what can you do when a nurse sets you up

I would NOT lay down my weapons yet. Your supervisor has someone he/she answers too, correct? That is the person in which I would appeal to next. Fight for the right thing. But if the DON is refusing to back you, and you are getting no support it is a toxic environment and I'd leave too.

Have you tried just flat out asking this nurse why she's doing this? Maybe if you try being direct and embarrass her by calling attention to the fact that she signed documentation stating that there were no cups of Meds left in the cart she'll feel stupid and stop. Something's not right here; she clearly has a personal vendetta against you... Or she's mentally ill. Or she's diverting narcs and trying to draw attention away from it. Something! I would draw attention to this and talk with the other nurses; sometimes knowing that people are aware of your behavior and gossiping about it can embarrass you enough to STOP. That's really weird though, idk what to make of it!

I'm not a nurse, but here is what I would do in that situation. At shift change speak with the nurse that makes these accusations smile and tell her that you have heard that she has reported you for leaving medications in cup, then show her the med cart and ask her does she see any meds in cup before you clock out, just so she can be comfortable in the fact that no meds are left before you leave. Also if you don't get along with her I have found that reverse psychology works like a charm because for some it's more about the power struggle then the subject itself. This can help to turn a trouble maker at work into a friend instead or at least someone who can tolerate you without complaining about you. For some reason some people we work with like to get us fired for their own personal feelings towards us and most of the time they are the lazy ones who can cause a very hard worker to loose their job. So try and be a friend, ask her how her day was, does she have children etc, once she see's that you are someone that she likes she will no longer pick on you.

I like the idea of being direct with this noxious person--especially if you could do it with a moderator (like a supervisor or manager). Flat out ask her, maybe by starting with "I've noticed that I seem to have this recurring problem with left-over meds on my cart when you work. I don't know why it keeps happening, and only when you're here. Do you have any ideas?"

Or you can bring it to the supervisor's attention by asking if, in order to prevent the recurrence of this strange phenomenon, there could be a sign-off sheet for "Cart Checked and Clean," maybe as part of signing off to the next shift. This way, just as a nurse who has signed off on the narc count cannot suddenly appear with a narcotic "missing" and blame the previous shift, an oncoming nurse can't just "find" a cup of left-over meds once s/he's signed off that the cart is clean.

If you have such a sign-off, and still got in trouble when left-over meds suddenly showed up, that would seem to indicate that it's not only that particular nurse you need to worry about. If your supervisor or manager is allowing you to get in trouble in spite of clear evidence that you're not doing anything wrong, go over their heads; with people like this, it's only a matter of time before they set you up in a dangerous way.

I like the idea of being direct with this noxious person--especially if you could do it with a moderator (like a supervisor or manager). Flat out ask her, maybe by starting with "I've noticed that I seem to have this recurring problem with left-over meds on my cart when you work. I don't know why it keeps happening, and only when you're here. Do you have any ideas?"

Or you can bring it to the supervisor's attention by asking if, in order to prevent the recurrence of this strange phenomenon, there could be a sign-off sheet for "Cart Checked and Clean," maybe as part of signing off to the next shift. This way, just as a nurse who has signed off on the narc count cannot suddenly appear with a narcotic "missing" and blame the previous shift, an oncoming nurse can't just "find" a cup of left-over meds once s/he's signed off that the cart is clean.

If you have such a sign-off, and still got in trouble when left-over meds suddenly showed up, that would seem to indicate that it's not only that particular nurse you need to worry about. If your supervisor or manager is allowing you to get in trouble in spite of clear evidence that you're not doing anything wrong, go over their heads; with people like this, it's only a matter of time before they set you up in a dangerous way.

I agree, if you've brought this to a supervisor's attention and it hasn't been addressed... Well objectively look at that supervisor. Are they friends outside of work? Maybe check FB for this info, if there are pics of them hanging out it's a clear indication that they are both equally involved in setting you up! In that case.... Idk, that's a tough situation!!

well, suddenly this nurse has not shown up in 2 days (called off twice now), so, no "meeting" as of yet. However, I have a witness statement that my cart was clean and checked prior to her taking the keys on said date, and her signature that the cart was in fact checked. When the witness statement was brought in today, suddenly the write up was withdrawn. Just an update.

well, suddenly this nurse has not shown up in 2 days (called off twice now), so, no "meeting" as of yet. However, I have a witness statement that my cart was clean and checked prior to her taking the keys on said date, and her signature that the cart was in fact checked. When the witness statement was brought in today, suddenly the write up was withdrawn. Just an update.

Good! If she comes back, I'd,personally, keep it real and tell her about the withdrawn write-up. I'd probably be really smug about it too;)

Due to the refusal of management to deal with that something that falls UNDER management IE: employee relation issues, I would find a new job regardless of whether or not this particular nurse stays. The supervisor doesn't want to be "involved" in something possibly occurring in her facility? Then she needs to step down as a supervisor if she doesn't want to get involved in facility happenings. I agree that this nurse could be diverting narcotics and is trying to turn the attention away from her. Not showing up for two days only adds fuel that suspicion. I would call your corporate employee assistance hotline.

Well, that's a nice twist! Maybe the threat of her losing HER job because of her little game shook her up a bit. When (if) she comes back, I would absolutely not turn keys over to her until you've both verified that there are NO med cups that she can blame on you. Your supervisor is an azz. I'd go above her head for not dealing with this the way a manager should.

well, suddenly this nurse has not shown up in 2 days (called off twice now), so, no "meeting" as of yet. However, I have a witness statement that my cart was clean and checked prior to her taking the keys on said date, and her signature that the cart was in fact checked. When the witness statement was brought in today, suddenly the write up was withdrawn. Just an update.

Glad to hear things are looking up. However, because of the poor management support you describe—both your nurse manager and the supervisor were totally useless—I would spend a little time looking around for other opportunities. The next time an issue comes up, will this nurse manager and/or supervisor be helpful? I doubt it. And though the natural next step is to go above the unhelpful manager or supervisor, doing so will likely make enemies of the manager, the supervisor and all the other managers and supervisors they confide in.

The shifty mean nurse is a bully, and unfortunately, bullies who are as bold as she is frequently have a ladder of bullies in the administration backing them.

OP: You did a very good job covering yourself with a witness unbeknownst to the accusing nurse. I am willing to bet this is beyond bullying. What does she have to achieve? I think she is diverting and trying to throw others, to include you, under a bus to cover her tracks. Yes, look for other positions because you have no support from immediate management, but talk to a lawyer about this situation so you do not end up in trouble. This situation may need to be investigated! It is better to be investigated by current management, but if the BON or State needs to be involved first, then so be it... Accusing others of the possibility of diverting narcotics is a big deal so you need to talk to a lawyer and the manager above yours. OR talk to the manager above yours and, rather than mention the possibility of narcotic diversion, report that you find her accusations suspicious and you are concerned that your current manager is not doing anything about it...