Please help me, I'm in trouble.

[ShellyRn1117]

Hello. I have been a nurse for about eight years. I have been employeed in a skilled rehab unit for about five years. This past weekend I made a serious med error. I gave a resident another residents medication. I administered oxycontin 20 Mg instead of the ordered oxycodone 10 '=: This was realized at change of shift. As soon as I realized the error I assessed the ot and contacted the doctor as well as told the nurse assuming care of this pt. I told my supervisor that I had made a med error and she said make sure you call the MD. I did not go into details as it wa already two hours past the end of my shift, and you do get written up for being late out. Not to mention that I had twice as many patients as I should have due to staffing problems. Later that same night the supervisor calls me for clarification. I did not fill out the proper paper work. More importantly I wrote in the drug manifest "Wasted" To adjust the count from the pt that I took the meds from. After I wrote that I thought well its not actually wasted so I documented beside my signature "Given to wrong patient" In a very small space. Well long story short a few days later my DON questioned me statng that I falsified the document, I was being terminated and reported to theboard. I am in complete shock.. she said it looked like a cover up. But remember I told the other nurse and called the doctor and no harm came to the patient...thank god. Now im out of a job, will face the board and I don't know how to get a job after being fired. Please please help me.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

I'm sure I will be. Under her microscope...what do I tell others when they ask about where I hqve been or ask me about the rumors? The latest rumor is I was fired for steeling drugs...narcotics nonetheless!

Shelly, you tell them that there is now way on God's green earth that you would still be employed if the allegations against you were true. Leave it at that.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Hmmm...I'm willing to bet they might look into the DON...on my way out, I might call the 1 800 corp compliance line anon if you have one.

Yeah, stay...do your job..cross the ts and dot the i and keep looking for another job.

[caliotter3]

Congrats on the victory, even though it was probably only an act in the self interest of the corp. They did not want to lose in litigation. Now, waste no time getting a new job. Good luck.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Congrats on the victory, even though it was probably only an act in the self interest of the corp. They did not want to lose in litigation. Now, waste no time getting a new job. Good luck.

This really, is what you need to do.

[WIN007]

Can u believe that my company has facilities in 30 States and my facility has more than 300"Nursing stagg including GNA'S?

::sigh:: Oh, nevermind.

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

OOne last thing, I'm taking away alot of life lessons from my pain.

Do not trust co workers

you do not go to work to make friends

you do not need to be accepted by the clique to have self worth

do not give all of yourself to your employer but its ok to give all of yourself to your patients.

be honest at all cost.

document document document...then document more

carry liability insurance.

save money for tough times no matter how hard it is to do.

love and respect yourself and have faith in yourself and your abilities.

do not sacrifice today for what may not exist tomorrow.

Shelly

You ask what do you tell the other workers; you don't have to tell them anything. Take your own advice as written above because it is sage. Now you need to negotiate for the lost wages that were incurred during this outrageous episode. Yes; you do, please don't let them get away with it or have they offered them back to you already. If they haven't tell them your lawyer will be negotiating the terms; and if they don't then get a hold of a lawyer and get them back. If you decide not to remember what they tried to do to you and document any future events that happen at work; in fact you should keep a daily work journal until you secure employment somewhere else.

BTW; it doesn't matter if your real name is your screen name. And if the DON is reading this then they know how illegal they were and you could sue for lost wages, pain & suffering, lawyer fees. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...better get her lost wages back to her

This truly was a great lesson for all. thank-you and I wish you and your family well.

[Bella'sMyBaby]

*****UPDATE*******

Well I had the meeting today with the administrator that I respect. I got my job back, I was wrongfully terminated! Corporate HR was told that there was a ton of disciplinary action in my file which is false but is why I was actually terminated. I did receive a suspension that has been served. What do you think? I'm sure that the DON will really have it out for me now as she is in trouble bc she in all actually falsified documents, my file. At least this way I can find another job and l can leave on good terms, MY TERMS, and I will not have a termination or board action investigation against me. Thank you all for your support! I would appreciate any continued guidance on this matter.

Thanks

Shelly-The humble

Shelly, I'm glad your name was cleared but I can tell you, if this psychotic DON is still there, she WILL start a paper trail on you...Do you have any Vacation/Personal time? Maybe you can take a "Medical Leave" & start looking for another job. You can best bet that HR has told the facility how to have "everything in order" if they do decide to terminate you at some point in the future...And as for this Administrator that you "respect", well he threw you under the bus once, who says he won't do it again? Trust nobody; he is NOT your friend.

[gillymomma84]

I lost my job to a similar situation but it wasn't bad enough to face the board, but I did get fired. I wanted to quit nursing career altogether but just realized I needed to get out of the crazy understaffed hospital and am now doing much better in a long term setting.

[Willow Moonsidhe]

You made a mistake and nurses are human. Sounds like you have gotten solid advice from the post but I will be praying for you and your family. Willow

[xluescluesx]

If she tries to come after you for retaliation, that would be very stupid of her. She'd be begging to get sued. If anything, she'll probably lay off you. At least that's what I think.

[ShellyRn1117]

I love how she said to me Friday, No hard feelings...sheesh

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Why this DON is still employed if you have proof that she "lied" and "falsified" documentation is beyond me. PLEASE tell me you obtained copies of all of the false and incorrectly filed documents in your file.