Can this nurse be saved?

[hotflashion, BSN, RN]

Some of you old enough to recognize the structure of the title (Can this ... be saved?) might be amused. Maybe not. I come from a family that makes jokes when the circumstances are dire, and mine are dire right now.

I have to say, I shot myself in the foot.

I was recently fired. For writing another nurse's initials on a MAR. I did it on impulse, to plug the hole; I had nothing to personally gain from this action, and everything to lose.

I've had very few Nursing Jobs since graduating in 2009 after (oh, how ironic) a stellar academic career: two jobs were seasonal and two were at substandard places that did not do things the right way. At the first of those two places that did not do things the right way, I recognized it, felt that my license was in danger, gave my notice and kept my wits about me until I finished my two weeks. Then I reported them to the Department of Public Health and the Division of Industrial Accidents and got satisfaction from what was found.

The second time around, I felt more desperate to keep the job, and didn't pay attention to the danger signs that I was becoming overwhelmed. Instead of rising above it all, I allowed myself to be dragged down into the muck.

Both places I worked at filled holes in MARs at the end of the month. And in both places, although an attempt was made to get the nurse on shift to plug the hole, sometimes it was not possible and the hole was plugged, one way or another, by someone.

Is there anyway I can redeem myself?

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Yes, you can. Start applying for new jobs, and be upfront about why you were fired, where and why you picked up that practice (filling in holes in the MARs) and how you want to start fresh and what you're planning on doing differently. People make mistakes, and hopefully some facility somewhere will recognize that it's sometimes better to hire someone who has already learned from their mistakes than to hire someone who will end up learning from their mistakes on the job.

[hotflashion, BSN, RN]

Thank you blondy. I will read and heed.

[RoyalPrince]

You used another nurse's initials on MAR? I am sorry thats forgery on a legal medical document. There are no excuses. you could have caused THAT nurse in a trouble as well with your actions that you did not foreshadow.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I guess you now know that you should never sign anothers name/initials on anything. I leave a sticky note reminding a person they need to sign something. Although I hate the holes, it's all CYA for me! It's not worth the loss of your job and the only thing I can say is that I bet you will never do that again.

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

In reading your post, OP, I almost feel like we've worked at the same facility. I haven't worked there in a LONG time, and when I got out of school as an LPN and got hired it really had a stellar reputation in the community. I left as soon as I could find another job, but it was a scary place before I left.

We had the month long MARs and toward the end of every month, the DON and some of the other "PTB" would start trying to get initials done. My charge nurse got really ugky one night, they were expecting a state inspection any day, and she told me that before I left my shift the next am, all the spots without initials needed to "be there" or else. Needless to say, I wasn't employed there long after that.

Anne, RNC

[Hygiene Queen]

the DON and some of the other "PTB" would start trying to get initials done. My charge nurse got really ugky one night, they were expecting a state inspection any day, and she told me that before I left my shift the next am, all the spots without initials needed to "be there" or else.

I guess if she was so worried about it and didn't think signing your initials to things you didn't do was okay, I would kindly suggest that she fill those holes with her own initials.

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

Yep, I got out of there as soon as I could.

[PunkBenRN]

Lesson learned. Chin up, wash the dirt off.

[acbrn88]

Ahs blatantly wrong as it sounds to do that, I too have worked LTC and understand the unreasonable expectations of management. You can get bogged down. Did, they report it to your BON? If not apply for other jobs and be up front about the whole thing. Thats the only thing you can do!! And also... how hypocritical of them for letting you go. Watch out for stuff like this in the future and just put your foot down. I have been asked to do un-ethical things (LTC) and its why I left. Back-timing things and putting someone elses initials in are a big deal, shame on them for expecting such. Lessons learned the hard way are the ones never forgotten!!

[niteguy65]

As with the other post all you have to do is own and let you potential new employeer know about and you have learned from it. I too have an colorful employeement record, and when I go into an interview all questionable areas I confessed up and let them know it was a lasp in judgement and I have learned from that mistake and I will not make that mistake again.

[FMF Corpsman, MSN, RN]

I have to say, I shot myself in the foot.

I was recently fired. For writing another nurse's initials on a MAR. I did it on impulse, to plug the hole; I had nothing to personally gain from this action, and everything to lose.

I've had very few nursing jobs since graduating in 2009

First off, I'm not trying to be critical, but you leave me little choice with your post. You say you've had very few nursing jobs in the past three years, but I'm sorry, I count at least 4 if not 5. AND, now if you are fortunate enough to land another... You are not doing yourself any favors, graduating in 09, I presume you are relatively young, and just starting out your career. Here you've already had 4-5 different positions in 3 years, what do you think that tells future employers? Especially when you tell them why you left or were forced to leave. It doesn't speak well of you as a Nurse, even with the best of intentions, as you can't tell anyone that on job interviews, they would be afraid that you would report them as well for the slightest infraction. They would be afraid to take a chance with you. You are right, I'm afraid you have shot yourself in the foot, and I'm afraid you are going to have to hobble around for a bit, until it heals. You may have to take whatever you can get for a while and work your butt off and build some stability, that means stay put for a while if you didn't understand. Even if you don't like the job. So when you go out applying for work, you need to try and find the best fit you can because you're going to need to stay there for a good while to make up for all of the jumping around you've already done. Who knows, if you are very lucky, you might find a great job that you love. The one that makes getting out of bed worthwhile. That is after all, what life and nursing is all about.