Fired for Falsifying Documents. What to expect

Nurses General Nursing

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Today is extremely difficulty for me. I just started this new job that I absolutely love. I work in a very busy hallway and popped a noon med for one of my residents. I placed it in the med cart and was pulled away. I always initial as I pop and signed. However at the end of my shift, I did not give it. I now understand how early documentation isn't good at all, but I had no intentions to do what I did. I deeply apologized to my supervisor and was thankful for the opportunity but now I'm afraid of what will happen to my license.

Again, I am not making excuses. I made a major mistake but I would never ever intend to not give someone their medication on purpose or for convenience. I would like to know what I can expect or how soon I will hear something. I am so afraid.

Yeah we are supposed to live in a non-punitive world where mistakes are looked at as learning experiences and a root cause analysis maybe done to figure out how to avoid them in the future. However that is complete BS from what I've actually seen. You reported the friend of a higher up. Once you did that you painted a "kick me" sign on your back and the wheels of you getting fired probably started rolling. This was just the convenient excuse to pull the trigger. I am so sorry for all your troubles. Once again, I very much doubt the BON is gonna get involved in any serious way. If every nurse that ever made an innocent mistake was disciplined there would be few nurses left

I would actually recommend (and I know I will probably get repercussions for this) that you NOT write people up again. When I worked in the hospital, writing someone up usually led to "write-up wars." Go talk to the person that could be written up instead. It is a little tougher, but in the long run less trouble for everyone.

I would actually recommend (and I know I will probably get repercussions for this) that you NOT write people up again. When I worked in the hospital, writing someone up usually led to "write-up wars." Go talk to the person that could be written up instead. It is a little tougher, but in the long run less trouble for everyone.

In my organization, only certain people have the privilege of writing others up. Even if the reverse action is avoided (at all costs, trying not to stir the pot no matter how much that person screws up), the golden one achieves her/his purpose. Deflect attention from his or her poor adherence to standards.

Friend, I am also a nurse with anxiety and depression. Please, please find a therapist, try cognitive behavioral therapy, get on meds if you need them. I take them. No judgement here. You are capable and smart enough to be a nurse. Anxiety and depression absolutely does effect your ability to concentrate.

As for being fired, I've been a RN for 6 years and I've been fired twice. Both times while I was pregnant (two different pregnancies), in an at will state, for things that could have been educational moments if not for terrible management. It happens, especially when you have crappy management, which it sounds like you did. Yes, you made a mistake. But this does not have to define you or your career. You can find a good, supportive place to grow as a nurse. No job is perfect, but the one I have now is pretty darn close, including focusing on educating nurses, not punishing them.

Hang in there.

Over a freaking Tylenol and neurontin?? Sounds like a witch hunt to me and they were waiting for you to make a mistake (which we ALL do) and use that as grounds for termination. If I was you I would say good riddance and move on. As others have said I don't think you will get into any trouble with the BON.

OP, you seem like a very nice person who is willing to work hard and who wants to do a good job.

I do not want to make you feel worse. I don't think that telling you that management is being unreasonable is going to help you.

I went back and looked at your previous posts. Here's what I understood from your previous posts:

April 2016 - you received your license

Jan 2017 - you have started your first nursing position. It's in LTC.

Aug 18 2017 - you were suspended for 4 med errors

Aug 30, 2017 - you post that you've made 5 med errors and expect to be terminated. (I assume you made a med error in the 12 days since you were suspended.)

Oct 18, 2017 - you post that you are working in an ob/gyn clinic and made an IM injection error - injecting it too high

Oct 27, 2017 - you post that you have gotten a new job in LTC

Feb 2018 - you have been fired for a med error

You said the 5 med errors in the first job were

"My first med error was not giving an eyedrop

2. Not seeing that what we got from the pharmacy was Norco, not percocet

3. Leaving med in room during emergency

4. In the MAR, I gave, but med still in cart

5. I don't recall what this error was for "

The latest med error was that you popped a med, placed it in the med cart, signed that it was given, but never gave the med. That sounds a lot like number 4 above. If I understand correctly in that case you documented in the MAR that a med was given, but it was still in the cart.

The latest error was documenting that you gave Tylenol and gabapentin, but you hadn't. Gabapentin is not "just an OTC." Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee have all made gabapentin a schedule med, because they are seeing it abused. Addicts report it potentiates the effect of other drugs.

Have you considered that management in your latest job knew about the med errors in your previous job? I live in a city of 1/2 million yet the people in the medical community know each other. They are in the same professional organizations. Managers in even competing healthcare organizations meet regularly to discuss challenges they are all facing. It's possible that your management is concerned that you are not safe.

You stated in another post that your anxiety and depression make it hard for you to concentrate. This could be contributing to your errors. Consider whether you should address this issue before you try working again in a stressful environment like nursing.

You might also consider taking some continuing education in safe medication administration. It might help you improve your practice. If the BON does investigate you, it will look good that you have been proactive in addressing these issues.

I hope these comments do not seem harsh to you. I do mean them to be constructive and wish you the best.

They are making neurontin a controlled? SMH. I've officially seen it all. I about fell off my unicorn when they did it with Ultram.

They are making neurontin a controlled? SMH. I've officially seen it all. I about fell off my unicorn when they did it with Ultram.

Dust yourself off and get back on that unicorn!

Specializes in LTC.
I do not want to make you feel worse. I don't think that telling you that management is being unreasonable is going to help you.

Hey sorry for the late reply. I really struggle with med admin. It's something I just cannot give up on because I love it so much. I just want to do a good job.

Specializes in LTC.
You are capable and smart enough to be a nurse. Anxiety and depression absolutely does effect your ability to concentraete. .

I've been in denial about my issues. I've spoken to therapist who urge me to take my medicine but I hate taking it because it makes me feel like I'm a crazy person. But I know that I need it.

Specializes in LTC.
For crying out loud...that doesn't even ALMOST strike me as a fireable offense.

My thoughts. I didn't even deny it. I couldn't believe they let me go for HUMAN ERROR.

Hi LPNewbie. I'm sorry for your situation but just curious why you reported the other nurse. Did you address her directly about the mistake or go straight to supervisor?

In my state, the BON sends us a monthly email of all of the "corrective actions" taken against individual nurses. Considering the kind of stuff many of these nurses have done and still kept their license, I think you'll probably be fine. If I read correctly, the meds were Tylenol and Gabapentin? This doesn't sound too major.

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