Comments to make on an Unjust write up?

brownbook · Jul 12, 2016

Okay, you can come to Allnurses, vent, spew it all out in an angry accusatory manner. You may be perfectly correct and justifiable in your feelings over how the incident happened.

However when you go to management stop all the "feelings". Sit with them in a calm manner. State the FACTS of what happened only pertinent to this incident. Don't go into staffing changes. The facts, not what you assume or think the CNA's were doing. State what you saw with your own eyes. State as well as you can honestly remember what you said, what they said.

Be ready to acknowledge you were maybe upset? It was an especially busy day? And you should have, could have, handled the incident better. Maybe be ready to state what you should have done, what you will do if a similar situation comes up again. How you will better handle it.

You may have to begrudgingly admit to some things you could have done better, even if you honestly think you did nothing wrong!

Satsun · Jul 13, 2016

Brownbook: Thanks. I understand that stating facts and admitting my mistake(s) makes more of an impact than crying about other peoples' fault. But I HAD admitted my mistake, saying that as busy as it was with the morning routine, med pass, everyone's call lights, I could've done better, avoided the mistake, but you do have to take all this into account for the reason that this mistake was made. That's when I was told "even if you're right, it doesn't matter."

So for this write up, do I simply re-state all that in the comments? It's not fair to me if I simply sign it and write "I will do better"... it wasn't just me involved in making that mistake :\

brownbook · Jul 13, 2016

I only hope"even if you are right it doesn't matter" was in reference to the families perception? I can kind of understand why families think something was done wrong and sometimes it does no good to dissuade or convince them.

Otherwise it is a stupid comment!

I'm at a loss for your write up response. All I can say is matter of factually write what happened and add an addendum that CNA Smith was in the room and ?????? what ever she did or didn't do?

Sorry your unit, it sounds like a mess!

mrsboots87 · Jul 13, 2016

To give advice from the opposite side of the spectrum, even if the write up is unjust, you are the nurse and are ultimately responsible.

CNAs have a job and are delegated tasks that don't require licensed personal. But all of those duties fall under the scope of a nurse. Since the nurse is responsible for ALL care if residents, it makes it the nurses job to ensure cares are done.

What at should have been done is, when you see CNAs standing around, missing light, not performing proper cares, what have you, you need to correct them on the spot. If the behavior continues, depending on facility policy, you either write them up or report them to management for insubordination and negligent care of your residents. Facility higher ups know that a nurse can't poasibly provide all the cares a patient needs, but they do expect the nurse to supervise their CNAs and ensures things are getting done. If you don't report the CNA behavior when it's happening, then there is no proof that they weren't busy and whatever was done wron now falls on you. reporing the CNAs after the fact just looks like finger pointing.

To me, it sounds like you are in a difficult to manage environment currently and that sucks. I don't blame you for being upset by the situation, but keep in mind that it truly does not matter what other people did or did not do and it will not be taken into account when a mistake occurs because ultimately the reaponsibility over the patient care is on you only.

Also consider, if you make a med error, treatment error, the facility management does not care what all the surrounding situation was. They care that a mistake was made under your watch because time wasn't managed, or staff wasn't manage, or whatever the reason that led to the mistake. It's not always fair to the nurse when things are out of your control, but it happens. Writing a comment on your write up will not change its validity. You don't need to write an entire statement on there. If it makes you feel better, then write you feel it is unjust and leave it at that. Anything you put can be used against you later and you don't want to be pictures as someone who blames problems on other people without taking responsibility.

Satsun · Jul 13, 2016

mrsboots87 You make a good point, whatever I write can later be used against me... and I guess it is what it is.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2016

OP, it is possible that others were written up and you just don't know it because personnel issues are private.

I never have liked having to be responsible for keeping subordinates in line. On the once hand, I know that the RN is in charge and bears the greatest liability, therefore has to keep up on what subordinate staff are doing. But I also think that adults (aides, techs, uap's) should come to work to work, not to see how little they can get by with doing.

In your response, write your version of what happened and why, without making it sound like you did not have good control over the staff you were expected to supervise. Your boss sounds like she doesn't undertand or appreciate the workload and the fact that you can be in only 1 place at a time. Explain what you were doing, how you prioritized, whatever, and that you realize how you erred (not asking the aides to help you) and that will not happen again.

Good luck. Think about changing jobs?

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Jul 14, 2016

See my bolded part. This is wholly untrue. CNA's do NOT work under your license. Stop believing that and for the love of all that's holy, stop SAYING that.

So my new place of work is slowly turning into a crappy place. over the last month RNs have gone from 3-4 pts to 5-6 plus managing IVs for the LVNs who have gone from 4-5 to 6 pts. Poor CNAs have gone from 7-8pts to 10-14pts each!!
We are all suffering and mistakes are bound to happen, and have been happening. Patients are suffering, and so is the reputation of the facility. Can we expect anything BUT a less than perfect standard of care with such overload on all the staff?
Well, I'm being written up for something a family made a huge issue about, no one in the team is getting blamed but me. I've got alot on my mind on what is unfair in this case but what can I write in the comments to make myself seem just and the write up unjust?
CNA got no consequences for the mistake, none. But because she falls under my license, I have to take the write up. CNAs have been seen standing together around the corner, listening to music, on their phones, and when it comes to answer a call light, they simply say "I was busy" and they go free. What can I say to defend myself??
btw I was told word for word "nothing else matters except the care we provide. Even if you're right, it doesn't matter." Makes me feel like I have no rights as an RN!
Thanks, any advice would help before I go in to sign this write up.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jul 14, 2016

Save your breath. Just refused to sign it and watch the panties get bunched.

In the meantime, how many applications have you filled out?

middleagednurse · Jul 14, 2016

You're right. You DON'T have any rights, so suck it up. Welcome to nursing.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Jul 14, 2016

It's time to get the heck out of dodge!

nursej22, MSN, RN · Jul 14, 2016

Do not admit to any fault on your part, they don't care. Do not point fingers, they don't care. Don't fall on your sword and promise you'll try harder, they don't care.

Do describe the situation in factual terms, and state you disagree with their version.

Write ups are a means of documenting patterns and reasons for dismissal. When you include your version, you create the pattern for wrongful discharge.