But also – and I know I run the risk of sounding like an old codger – time passes, things change, people move on, and stuff that once seemed so big turns into nothing more than interesting stories with no lasting resonance. And one never knows where they eventually wind up. (But I totally get you won’t be looking there soon! )

Good luck, JoJo.

Ronnie Ann

Thank you for your time & interest. You’re awesome to care for people like you.

Take care. JoJo

I’m so glad you’re taking this in stride and have a good support system. Also happy the Sarno book is resonating with you – and with your back. As you know, I love it!

Mostly just told you about the HIPAA stuff for any future jobs. Who knows…one day you may be a HIPAA trainer. I always think these things come in handy later in one way or another.

All the best to you, JoJo! Please stay in touch.

Ronnie Ann

Basically, HIPPA training was very poor, mainly done in a group setting. I was not giving HIPPA laws in writing nor was I instructed on what can or cannot be done. What should’ve been common sense, wasn’t to me. Especially since the records were accessed thru the internet.

I am not letting this fester in me. Coincidentally, I am learning about repressed feelings (partly thanks to you – Dr. Sarno’s book) & how we mask them w/back pain. I have been feeling pretty good despite all that’s happened to me (no back pain!).

Anyway, thanks for the advice & kind words.

JoJo

I’m so sorry you are going through this. And yes…I really can’t answer all the e-mails and comments I get any more.

But I do feel bad for you and so I’ll share a few thoughts. First, this is a lesson you will remember a long time and that’s a good thing in case you ever work in a hospital or health facility again. And don’t worry…the stigma will go away.

There is a Federal law called HIPAA that, among other things, protects the privacy of our health records. Most major systems are available online now, JoJo, but the protection is that you need a password to get in. And quite honestly, you should have been given your own password with limited access. These records are private and no one except people directly concerned with treatment should be reading them. I would be appalled if I thought just anyone was reading my records! (I just want you to really understand what happened here.)

No question this company didn’t handle security as well as they could have. But considering the position you had there, reading private personal records while off duty is not ok. If you really get that and learn from it, I think this is a lesson that will serve you well for the rest of your career.

BUT…all that said…I don’t want you to beat yourself up or feel bad. We all make mistakes (especially ones we weren’t properly advised about, as in your case); and we all move on. I’ve screwed up so many times I can’t count it on my fingers!

Maybe someone else wants to chime in here, but for me the best way to handle this is by really knowing in your heart you are a good employee and will do your best for your next employer. In the interview, all I would say is something like “I made a mistake and I learned from it.” (Being honest without going into details helps when they do reference checking. A good employer will like that you didn’t lie.) Then just quickly move on to explain that you believe mistakes happen and the best thing we can do is learn from them and then work extra hard never to let it happen again. Maybe even give them another example in a job or elsewhere where you turned a mistake into something really good.

You’ll be ok JoJo. Don’t hold anger or resentment. Least of all toward yourself. Brush yourself off and find the next job. Each mistake makes us stronger. Just show the most positive, pleasant side of yourself when you interview and you’ll get another chance.

Good luck!

Ronnie Ann

I got myself into a predicament & need your advice. I worked at a nursing home until yesterday (I was fired). I work in the office & took care of paperwork & setting up appointments. I was given access to both the office manger’s & the administrator’s passwords for my job. We were recommended to read patient charts to keep abreast of things. I only work part time & on my days off I would read patient records, which is accessible online (kind of a dumb setup if you ask me). Anyway, I didn’t know that reading patient records is a serious offense & I was fired. How do I answer why I was fired from my previous job?

I hate that I’m going to have this stigma attached to me, but I honestly had no clue that this was against the health regulations (we were encouraged to read records). I had no previous training in the medical field & some of my current training went by the wayside because I was only part time & the initially hired me to work the weekend.

You were a great help to me last time & I hope you can help me again. I’m sorry to bother you since, you’re limiting your responses. Any advice would be extremely grateful. I can’t seem to find any help online.

JoJo

The feelings are mutual. Thanks for having created the site. I’ll be in touch.

In Peace & Joy,
Liz