[VivaLasViejas]

You can never go wrong if you place your residents' safety and your nursing license above all else.

That doesn't always equate with keeping one's job, or making the powers that be happy, or turning a profit for the company that owns the building. Somebody here already stated it perfectly in their signature line: "Being a good nurse is not always the same as being a good employee". If your job is at risk because you insist on safe nursing practice, then it is not the right job for you.

I have a copy of my state's Nurse Practice Act within arm's reach at all times when I'm in my office at work; I've also highlighted the divisions that deal specifically with community-based care settings, delegation, and safe medication practices so that I can refer to them whenever someone questions my decisions. I am fortunate in that I have an administrator who trusts my judgment and backs me up if I need help; otherwise, I wouldn't be where I am. I've worked in too many facilities like the one you're describing, and I won't do it again. I waited too long and worked too hard for my license to allow someone who doesn't even know what they're talking about to run my med room.

Of course, I'm talking tough now because I was very recently reminded of how vulnerable ALF nurses can be to outside influences where meds are concerned (you can refer to my thread, "Am I Wrong?" in General Nursing if you choose). Know that you are doing the right thing, and stand strong!

[TheCommuter]

The original poster who started this thread apparently has not visited this site in four months, so I can safely conjecture that (s)he is no longer reading this aged thread.

[TrudyRN]

You should simply just continue to verify orders whenever you need to. Your boss is not knowledgeable about this. She is dangerous! She should thank her lucky stars that you are a careful and conscientious nurse. Believe me, if you had not verified the order and gotten the doctor to correct his error, you sure would have been the one your boss jumped on. "You should have caught that mistake. You should have gotten it corrected. I'm reporting you to the Board. And, BTW, you're fired!"

Oh, yeah! Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

My only suggestion for the future is that you just do what you know is right and not involve your boss in it, if possible. Why was she involved in it?

God bless you. Your patients are lucky to have you.

[TrudyRN]

Originally Posted by teedy9

Contact your Board of Nursing for information. Med Tech SHOULD NOT be the boss of an RN.

I think this boss happens to have a med tech background but she also has probably an MBA or other Health Care Administration degree or background. She is also, I think, part owner of the facility.

[Alexsys]

Originally Posted by santhony44

I would not only supply the "boss" with the information Karen has given you, I'd pass it along to her boss.

Somebody, somewhere along the line, should have a clue that the facility itself is also at risk.

Plus, you are documenting these conversations with your boss, aren't you?? If you get fired, you can at least talk to a lawyer. Your facility might also understand that publicity for firing a nurse who was attempting to keep her patients safe is not the publicity that they want.

I'm not sure how assisted living facilities are regulated or if they're inspected by the same folks that nursing homes are, but someone on that level might also be able to explain a thing or two to your boss and to her boss.

I have to agree. I would have done the same thing. Why is a MT overseeing a nursing dept?

[BSNtobe2009]

Originally Posted by 911fltrn

You are absoulutely right. You are legally obligated to clarify any physician order that is unclear, that you dont understand, or is potentially harmful to the patient.

Your boss is not qualified to oversee a Registered Nurse.

I for one would not accept direction from her. I often seek suggestions from liscensed co workers. However they are just that. Any clarification of orders comes from the physician who wrote the order.

Also you as the nurse are responsible for the patient. Not your boss.

Continue to advocate for your patients no matter who attempts to stand in your way.

Amen to that! What kind of hospital would hire a Med Tech to be a RN supervisor?

That's scary!

[Lacie]

I had a similar issue with a job but not related to meds. I worked for a medical case management company. After about 1 1/2 years of working there they had an entire management change due to a sexual harrasment case that my immediate supervisor had initiated then resigned shortly there after. She was a BSN and they replaced her with an Associate degree in Psychology!!!! This person was to oversee all the RN's and our nursing and rehabilitation recommendations. Needless to say it wasnt long before I was terminated when I disagreed with this person changing my nursing recommendations on my patients. I had also refused to manipulate physicians into stating a client was able to return to work when I and all the medical indications showed the client was not capable of returning to thier job. This was catastrophic injury cases so I wasnt recommending to return a guy to a machine operator position when he couldnt remember his own name half the time (traumatic brain injury) LOL. Anyway now I have a termination on my applications although I did challenge it in PA and collected unemployment. The supervisor couldnt appreciate that I felt it was putting my licensure on the line. When brought up to her supervisor well same issue she wasnt an RN either!! I never could understand why companies or institutions hire people who are not RN's to oversee and direct RN's. Just doesnt make any sense to me either way.