Coworker to have me fired!

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So today I asked the med nurse to administer my patients prn anxiety med because he is very combative and needed a shower. Long story short the nurse got mad because the shower was not administered right away and she said this could get her fired and she proceeds to scold me in front of the entire nurses station saying that theCNA assigned to administer the shower didn't have to because "I like her and I am playing favorites." She said she would report me for this. Can she be fired or lose her license or is she being dramatic?

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

So the way I read this: you had the med nurse administer a PRN so the patient could calm down and he could shower. But after the medication was given, the shower didn't happen for whatever reason. Correct me if I read it wrong.

Fired? I doubt it. If it's a right-to-work state, you can get fired for any reason as long as it's not for an illegal one (e.g., race, gender, etc.). It depends on what her manager and HR think, of course, but I really can't see them firing her for a patient not taking a shower after they gave the patient a PRN. First, you wouldn't give a PRN and then immediately throw the patient under running water. You'd let the PRN kick in first so the patient was calmer and more agreeable to showering. And if the patient fell asleep after the PRN, you probably wouldn't wake them, especially if they were agitated and difficult earlier.

The only exception I could see was if the patient needed a shower immediately for infection control reasons (bed bugs, infectious diarrhea, etc.). Then you'd call Security to assist, all of you would gown up, and all of you would escort that patient into the shower about 10 minutes after that PRN.

Lose license? Highly doubt it. Based on what you describe, there's nothing in there that would violate your state's NPA or standards of care. She gave a needed PRN medication. I'd bet my cat the reason listed on the MAR for the medication was agitation, not shower. And you really can't force a patient to shower, even one that is involuntarily committed/Riesed. Though it is possible that if the hygiene gets bad enough, the PCP may write an order for it.

Me thinks she's being a bit dramatic, IMO. I wouldn't worry about it affecting you in any way, other than her being irritated with you. I also doubt she's going to run to your charge/supervisor to cry about this, because I don't think they'd consider it any issue either. Though if it would make you feel better, give your charge/supervisor a heads up that the patient didn't/couldn't shower after the PRN for whatever reason.

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[...]

Fired? I doubt it. If it's a right-to-work state, you can get fired for any reason as long as it's not for an illegal one (e.g., race, gender, etc.)...

[...]

Actually, a right to work state is one in which you can't be forced to join a union as a prerequisite for employment. At will employment refers to the employer'so right to terminute your employment for any reason, with a few exceptions, or more reason at all.

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The individual could get fired in close timing to the incident, but that does not mean that this incident caused the firing in and of itself, or that it was the straw that broke the camel's back. Everything happens in context to the overall picture. Either this nurse is on someone's radar for firing, or she is not. My guess would be that she is blowing smoke in your direction. Set the harsh words aside and carry on.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Actually, a right to work state is one in which you can't be forced to join a union as a prerequisite for employment. At will employment refers to the employer'so right to terminute your employment for any reason, with a few exceptions, or more reason at all.

That's what I meant: at will. Thanks for the correction!

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Her opinion of you playing favorites is subjective, as long as there haven't been other instances or other people who also think you "play favorites" you should be fine even if she does report it because it will be unfounded.

As for the med administration, as long as there was no adverse outcome for the patient, there should be no reason for her to be fired or lose her license. I agree with one of the previous posters, I think something has already got her on edge and shes taking it out on you

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Specializes in GENERAL.

Thank you Meriwhen. Your analysis rivals Holmes at his best.

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So, OP, what came of it? Where do things stand now? How come the pt didn't get the shower? Has the Med Nurse calmed down?

Did she mean you were playing favorites or she was playing favorites?

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