Please help me, I'm in trouble.

Nurses General Nursing

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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.

Just another tip.....after you write down every detail, make a copy for yourself that you have for your reference and then put the original in an envelope, address it to yourself and mail it to yourself. Also sign the back of the envelope across the flap. That will prove when you wrote the details down, the envelope will have the postmark and the signature across the back will show the envelope was never opened. When you get the letter in the mail, put it somewhere safe so if you ever need it, you have it. You will have a copy to use for your reference later on. That just shows the details when they were fresh in your mind and you didn't falsify the info to make your case stronger.

Hang in there.....

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Specializes in ER.
I admit to not knowing where you are going to get the money for an attorney, but you better start looking because you need one!!

maybe she has ? Hopefully so, as all nurses NEED to have it.

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Specializes in ER.

don't say that you want to die. It will be alright. You need to call your BON. Call a lawyer, call your HR department. Take a deep breath.

You know what you did and did not do. You are being accused of falsifying a record, of which you state you did not do. If you marked out (with a line) that is acceptable, and you wrote next to it the reason it was wasted (which technically it was wasted, into the wrong patient, but you provided your reason). I don't believe it was reason for termination, and neither should you. Don't take this lying down. Make waves, make HUGE waves. You have been employed there for some time, you have been loyal, on time, etc. etc. use all of that in defending yourself and pleading your case. DEMAND to be heard. Refuse to accept someone vilifying you (your manager). Call your carrier first (if you have one), the BON, and call your facility's HR department to let them know what you are doing, that you do not accept the fact you were terminated and will pursue this.

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Specializes in ER.
How on earth can u be reported without a formal enquiry by the BON and the hospital? You should have reported this to a senior nurse then completed all the correct paperwork, then informed the nursing shift manager for the hospital.

I would call the BON and query everything re this. How can they do this as casually as they have done?

I don't think you should have written anything in the book/manifest re this. It does look like ur trying to cover something up. We don't do that in Australian hospitals- we are not allowed to write notes in the drug book, and if there is an error, say a RN wrote down the wrong amount of a drug it has to be crossed out with a single line and signed by two RNs, so it's still readable.

I dunno what country ur from. We would complete incident reports. The only other person to write notes in the drug book when counting the drugs are our pharmacists, and then it's usually a senior pharmacist.

You need to be extremely careful with any durgs, do all your checks, check them 4 or 5 times if you need to, and always check with another RN. I know people get stressed and get behind, but it saves drug errors in the end.

Contact a senior manager at the hospital and get some advice if you can, I don't know what else to suggest at the mo, but I hope u get it sorted out.

she works in a long term care facility (or rehab), where there are not usually more than one nurse on - from what I can recall.

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

I am so sorry. I have no words of wisdom, others have posted very good suggestions. Try not to dwell on the possibilities 24/7. Your documentation was not perfect, but adequate enough to explain what happened.

They can't eat you, or kill you:redbeathe Whether or not this breaks you is up to you.

Please keep us updated. There are very kind and smart nurses here.

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I know firsthand that getting fired is one of the scariest feelings I've ever had. The first week is especially bad, but please trust me, you will move forward from this and it won't be so bad in a few days. You have extra stressors since you're single and have children, but it will get better.

The first thing you need to do is file for unemployment. Do not assume you will not be approved just because you were fired. I was fired, not laid off, because my boss did everything in her power to get rid of me. When I told unemployment I was fired, they didn't approve me because they were not interested in hearing my side of the story and simply denied me since I wasn't laid off. But I filed an appeal and I won because the judge listened to what I had to say. But please do this ASAP because the process takes a while.

Secondly, I would just start looking for another job. You do not have to give them any details about being reported to the BON, if this even happens. One poster made a good point: just because she said she'd report you doesn't mean she actually will. No one wants to go to court. She might have just been trying to scare you or said it out of spite. Who knows, but don't panic until it actually happens. Even if they DO report you, it doesn't necessarily mean you will lose your license.

And thirdly, take the advice of what all these kind people have had to say. I truly wish you the best of luck. :)

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Just tell the board the truth and hope for mercy. Im shure it will be fine as far as the board goes. If i was a board member i would not vote to revoke.

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Hi Shelly,

I read all the posts associated with your original. I won't go into great length, as you have received good info. I remember starting a renewed RN career at the age of 45 with 3 children, a single mom with lousy child support from my wealthy ex. I know some truths from reading your input: you are honest, you have a conscience, and you are worried about sullying a career which you have worked hard to attain. Here's more: you are responsible, you tried to help out your facility by taking on a tough work load, and your children are very important to you. You work hard to make a good life for your kids. You are not a bad person - I have seen a few nurses give the wrong meds to patients and not say a word. So, for now, keep yourself busy with tasks. Do your homework. Do web research. Don't forget Legal Aid as a resource....every town has legal aid (costs are not paid until the end of the case and are based on your income). Don't forget to make your own reports to boards of nursing and CNOs. And remember allies you have in your workplace. Get them to write you letters of recommendation. Look into per diem work - nothing too heavy, as you have plenty to keep you busy with your case. You don't have to disclose to everyone that you have been let go. You can be exploring other career paths. Keep your focus. Keep the faith. Keep on being Mom. A friend of my daughter's who recently finished law school is really hurting for employment. She has major debt from school and no permanent job in sight in her field of immigration law. You know that there are a lot of new grads in the same position in the field of employment law. Major law schools have connections. I feel confident that you can get legal help...you may just have to do more homework to find the right attorney for you who will work either pro bono or for reduced rates. We are all here for you anytime you need to reach out. You can do this, my friend. Nurses are strong people. You aren't the first, and you won't be the last, to make a mistake in the workplace. The patient is fine.

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Specializes in Trauma/Critical Care.
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.

Shelly,

First of all, please know you have so many people praying for you, as we speak:hug: Do not loose heart, difficult times, either break you or make you stronger.

From a pratical standpoint, you need to:

1) Apply for unemployment ASAP

2) Contact your state nursing board(maybe someone there can give you some orientation about your chances with your case). They also can refer you to (hopefully) to some reasonable legal advice around your area.

3) Start looking for another job. Hope for the best, hopefully you previous employer will have something better to do than waste his/her time, trying to ruin someone's career.

4) Are you able to contact any of your co-workers or previous supervisors and get a feel for the situation??

But please snap out of it and start moving...

Best of luck, and please keep us posted.:redbeathe:redbeathe

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Big sigh...I woke up...thank you for all the wonderful advice on here. Im going to hit the street...well actually the internet, and get started. Keep ya posted...btw got a call last night...the DON wants to meet...what that means is to do the termination and then all of admonostration ESCORTS YOU OFF THE PROPERTY., I have NO desire to go face to face with anyone. Suggestions?

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Here's a suggestion re. the DON: Are you sure that their motives are to terminate you and escort you OTP? If you are sure, then there is nothing that says that you have to jump when they say Jump. You can put this off a little, until you get some legal advice. You can also tell them that you are consulting with your state's BRN - then call them (BRN) and see what they have to say. Buy a little time to get more info so you don't feel like you are being blindsided. You have rights too. We all darn well know that if you were an MD or attorney they would not jump until they had some advice. You have a license and are a professional. Always remember that before you give in to any intimidation. Winston Churchill used to picture any opponents in nothing but socks. When you are ready, picture yourself with all of us behind you. Then picture the DON in nothing but socks.

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The DON is only trying to cover his/her tracks. Only meet with her with a lawyer/witness present. A lawyer should be able to sue the DON and facility for contributing to the med error by unsafe staffing and also for making false allegations against you.

At least the threat of a lawsuit might make them back off

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