SMITHFIELD - Psychiatric nurse Jeannine Peterson, a rock-climber when she's not in uniform, is accustomed to scaling barriers, but she hasn't been able to get past the fallout from her latest role in life: whistleblower.
It was a phone call from the 59-year-old Peterson that set into motion a recent investigation of elder sexual abuse that almost cost the Hebert Nursing Home its status as Medicare and Medicaid provider.
So far the only result, as far she's concerned, is the satisfaction of believing that she did the right thing.
But the call she made has claimed her $1,000-a-week-job, her peace of mind, and any faith that the "system" works. In fact, she thinks that by reporting a bizarre, long-term situation she may have actually made things worse.
Adding to her frustration is the fact that despite eyewitness accounts that she, and others, reported to the Smithfield Police, the state Attorney General's Office has declined to prosecute, saying that what the employees saw does not rise to a criminal level.
Smithfield Police Capt. Michael Rheaume said he could not understand that, because the sexual abuse charge seemed appropriate "and that's why we brought it to their attention."
Hebert Nursing Home states: 'We are in compliance,' while whistleblowing nurse out of work, license in jeopardy | The Valley Breeze
It was a phone call from the 59-year-old Peterson that set into motion a recent investigation of elder sexual abuse that almost cost the Hebert Nursing Home its status as Medicare and Medicaid provider.
So far the only result, as far she's concerned, is the satisfaction of believing that she did the right thing.
But the call she made has claimed her $1,000-a-week-job, her peace of mind, and any faith that the "system" works. In fact, she thinks that by reporting a bizarre, long-term situation she may have actually made things worse.
Adding to her frustration is the fact that despite eyewitness accounts that she, and others, reported to the Smithfield Police, the state Attorney General's Office has declined to prosecute, saying that what the employees saw does not rise to a criminal level.
Smithfield Police Capt. Michael Rheaume said he could not understand that, because the sexual abuse charge seemed appropriate "and that's why we brought it to their attention."
Hebert Nursing Home states: 'We are in compliance,' while whistleblowing nurse out of work, license in jeopardy | The Valley Breeze
