Well.. I guess I am going to be canned

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Specializes in Geriatrics/family medicine.

You will find a better opportunity at least you learned from it and you will be a better nurse now

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.
I wonder why the housekeeper did not tell the appropriate person- who could have handled putting the tape on?

The housekeeper DID tell the appropriate person--the OP! OP watched as the housekeeper applied the tape to the thigh of the patient in isolation

Clearly this patient is a kook is the application of tape causes a worsening of their PTSD... but who knows.

So, did you learn that term in your psych rotation? smh

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 20,908 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
So, did you learn that term in your psych rotation? smh

As a matter of fact I did......;).

CLEARLY my reference is in jest and NOT a part of a patient care plan initiative nor a part of a permanent record of this patient.

This is a comment on an anonymous social media board that happens to have nurses as members. As a nurse of 35 years I think every now and then I can reference a patient as being a kook in response to a situation in which I think a nurse was wrongly terminated.

If you find the term offensive...I apologize for I meant no personal disrespect.

Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.
lol at the idea of a pt claiming to have suffered ptsd over a house keeper putting a piece of tape on a bandage. What people will do to make a dollar these days.

Perhaps the housekeeper is Race X and the patient was once attacked by someone who was Race X. It doesn't mean the nurse deserves be fired over a housekeeper applying tape to a bandage, but it might explain the PTSD part.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 20,908 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Perhaps the housekeeper is Race X and the patient was once attacked by someone who was Race X. It doesn't mean the nurse deserves be fired over a housekeeper applying tape to a bandage, but it might explain the PTSD part.

I agree....^^^^^^^

jbedwards

27 Posts

I am actually glad I read this comment. I always thought it was a frivolous lawsuit myself, never really bothered to look into it! Good thing there was more to it!

cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP

7 Articles; 1,156 Posts

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I'm sorry but this is the dumbest thing I have ever read. It is mind blowing that a housekeeper putting a piece of tape on a bandage is now going to be a fireable offense. I would resign and move on to a different hospital, it sounds like they are gunning for your job.

!Chris :specs:

For those who think that something like this can be grist for a lawsuit - I disagree. I think it would be hard for the pt to prove causation, i.e., that this event caused PTSD or severe stress or whatever. But I guess stranger things have happened.

OP: don't ever again agree to let anyone work outside their scope of practice, convenience, inconvenience, whatever. I guess if it's a true emergency, that would be different. I guess.

I know you won't. You do have brighter days ahead. Do NOT inform your next interviewer that this happened. You do not have to confess to anyone but God or your priest, depending on your religious views.

Leave this job off of your resume if possible. Just move on. You have learned from the experience. I think your employer was excessively harsh. They could have just said not to do that any more, but chose to fire you. That's overboard, I think. Have there been other problems?

Thank you Nurse Betty

Your reply made me feel a lot better. The deed has been done ( I was fired) and I don't think anyone will be going to the board of nursing. The Don was present and my nurse manager along with a HR rep who was supposed to be my advocate. They were alluding to concerns about me not practicing safely going forward. I have received corrective actions (education) 2 x before this for basic job knowledge. Again, I am a NEW nurse, who handles my job duties with efficiency and autonomy because my charge nurse is usually no help. I am looking at this as a CYA from now on AND will be careful about patients, staff, managers and every damned body else. I am in Florida, no union. In the interview, I was lauded for my confidence and demeanor in never seeming to fluster as a new grad RN with the intense pace of the floor. Tks, yet got a backhanded compliment with "my never asking questions scared the manager". Um.. what? So.. maybe it is best that we separated. It seems like the place was not nurturing at all.

Never, never, never think that HR is YOUR advocate. HR is there to protect the hospital, to make sure that policies and laws are followed in whatever proceedings are happening by the hospital's agents (your bosses). YOU, I hate to inform you, are of no value to them beyond your last good day there. It's not just you, it's anyone who works for anyone else. Particularly people like nurses, who are easily replaced, are of no value to their employers. Oh, they need to fill the time slots, but any nurse will do. We let them walk on us because we need the pay and benefits.

If your boss was scared that you never asked questions, did she approach you about this concern? Damn, how are you supposed to know that you should ask questions? Most bosses want you to know everything, never bother them to have to think of answers or teach you anything.

Was this pt already diagnosed as PTSD? Or did this Dx come as a result of The Taping?

GM2RN

1,850 Posts

For those who think that something like this can be grist for a lawsuit - I disagree. I think it would be hard for the pt to prove causation, i.e., that this event caused PTSD or severe stress or whatever. But I guess stranger things have happened.

OP: don't ever again agree to let anyone work outside their scope of practice, convenience, inconvenience, whatever. I guess if it's a true emergency, that would be different. I guess.

I know you won't. You do have brighter days ahead. Do NOT inform your next interviewer that this happened. You do not have to confess to anyone but God or your priest, depending on your religious views.

Leave this job off of your resume if possible. Just move on. You have learned from the experience. I think your employer was excessively harsh. They could have just said not to do that any more, but chose to fire you. That's overboard, I think. Have there been other problems?

I agree that it would be difficult to prove. However, that wouldn't prevent someone from filing a suit and the OP would still have to defend the allegations. That alone could financially ruin someone, making invaluable.

dansamy

672 Posts

Specializes in Going to Peds!.

I agree that it would be difficult to prove. However, that wouldn't prevent someone from filing a suit and the OP would still have to defend the allegations. That alone could financially ruin someone, making malpractice insurance invaluable.

Exactly. And in the interests of self preservation, the hospital's position will be that both the nurse and the housekeeper were in violation of policy & procedure & disciplinary action was taken.

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