Do some nurses just like to write people up?

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

In less than a year at my current job:

I had a preceptor accuse me of helping a high fall risk patient sit at the edge of the bed AND that I removed his oxygen while he was doing so.  Same preceptor accused me of running an infusion too fast, yet the infusion in question was a 60 minute infusion which took 60 minutes.  She declined to verify by looking at the pump data told the patient there had been an error and made a big deal out pulling me into the room and checking their arm for signs of extravasion. 

I didn’t stand and argue with her about this stuff. I just got on with it. I didn’t realize she was writing me up. Of course, the day before my probation was up they extended based on those two things.   It was unexpected, I’d just come off a night shift,  so I didn’t mount a defense.  I completed the extension without issue. 

If I had it to do all over again I’d have written an objection or something before I signed the extension. 

It still burns a little that my manager didn’t ask me about the two instances first and dropped it on me the day I was due to come off probation .  I’ve been a nurse for years and have been fortunate to make only one error which was totally my fault and I took 100% responsibility (which made me feel sick for weeks).

Recently I was approached by management “for an update” because a patient on aspiration precautions had a full pitcher of water and cup in their room when “a team member went in in the morning”. And “that the patient was upset she had to have thickened liquids”.  Asking if I had told the aid about the precautions etc. and if I knew they had aspiration  precautions. 

I’m pretty cranked about this given the patient was annoyed all night at her aspiration precautions having her bed locked at 30 degrees for tube feeding. I suspect the oncoming aid, who was cleaning her up at shift change may have given her water but I don’t want to dump someone in it without facts. 

Recently their was an issue of blood sugar management that someone tried to dump onto me unsuccessfully.  In fact the patient got annoyed with them asking about what I’d done and hadn’t done.  He defended me according to another nurse. It’s embarrassing.

I had none of this at my last hospital. There was one nurse there who liked to write people up but it didn’t seem so ingrained.  

Does anyone have advice?   Is this just normal in some places? I’m feeling pretty upset (understatement) and somewhat paranoid.  Is this an indication that I’m somehow not a good fit? 

I feel like poop today.  This is depressing. 

 

 

 

 

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Sounds like a toxic environment. ? I might look to transfer or find a new position, honestly. Who needs this kind of junk or has time for it? 

You mentioned your last hospital being a better environment. Any chance of returning? 

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

You’re right. I certainly don’t need it. I could go back to my last place but it’s an hour away. That commute was killing me.  Plus, even though I’d be returning it’s still switching jobs. 

 I’m desperately trying to reframe my experience in a more positive light.  It just seems a lot for one year of working there.