application problem

[grammy57]

How do I deal with this? I was suspended from work for refusing to work on my regular unit as they were asking me to do the things I am not trained to do. This puts me at risk to lose my license as well as putting patients at risk. When I refused, I was put on suspension. I am now looking for a new job, but the application asks if I have ever been disciplined. I cannot lie, but I'm not sure how to handle this. Please advise.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Agree with the above poster who pointed out that the question on the application was very likely referring to disciplinary actions on your license, not internal employer corrective action.

I agree with this as well. I've never seen an application that asks about discipline with a previous employer- that's something that's usually kept confidential between you, your manager and HR.

That said, OP, I would be careful about how many details you share with potential employers as you don't want to get a reputation as a problem employee at the interview and lose yourself a job. This sounds like a strange situation- I don't know of any situation where an employee can just refuse to work on their regular unit, the unit they were hired for and trained on. If your unit accepts trach patients, you need to ask for training on caring for trach patients.

[caliotter3]

Unless the application question directly states "disciplined at present employment" or some such wording, they are asking about your license, so you have to answer no. Have yet to see the question not pertain to the status of one's license with the respective board.

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

i agree with caliotter3, never seen a question about disclipline that was not related to boards of nursing......

you are no longer employed with former employer "because they asigned, you levels of care you were not familiar with....."

[macfar28]

Actually, I was just asked this during an interview and it was specifically "disciplined by an employer." I was surprised.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Going forward, the only thing I could advise is that if you are asked to care for patients that you are clinically inexperienced to deal with, ask for help with other disciplines.

In other words, to your supervisor I would ask "I know that patient XYZ is being weaned from the vent. I am to call RT to assist with this? What is your suggestion of how to proceed safely with this patient?"

If RT has a hair across their behinds regarding "don't touch my patient" I would firmly state that the MD order is such that this person needs to be weaned to whatever today. When shall you expect them to come do that? Should you get push back, that is when your charge nurse can handle that from there. Also to be honest "I have not done this before. This is something that in my time here, RT has been clear that they are to do this. I am more than willing to learn, however, I will need assistance to do so, so that the patient is safe."

Do not outright decline until you are clear on the policy, know the protocol, and ask for assistance of other disciplines, more senior nurses, and the specifics of the order.

"There were policies in place that were difficult to follow. The culture of the unit was such that teamwork was limited. In my practice, safe patient care is the goal."

Otherwise, unless they put a complaint on your license, and I am not sure that declining to take an assignment due to not being properly trained to do so would fall under this, as you declined the assignment, you did not take the assignment THEN decide you could not do it.

Speak to your malpractice carrier. Speak to your union rep if you have one. You could also ask the question to the BON in your state and get the specifics on declining to care for a patient you are inexperienced to. if you do not have on file a competency checklist that states you have been oriented/trained to the vents, this is also something to make clear.

Good luck going forward, and I hope this works out for you!