Being reported to BON

hello everyone

i am from MI and at a similar situation. My employer fired me because my patient was on bedpan for a long time which the assistant put in and developed a skin tear. They are reporting me to BON as neglect of duty because i did not get time to do a skin assessment on her that day and had i done i would have seen the bedpan

what happens when they report to BON i have no idea about this?

am i able to find another job? anybody knows anything pls help

please research I just got fired (probably under last 24 hours in frint page newsletter). Anyway a recent poster posted about her experience. Another place to look is Tired of Lazy nurses, another place to look in the most recent posts today.

Hope this helps.

Interesting, we just had a big discussion on this in my LAST NURSING CLASS EVER (yay!). The instructor, who has 10 years of experience as a nurse attorney, said if you are ever reported to the BON, you should get a nurse attorney to represent you ASAP. Also, before the situation ever occurs-- you should get your own private malpractice insurance. Make sure it covers legal representation (heaven forbid you ever actually need it) because some policies don't...and legal representation when you are called to the BON or to court is expensive! But whatever you get should FOR SURE have legal representation covered in your policy....hospitals have their own malpractice insurance and their own attorneys, but they typically represent the interests of the hospital, not the RN--and this nurse attorney was telling our class that some hospitals have turned around and sued the RN for the money that they had to pay to the patient(s) due to the RN's actions or lack of action. Be advised accordingly...and no matter what...COVER YOURSELF!

Thanks everyone for the replies. I did ask the NA about how the pt's bottom looked like since i did not get the time. she said there is a tegasorb which i knew from night report so i did not even doubt her. I documented that she has a tegasorb based on NA's saying. I did ask my HR what BON might do. she said they might do an investigation and may give me a probation or ask to attend a class. I am terrified. I have an interview tomorrow. My manager at that unit is willing to give me reference. THe patient has skin tear but probably will be discharged in a couple of days. A similar incident happened in another branch of the hospital and they sued hospital, i believe. I don't know if thats why they are taking such rigorous steps with me. This pt's family is fine. THey have been already notified.

what do u guys think the board might do in a case like this? i am more afraid of the board's action than getting another job. Please give me all information that you can. And prayers ofcourse