Constantly get frivolous complaints filed

[Scottbemis]

Hi,

I was wondering if this happens to anyone else, but no matter where I work within the first month there are always complaints about my work. When these are finally brought to my attention (by a manager or DON *never the person making the complaint*), I explain my thought process and the manager agrees with me and it goes away until another one pops up.

My background - nurse for 4 years, EMT for 6 years. I have worked in psychiatric nursing, rehab nursing, skilled nursing and long-term care (because I can't get a job in a hospital - but that is another issue).

What are my options? I am at the point of wanting to give up nursing...

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

It is probably just the culture of your hospital. I always got letters of commendation, kudos, etc., everywhere I worked, for over 20 years. Then I took a job at my current hospital... this place takes every little frivolous complaint/comment as the Gospel Truth, regardless how silly the complaint. Instead of standing up for their nurses, everything is the nurse's fault, period. Maybe your facility is like that, meaning taking every silly thing to heart instead of educating the patient/family.

[RNIBCLC]

It is probably just the culture of your hospital. I always got letters of commendation, kudos, etc., everywhere I worked, for over 20 years. Then I took a job at my current hospital... this place takes every little frivolous complaint/comment as the Gospel Truth, regardless how silly the complaint. Instead of standing up for their nurses, everything is the nurse's fault, period. Maybe your facility is like that, meaning taking every silly thing to heart instead of educating the patient/family.

I would normally agree but the OP implied that he has had this issue for four years and multiple jobs. I don't think "the culture" follows him around.

[kaylee.rn]

If it was specifically the nursing action that was complained about, what were the details of the examples? How low was the sugar? If it is less than ... then the bs must be done q15 ... etc. Maybe they saw it as irresponsible to take lunch when the patient was unstable??

[HappyWife77, BSN, RN]

Hypoglycemia can be scary for patients and families. You probably should have stuck around for the following up of a stable bg reading. It goes up quickly in my experience, so that really would not have delayed your lunch that long. Other nurses probably complained because they didn't want to cover your unstable patient while doing their job too.

I would seriously own every compliant and ask how I can change to avoid the same mistake again?

Focus on walking in integrity and ownership of your practice and your workmanship. You obviously care about the accusations because you came here to ask about the situation.

I have felt like I lost trust in people who won't admit their mistakes. How can we trust people who won't even glimpse at a possibly they have misstepped?

We have ALL done it, the real gem is in learning and accepting, (not denying) and taking ownership and moving forward. I can accept if someone accepts as well....its just easier.

Ask how you can improve....Go in with an open mind, try to remove or "lift" any and every emotion you feel about it. Just look at the facts and the suggestions. Good luck!

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Currently - pt had low bs, had staff give him milk and high sugar snacks (note he had minimal signs of hypoglycemia) and I went to lunch knowning it would take time to increase his bs. Took his bs when I got back and it was normal. = complaint

Some possibilities....is there a hypoglycemia order set? Does it include "high sugar" snacks (I know ours does not include many "simple" carbs other than juice)? Did you otherwise follow it exactly? I would think it kinda crappy of the nurse that turned you in not to just come to you and ask about it.

As for the lunch issue, did you give a complete report to a covering nurse or just go to lunch while your pt sat there with a low BG? Did someone know to check to make sure the pt. was eating the food you provided? Does policy require you to retake their CBG in a given amount of time? Was it due sooner than you got back from lunch?

I'm not trying to criticize your practice, just offering some ideas for why other nurses might have turned you in.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I am telling you what I know.

As far as the complaint, one was going to lunch while the pt was getting his milk/high sugar snacks and the other one was not placing a foley in the patient.

You have no reason to believe me, but I am the first to admit making a mistake and if I had rose colored glasses out, it wasn't about me. It was thinking that I could work in a professional field and recieve a professional level of respect. Anytime I had an issue with something a co-worker did, I took it to them so they could explain why they did/didn't do something.

The question I am asking is of this is something common (or isolated to me) and what are my other options in nursing - primarily because I don't think this will stop (4 years and multiple jobs).

And it could be just me, I could be a terrible nurse for all I know...

Complaints have always come from other nurses and always female.

I would be sure that you document accordingly. As far as the blood sugar issue, what is the facility policy on re-checks? Usually around a half an hour. Which you can prove with documentation?

The foley issue--patients can refuse, and this one did, and you documented same? Called MD who discontinued the catheter, pending that patient could void and was continent? Again, documented?

Seems like the complainer(s) in these situations need to LOOK at the documentation and know their orders as well before getting all whooped up. And the DON also should do the research and look at your documentation before taking you aside to discuss.

Make sure that you a) CYA and document everything. b) that you have orders to back up documentation and c) have your own malpractice insurance, as you don't know what the heck ails people and you do not want to be on the receiving end of their inability to follow an amended plan of care or policy.

Sorry this has been happening to you.