Other nurses signing my initials

[stelarRN]

Today as I was doing my med pass I noticed 2 separate spaces where someone had filled in my initials for the previous day's meds on the MAR. Isn't this illegal?

I'm usually on top of the MAR, as my facility is very strict on there not being any blanks when we leave our shift, but I'm only human. Also, no matter what the circumstance, you should never fill in another nurse's initials/signature anywhere!

I feel like mentioning this to my supervisor, because it really upsets me, but I work in a place where management isn't on my side. They only care about themselves and not being audited by consultants.

What would you do?

[Vanillanut, DNP, RN, APRN]

I don't think the people on this board are trying to be harsh or sharp because you forgot to initial meds. I think that happens to anyone sometime in their career. However, perhaps the tone of where the posts were going was because another nurse was trying to save your job and you from getting in trouble. Yes, it was wrong, no doubt about it (and somewhat stupid on behalf of the other nurse). But to me, it seems like you're more caught up with the fact that she signed on your behalf then the fact she tried to save you.

If you are concerned about it, and management is not on your side, then simply thank the person for trying to cover for you but instead ask her to phone you in, if this is the procedure. You will appreciate it, and I'm sure she will too, as she won't have to stick her neck out anymore.

Perhaps this post rubs people the wrong way because in general, sometimes nurses may go out of their way to do something for somoene else and all that comes is an all-too-familiar slap in the face (I am speaking in broad general everyday terms, not only your post). I'm just sayin'...

[Emergency RN]

I don't think the people on this board are trying to be harsh or sharp because you forgot to initial meds. I think that happens to anyone sometime in their career. However, perhaps the tone of where the posts were going was because another nurse was trying to save your job and you from getting in trouble. Yes, it was wrong, no doubt about it (and somewhat stupid on behalf of the other nurse). But to me, it seems like you're more caught up with the fact that she signed on your behalf then the fact she tried to save you.

If you are concerned about it, and management is not on your side, then simply thank the person for trying to cover for you but instead ask her to phone you in, if this is the procedure. You will appreciate it, and I'm sure she will too, as she won't have to stick her neck out anymore.

Perhaps this post rubs people the wrong way because in general, sometimes nurses may go out of their way to do something for somoene else and all that comes is an all-too-familiar slap in the face (I am speaking in broad general everyday terms, not only your post). I'm just sayin'...

Or like they say in nursing, No Good Deed Ever Goes Unpunished. The other nurse should have immediately flagged the missing MAR slots for administrative attention. In fact, I hope the OP prints out this thread and shows it to the "helpful" nurse to clue him or her in to the fact that sometimes, these "acts of kindness" are not appreciated and that some people you try to help may actually turn you in. Enuf said.

[stelarRN]

Vanillanut, the problem is I'm not sure who signed those initials. My DON is known to do whatever it takes to make herself look good, maybe it was her. Or it could have even been medical records, as they're the same way when consultants visit.

But you're right maybe I am focusing on the wrong thing. If it was a fellow nurse and she was trying to help then I more than appreciate it. Even if I don't necessarily agree with it..

[Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN]

So none of you have ever forgotten to sign for a med in the MAR?

I understand where you're coming from and agree completely. While I feel management isn't on my side, the usual protocol is that they call the nurse and ask them to come sign it, even on their day off if necessary. But they didn't do that, they took it upon themselves to fill in my initials. I use a certain kind of pen, and it's obvious that it wasn't me signing.

I understand that I'm in the wrong for making an error in not signing, but IT HAPPENS. This is LTC with 40+ patients, and a huge workload. No matter how strict my managers are.. it happens because we're not robots.

I still feel it's wrong, but maybe you're right. I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't.

When I worked in LTC, if one of us forgot to initial the MAR we would leave eachother sticky notes, or circle the uninitial space, ask your co-workers if you guys can implement this in case this happens again. Ive had people initial for me in the past, but I spoke to the people who work on the unit regularly and this is what we agreed on and it seemed to work. I dont think the other nurse meant any harm to you but I would talk to her 1st, especially if you DID give the meds, before reporting her.

[systoly]

Vanillanut, the problem is I'm not sure who signed those initials. My DON is known to do whatever it takes to make herself look good, maybe it was her. Or it could have even been medical records, as they're the same way when consultants visit.

But you're right maybe I am focusing on the wrong thing. If it was a fellow nurse and she was trying to help then I more than appreciate it. Even if I don't necessarily agree with it..

Yet the title reads "Other nurses signing my initials"

[MelissaLPN, ASN, LPN, RN]

I think just let the other nurse know that it was not necessary. At this point, there is only one way to look at it. No one can say those are not your initials but you. ( unless it is called into question by a handwriting expert) The care was given by yourself and the mar indicates the truth. Yes you did not sign it and if there was ever a problem, sadly it would only come back to really bite the other nurse. Its not the crime, its the cover up. She opened herself up to possible repercussions. Your part in this is that you failed to sign. No matter what she does, your mistake is the same. She only added herself into a bad situation. I wouldnt worry about it. Just let her know you appreciate it but that you dont want to draw her into your mess. I personally dont sign for anyone, on anything. We are all human, forgetting to sign is the nature of the beast. You are not responsible to police the mar and bring to light any wrong doings by co-workers, especially when it is done to cover you!

On a side note. We recently did an inservice on documentation for nursing staff. The jist was " dont make staff feel like holes need to be filled." Their reasoning is that management places unnecessary pressure on dotting all the I's and crossing all the T's that it gives staff the impression they would rather they falsify the documentation. They stated it is easier to justify a hole ( ie a mistake) than to justify a falsification to a jury!