scared and alone...need advice...please

Jenny P · Apr 1, 2001

Sammy, you have to remember that the Board of Nursing is made up of people, most of them are nurses, and that those people and nurses on the Board are just as much human as the rest of us are. I've attended Board of Nursing meetings in my state and have talked with Board members about being and working short staffed. You need a lawyer to help you through this; not because you have done something so terribly wrong, but because you are a basket case (sorry for the terminology) and need someone to help hold you together. Do you have co-workers who can help and support you? Have you talked to any friends and asked for their support? Just because you didn't chart something does not necessarily mean it wasn't done. It means you are as human as the rest of us. It is important to remember to chart what you've done, but I'm willing to bet that every nurse doesn't remember to chart everything all of the time.

An informal hearing does not mean you are being handed a death sentence- it means that the Board of Nursing is gathering information to hear your side of the story and they will consult with each other. A lawyer would help you get the correct documents (such as time cards from that time, your Nurse of the Year award, the actual chart documents, and maybe even your charting for that day for several other patients, etc.) if you would have notified one in time. Now that you are down to the last few days, this may be harder for a lawyer to do, but don't give up hope.

I have been surprised at the number of nurses who had problems that brought their cases up to the Board of Nursing and that had written testimony but did not go personally in front of the Board. I have seen our State Board respond more favorably to nurses that actually were there in person than to those who were "available by phone" for further questions. I don't remember the Board ever calling any of those nurses on the phone; and I wonder why those nurses did not attend the meeting that would decide what would happen to their careers.

Remember, you are in charge of your own life. You may not be in control of it, but you have the power to change it for the better and be responsible for what happens. Take charge of what does happen here with the help of your friends, family, and God. Good luck and God bless.

Brownms46 · Apr 1, 2001

Hi Sammy,

I understand what you're going through about your divorce. I was also in Texas, in fact right there in San Antonio! I thought I wouldn't be able to make it throught the next minute, let alone the next hour! I can't even imagine the added burden of something happening to my license, but I know there is hope, and it always seems we imagine the worst, and it most times, it never comes to pass. Sammy, I sincerely believe, that all will work out for you, and I agree with the post, for you to imagine, being surrounded by comforting arms, of all of us!

I'm praying right now, that the Lord, will send his angels to give you strength, and courage. That He will carry you, and comfort you, in your time of need. That you would mount up on the wings of angels, and rest in their care. You have cared for others, and now it's time for you to be cared for. Yes find a lawyer, and be prepared, but envision the best for yourself, and I believe it will happen for you. Never give up!

Lord, If Sammy doesn't mind, I ask that you surround her with angels of mercy. She has cared for those of your children who were sick, and in need. Now dear Lord, let this angel of mercy also be care for. I know you know her, Lord, as she has been your instrument of loving kindness, for those she sought to bring comfort to, in their hour of need. You know her heart, and you know her pain, and you know exactly what she needs. Please Lord, I pray for Sammy, and her child. Let no further harm come to them, and provide the peace, that passes all understanding to her now, and she stands in need. Built a fence of protection around them, now and always. Amen

Brownie

MollyJ · Apr 1, 2001

1. Get a lawyer. If you have a malpractice carrier, contact them immediately to report the incident and ask them for assistance to find a lawyer with experience in this realm. Or use the contact buck suggested.

2. Get your depression taken care of, if you haven't already done so. Also take care of any other health concerns that may be impacting this situation.

3. Watch your self-talk. It is easy to do alot of self-condemnation talk when you are in a situation like this. The fact is, no one does perfect charting. When I was involved in some hospital based litigation, someone had forgotten to reset the Dinamapp time at daylight savings time change. Months later, in our case, it looks like we failed to take bps for an hour. Plaintiffs lawyers saber rattled, defense answered. Courts, juries and certainly nurses understand humanity. A careful chart review might expose corroborating information about your activities, as might interviewing your colleagues.

While there is a time for honesty and self-examination, you have to speak kindly to yourself in these situations. Affirmations include:

I am a caring and skillful nurse.

I am a lovable, mistake-making, worthwhile person.

I am allowed to be imperfect.

I can be responsible for my errors without dismissing my worth as a person.

You print these little sayings on cards and tape them to your bathroom mirror and put them in your purse and tape them to your car's dashboard and you say them ten times a day. At first you will feel silly saying them, but over time you will start to believe them, and you should.

4. Don't go to the hearing alone. Even if your lawyer is there, take a caring friend you can trust, an adult family member. In general, you are not supposed to talk about proceedings such as these with people, but everyone needs someone they can talk to: your best friend, a pastor..someone.

Good luck.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Apr 1, 2001

Dear Sammy:

The above posters have all offered excellent advice. Please also consider contacting your states Nursing Association. Most have a Nuring Practice advisor who can help recommend an attorney for you (if you don't have malpractice insurance)and can give you advice about your situation. We all forget to chart at some time as were human.

You don't have to go through this alone. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Let us know how things turn out.

theboss · Apr 1, 2001

sammy my heart goes out to you! i am concerned about your state of mind .. i dont know about your whole situation , but what i here in your words tells me you need to talk to someone asap.... i know that we dont know each other and i dont know if i can help your situation ,but i can be a friend to talk to... if you want to email me , we can talk on the phone ...the advice given on your post im sure can help, my prayers are with you and im here for you if you need a friend to talk to... alicia ps nobody , i mean no body is perfect, everyone makes misstakes..it doesnt mean your a bad nurse , only means your like the rest of us human!!!!hold your head up high !!!

[This message has been edited by theboss (edited April 01, 2001).]

moonchild20002000 · Apr 1, 2001

Sammy,

I found this quote

that may give you some comfort."A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself"--------Unknown

Try to take a few deep breaths,and let yourself relax a bit. We are are here to support you. Whatever you do DO NOT GIVE UP!

Your child needs you as well as your patients. You sound like a great nurse,one that I would be proud to work with. You may want to talk to someone re:depression.I don't think there is a one of us that has not needed a little help from time to time.

It may help you make a list of points you want to bring up at the hearing.Try to take your time before you answer.As for appealing a decision of the board,I really do not have any knowledge of how that works.My thoughts and prayers will be with you.

mud · Apr 1, 2001

I feel so terrible for you. You sound so frightened. No matter what has happened, you are only human. I am sure, just by reading what you have written, that you are a very kind, and caring nurse.....I am sure that others are aware of this as well....don't give up, this too shall pass.

mustangsheba · Apr 1, 2001

Sammy: Starting this moment, stop thinking of all the negative things that could happen to you and start thinking only positive thoughts. Picture yourself appearing before the Board serene and confident. You didn't commit a crime. We all make mistakes by virtue of the type of work we do. I don't even know of all the things I've not charted. I gave a Lovenox injection last night and nearly forgot to chart it because it's charted in a different place from other medications and I was interrupted (several times) before I returned to charting. If it had not been charted, I would have been called at home to see if I had given the med. Without knowing what your transgression involved, bringing a charting omission before the Board seems overzealous. I would think that would be more appropriate for intentionally charting something that didn't occur. I do notice that you're from Texas and the word "punitive" comes to mind. I have appeared before my nursing board, and I found them to be more interested in clarifying the situation and determining if some type of intervention were necessary than looking for something to punish. Again, Sammy, switch your mind to the positive. If you have one, take your attorney. I found that helpful just because he believed in me. Please keep in touch.