I hope someone could give me advice. I'm an LPN in the state of Pennsylvania for the past 12yrs without a single blemish or investigation on my license.
I recently received a letter that states an allegation of neglect against me was found to be true. What happened was my prior place of employment is accusing me of giving too much liquid narcotic to a resident. BTW, nothing happened to the resident, no side effects or injury. I was not fired over this, I resigned. Prior to my resignation I did meet with the facility administration and told them there would be times that I would not measure the medicine before giving it to the resident. I admitted to this thinking that I would just be placed on probation or suspension. Well I was wrong.
So my question is what will happen to me? Will I lose my nursing license? Will I be placed on probation or be suspended?
I do plan on appealing this, but I'm not sure if I should get a lawyer.
Can anyone tell me of a decent lawyer for nurses in the state of Pennsylvania? I live in the Scranton area BTW.
I have no clue what to do and ANY advice would be helpful and appreciated.
Again, I did not overdose the resident. Administration claims they have me on camera filling the plastic dosing cup with way too much medicine. I should have challenged their claim as the camera can not discern how much medicine is in a small plastic dosing cup. I panicked when confronted with this information and I should have demanded that show me the film. Hindsight is 20/20.
So because they told you they had a camera, you admitted to something you know you didnt do? With 12 years of experience on the job?
Either you arent being honest or you have a spectacularly bad decision.
Since the patient has to drink the medicine out of SOMEthing, why not just pour it into one of those 30 ml plastic med cups to begin with? Then it's measured ( i hope?), And they ingest it.
What , pray tell, we're they drinking it from, then ? Did you just splash some willy-nilly into a cup of pudding or something?
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
I'm flabbergasted.
Since the patient has to drink the medicine out of SOMEthing, why not just pour it into one of those 30 ml plastic med cups to begin with? Then it's measured ( i hope?), And they ingest it.
What , pray tell, we're they drinking it from, then ? Did you just splash some willy-nilly into a cup of pudding or something?
I'm not positive but I believe that we are talking about sublingual morphine. which is measured out in tiny amounts. Still every one I have ever seen comes with a dosing syringe.
You stated " Prior to my resignation I did meet with the facility administration and told them there would be times that I would not measure the medicine before giving it to the resident. I admitted to this thinking that I would just be placed on probation or suspension. Well I was wrong. "
I am curious as to why...
1. Why do you give medication without measuring the medication?
2. Knowing and assuming you have had formal education, and ongoing education regarding medication what made you come to the conclusion you would more than likely get probation or suspension?
Answering truthfully would really help me try to understand the situation better. I can assume (and add in my interpretation of what happened) but really your response would help me in the future with communication of staff.
I do know this
A nurse can cut corners when necessary but never when it comes to medication. I sit the cup on a flat surface and add the medication. If that flat surface is not at my eye level I bend down until that medication is at my eye level I do not pick it up. If the medication is in a syringe I hold the syringe up to my eye level to make sure the amount is correct. I never cut medication because even with a pill cutter it will not be the same as a professional pharmacy medication tablet cutter.
We can all develop some pretty nice and bad habits, this is one where I hope I never develop for my patient sake.
broughden
560 Posts
So because they told you they had a camera, you admitted to something you know you didnt do? With 12 years of experience on the job?
Either you arent being honest or you have a spectacularly bad decision.