Falls

Marija1 · Apr 18, 2019

Wow the comments here sure did change from yesterday! Thank you for this! When I made that statement re more training before people were quick to insult and criticize me!! You don’t learn a lot in a retirement home tbh! The prob was that we had a DRC when I first started for years, then they didn’t have one for many years. Then suddenly think they were forced to. Many came and went for the last five years. Think we actually had 5 all together! They left because of poor management or even harassment! So they all changed things and made new protocols each time. Kinda hard to keep track of everything! And things might have changed since I was in school! They never did anything to help me improve it was all about the discipline! How does anyone learn or improve if they aren’t told or shown the proper way! I am actually a good nurse. I have sent people to the hospital many times before it was too late. I have dealt with many falls and not one person was ever hurt in my care! We all make mistakes and learn from them. But if we aren’t even made aware of our mistakes then how do we learn?? So for every mistake someone makes the answer is termination?! Yes and after 18 years of my life! I went above and beyond for them and this is the thanks I get! It’s sad very sad!

Marija1 · Apr 18, 2019

Also, an older nurse with clearly more experience, who is retired from there now, did not do neurovitals on any one either. So that tells you how much things have changed in “nursing 101” . Sorry we never did them unless the Dr ordered it or the hospital. I simply did what i have always done for the entire 18 years. You automatically just do what you have always done. I guess I need to start memorizing all the policies. Not easy but...

JadedCPN, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2019

I would have to go back through all the posts and reread them all, but I don’t believe any of the posters who “insulted and criticized” you, myself included, said we thought you should have been fired. At all. But you asked for opinions on what was/wasn’t done, and that’s what people were responding to.

Marija1 · Apr 18, 2019

There was one person who responded and said it was “negligent” and grounds for termination. Maybe you didn’t but yes I got that.

Marija1 · Apr 18, 2019

“It is clear, that despite having a policy for 5 years, you failed to meet the expectations of the facility. For that reason alone, you can be found to be negligent and justifiably fired.

The remaining details are irrelevant, truly. If you performed your assessment per the policy, they would not have grounds to fire you. You should practice to the highest standard, not to the standard of those around you. “

Thats what one person said that my termination was “justified” .

JadedCPN, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2019

2 minutes ago, Marija1 said:
“It is clear, that despite having a policy for 5 years, you failed to meet the expectations of the facility. For that reason alone, you can be found to be negligent and justifiably fired.
The remaining details are irrelevant, truly. If you performed your assessment per the policy, they would not have grounds to fire you. You should practice to the highest standard, not to the standard of those around you. “
Thats what one person said that my termination was “justified” .

Correct. It appears they are answering your original question, that yes the facility can use that to justifiably terminate you since you broke protocol. They didn’t say that you should have been terminated.

Marija1 · Apr 18, 2019

You are right.

Marija1 · Apr 18, 2019

However, I don’t think here in Canada that they had “just cause” for dismissal. They actually have to explain to you what the issue is and provide ways for you to improve. They didn’t do any of that.

TriciaJ, RN · Apr 18, 2019

17 minutes ago, Marija1 said:
However, I don’t think here in Canada that they had “just cause” for dismissal. They actually have to explain to you what the issue is and provide ways for you to improve. They didn’t do any of that.

Since you are unionized they do have to use progressive discipline. If they want to fire you, there has to be a paper trail. If being fired was the first time you heard anything negative about your performance, they're on thin ice.

If new management wants to clean house, they'd best familiarize themselves with the union contract.

Marija1 · Apr 18, 2019

Unfortunately there is a paper trail for minor issues. But it’s not about the same issue over and over again. I have since corrected those issues. So they did do the progressive discipline but it may not have been done correctly. Well it appears that way to me anyway. By that I mean “you didn’t do this” so if you continue to not do what’s required then you will be terminated. I don’t know I could be wrong but...

Marija1 · Apr 18, 2019

The new manager gave me a letter every week since she started. Which certainly doesn’t give me time to improve or change anything. When they first started they had a meeting and stated “if there is a bad apple, we dispose of it”. This to me sounded planned out. It was done in about one month of her starting. That to me looks very suspicious. Think they were micromanaging and looking for reasons, any reason.

GSDlvrRN, MSN · Apr 18, 2019

Well, it is standard to reassess a patient when something like a fall happens. That includes vitals and assessment. Neuro assessment for sure when a patient falls and has a cut on their head. Think brain bleed, concussion. And document it! When you took her to her room for further assessment, what kind of assessment did you plan on doing that didn't involve vitals and neuro. I can see why they would be upset over you not doing it, I think letting you know you did not follow protocol and giving you constructive criticism would help. I do not think you should have been terminated. But I guess they will only know why you were terminated over this. They maybe didn't feel like you deserved another chance because of the lack of assessment of the patient.