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.

You made a med error, not a chart falsification. Your intent is important.

You did this by mistake, so it's an error. If you had gone back and altered the chart to cover up your mistake THAT would be falsification.

Specializes in Geriatrics.

Also, just to add on about the blister packs. Some months have more or less than 30 days and sometimes they get more than one pill a day. I'm not sure how they are using them being "off" as leverage to fire you. The only time we are concerned with how many are left in a pack is if there is a significant amount missing when it's not time to reorder or when there is a significant amount left when it should be time to reorder.

Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
You made a med error, not a chart falsification. Your intent is important.

You did this by mistake, so it's an error. If you had gone back and altered the chart to cover up your mistake THAT would be falsification.

This is the core of the issue...you can't falsify something without an intentional action on your part...it's an error. Don't back down.

I'm really sorry this happened to you and for the record I think it was extremely harsh. I know it's probably not what you want to hear right now but being sacked may be a blessing.

It's unlikely they would report you to a BON, but the fact that they fired you on the spot for a mistake that anyone could make is worrying and makes me wonder how spitefully they would react if there was ever a more serious issue. Sometimes it's hard to understand why bad things happen to us, but it's always worth looking for the Silver Lining. Don't be hard on yourself, they already took care of that.

Best of luck!

I agree with yourself and others who have stated that firing you over this medication is indeed harsh.

From your post, I am thinking that you didn't ask if they plan to report you to the BON. I would have asked them what they planned to do. My guess is that unless this medication was a controlled substance, nothing else will come from your firing.

Really Sorry that youre going through as it seems like an honest mistake.Honestly Im surprised they fired you... Its easy to get pulled away from the cart at any moment, especially when most places are so chronically understaffed. I try not to sign off before they actually take it but Id hate to have it "missing" if I got pulled away before I got a chance to sign it out. This is one of those situations that makes me feel like nursing can be impossible at times. Like we are damned if we do damned if we dont. If the pill was recovered the BON might not do anything at all. Honestly most DONs I know wouldnt even report it unless it was a narc missing or theres a pattern or suspect youre diverting. Try no to cry, whats done is done. Focus on what you can do from here going forward. Also dont think if you have one mistake no one will hire you either. Sometimes it can be hard but there are some really good DONs out there that are willing to give someone a chance to prove themselves.My only suggestion would be dont lie about it on any applications in the future and maybe read your handbook. I almost feel like that should have been a write up more so than you getting terminated. Best of luck.

You said you reported someone due to a med error and now someone has reported you for a med error. I feel that if this is the case, the DON may be buddies with the person you reported and she was forced to have to write her up, so now you are suffering due to it.

Specializes in LTC.
Hey LPNewbie- do us a favor and use the quote button at the bottom of the post to which you're reponding so we know to who you are replying.

Sound advice:

Objectively document facts of the situation and the outcomes. Use quotations of conversations to the best of your memory. This process will not only assist you in getting your story straight, keep pertinent facts in your mind, but will act as a catharsis for you.

I have documented numerous situations in my nursing career and this process has been an extremely useful tool when dealing with situations such as this.

My process is to write or type out facts randomly: names, dates, situations, what was said, etc, whatever comes to mind. EVERYTHING. Then, I arrange everything in a chronological order so my documentation flows like a story from the start to the finish.

We are here as your virtual supporters, LPNewbie and wish to see that you get the realistic and fair treatment you deserve!

Hey thanks for the tip! I know I ought to call HR but I'm afraid if they are going to make everything worse. After all, where was HR when they decided to simply terminate me instead of discipline?

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Another nurse found my error. In the past I've made a med error but I haven't heard from the BON. I had zero intention to hurt anyone nor gain from this event.

I very much doubt you will be turned into the BON for this. Take a look at the discipline section of your states BON website to see the kinds of things nurses lose their license over. Chalk this up as a lesson about proper documentation. Also get yourself some .

Hppy

Specializes in LTC.
Really Sorry that youre going through as it seems like an honest mistake.Honestly Im surprised they fired you... Its easy to get pulled away from the cart at any moment, especially when most places are so chronically understaffed. I try not to sign off before they actually take it but Id hate to have it "missing" if I got pulled away before I got a chance to sign it out. This is one of those situations that makes me feel like nursing can be impossible at times. Like we are damned if we do damned if we dont. If the pill was recovered the BON might not do anything at all. Honestly most DONs I know wouldnt even report it unless it was a narc missing or theres a pattern or suspect youre diverting. Try no to cry, whats done is done. Focus on what you can do from here going forward. Also dont think if you have one mistake no one will hire you either. Sometimes it can be hard but there are some really good DONs out there that are willing to give someone a chance to prove themselves.My only suggestion would be dont lie about it on any applications in the future and maybe read your handbook. I almost feel like that should have been a write up more so than you getting terminated. Best of luck.

My spirit is completely broken. I honestly tried to take the experiences of my last job and apply them to this job. When we had the blizzard and one of the girls randomly quit without notice, I was the one who stayed. No one had asked me to. I chose to. Also I was famous for picking up for others too. I was ready to leave my shift but saw the staff being swamped so I stayed to help. All the good I did for nothing. How quickly did they forget? My best wasn't even good enough.

Specializes in LTC.
You said you reported someone due to a med error and now someone has reported you for a med error. I feel that if this is the case, the DON may be buddies with the person you reported and she was forced to have to write her up, so now you are suffering due to it.

That is exactly what I feel like had happened. I wasn't the best nurse but I clearly showed proof of getting better. I almost wish I hadn't said anything.

Specializes in LTC.
I agree with yourself and others who have stated that firing you over this medication is indeed harsh.

From your post, I am thinking that you didn't ask if they plan to report you to the BON. I would have asked them what they planned to do. My guess is that unless this medication was a controlled substance, nothing else will come from your firing.

The HWD said that they had reported me to the state. I'm not sure if they reported just a med error or false documentation. I was afraid and didn't want to lose it in front of them.

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