Constant worries about getting reported to BON one day

[cthorste40]

I'm a fairly new nurse who has just gotten a job in a home health agency in Texas. The job itself is nice, and I like the office staff.

While I'm not under investigation for anything- nor do I think I should be -I've always wondered about the process. When I look at some of the disciplinary actions on my BON website, a lot of the transgressions occurred 2-3 years before charges were filed (and then another year before the investigation was complete. Some events even took place a full 5 years before the charges were filed.

So my question is this: does this mean that if I make a mistake in my paperwork (for example, charting a continuous feed in a way that makes it look I just gave one very large bolus), that I might actually get reported for it 3 years from now?

If so, then who is doing this reporting- I'm wondering if it's not the employers, but rather the state auditors during regularly scheduled record reviews.

The other nurses I've met at this agency seem unconcerned. They're mostly very competent nurses, but, as we all do, I have seen some people make mistakes with charting (as I have a couple of different times, at least ).

I understand that most license revocations are due to substance abuse issues. This isn't an issue for me. But I'm still terrified of how even a slap on the wrist could have on my career.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I think you are making a mountain out of a microscopic molehill. EVERYONE makes a mistake in charting at one point or another in their career. The people who sit on the BON have in their careers. You are worried about nothing.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I took a course about charting to keep you out of the courtroom. I also always use the CYA approach. I refuse to live my life playing the 'what if' game. Do your best, don't lie, and don't divert or use. Always CYA! Also, stop worrying so much!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Next time you see that list, look at why nurses have their licenses limited or lifted. If you aren't engaging in felony theft, assaultive abuse, cleaning out the narcs from the Pyxis before lunch, coming to work intoxicated, flunking mandatory drug screens, or falsifying information in a way meant to conceal any of the above, you are just fine. A late med pass every shift, giving your supervisor the stink-eye when she floats you, ****ing off the staffing coordinator, or habitually late documentation without following established standards for doing that right may get you put on probation but believe me, the BoN has far, far bigger fish to fry. :)

I'd say, in the kindest possible way, "Get a grip, take a nice hot bath, and worry about something else entirely. Like, oh, global poverty or whether this damn winter will ever end."

:flwrhrts:

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

First....get malpractice insurance. ALL NURSES NEED MALPRACTICE INSURANCE regardless of what you have been told.

Second....while you see many disciplines the proportion, in reality, is small.

A little fear keeps you safe but don't let it overwhelm you.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

the time between event and formal charges can be due to so many things. That is really not the issue. The issue is focusing on doing the best, and safest, thing you can do for your patient and documenting accordingly. Take this worry stone out of your pocket.

[scifispam]

I second the malpractice insurance comment. Also, we teach all of our nurses (I'm an ADON for a childrens home health agency) to chart CYA-method. Chart EVERYTHING no matter how trivial.