Marion's friendship with RM. This is what the hearing office found and the state had a chance to disprove this fact but they weren't able to. Marion still has her job as supervisor where she is free to cover up more nursing errors if she so choses. She did not lose her job for over 8 months like Ms. McCall did. How exactly did Marion suffer? Just because she lost the case means she suffered? She did the wrong thing and it's time we stopped feeling sorry for the nurses and start feeling sorry for the patients that are harmed by their decisions.