Falsely accused of not passing patient meds

[Nurseroundface]

Hi Everyone. I've been an RN for 2 years now. I was recently accused of not passing meds by my nursing manager. They tried involving HR but HR was totally uninterested in it as the num didn't have any evidence.

I of course was called in by the num and I gave details of the night in question. After all was said and done, I was vindicated. What frustrates and anger me is that she did not follow procedures regarding the issue like calling in witnesses (colleagues that were on duty with me that night), reviewing camera footage or checking the prescription.

When I asked her why she didn't do those things she shrugged her shoulders and asked me to write an incident report. I am not happy about the incident because I know it stems from them being bullies and trying to victimize me because I don't eat their poop. This probably the 4th time this happens. I would really like to have a meeting with them and tell them how I really feel about all of this. My question is do yall think this is a good Idea and should I approach the HR and tell them that I'm being victimized. Thank you for your input ❤️

[DavidFR, BSN, MSN, RN]

8 minutes ago, Nurseroundface said:

This probably the 4th time this happens. I would really like to have a meeting with them and tell them how I really feel about all of this. My question is do yall think this is a good Idea and should I approach the HR and tell them that I'm being victimized. Thank you for your input ❤️

You say it's "probably" the 4th time it's happened. You need to be sure. Document each incident. Take your evidence to HR and involve a union if you can. If you are being bullied nip it in the bud now. People like this are basically cowards and need standing up to.

Good luck.

[Nurseroundface]

21 minutes ago, DavidFR said:

You say it's "probably" the 4th time it's happened. You need to be sure. Document each incident. Take your evidence to HR and involve a union if you can. If you are being bullied nip it in the bud now. People like this are basically cowards and need standing up to.

Good luck.

It has and each time they tried to attack me I had all my ducks in a row which would get them to back off. It went as far as deleting recording, luckily I took pictures of my the notes I made and showed them during the accusations and that really caught them off guard. I've spoken to my unit manager and she advised me to not go to HR as it will lead to me being bullied further by the nurse managers and where I work we aren't allowed to unionize

[caliotter3]

Have you considered finding a new place of employment? It sounds as if working here has been, and is going to continue to be, a living hell. Nobody needs to be working in a living hell.

[DavidFR, BSN, MSN, RN]

2 hours ago, Nurseroundface said:

It has and each time they tried to attack me I had all my ducks in a row which would get them to back off. It went as far as deleting recording, luckily I took pictures of my the notes I made and showed them during the accusations and that really caught them off guard. I've spoken to my unit manager and she advised me to not go to HR as it will lead to me being bullied further by the nurse managers and where I work we aren't allowed to unionize

If you have evidence that they deleted records have you thought about asking a lawyer's advice?

[londonflo]

23 hours ago, Nurseroundface said:

I've spoken to my unit manager and she advised me to not go to HR as it will lead to me being bullied further by the nurse managers

Sounds like everyone is afraid of the nurse managers. not an acceptable working environment for anyone. Take care of yourself

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

For whatever reason, the manager wants you gone. He/she will find a way. Four attempts now. Hang it up ... manager will eventually win and that is no environment to continue working in.

[amoLucia]

To protect your license and professional reputation you might want to contact your malpractice carrier.

FYI - deleted records can be reported to the Dept of Health if you're really sure.

Taking photos of your notes might also be a HIPAA violation. BIG issue there. Might also be an issue if your facility has some in-house policy re such photo-taking.

Face it. You're NOT wanted there and you're wearing a big red target. You have some hard thinking to do if you think you might want to stay & tough it out while 'fighting for the cause'.

And all of admin/management/HR will stick together and do a'round up the wagons' defense.

Tough road ahead for whatever actions you undertake. But don't be surprised if they go after you for something irrefutable, like HIPAA.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

13 hours ago, amoLucia said:

Taking photos of your notes might also be a HIPAA violation. BIG issue there. Might also be an issue if your facility has some in-house policy re such photo-taking.

I just want to reiterate this. Do not disclose this to your employer, you will almost definitely be let go if they find this out. Don't give them the excuse.

[peachtreednurse, RN]

Have you had any indication that this is a common practice among these individuals? You state it has happened a number of times; under what circumstances, were there any other employees involved?

The incident report was a method for you to state your case factually, the occurrence, written as recalled by you. If that process was interfered with, or coer ced you should have immediately informed the Department of Health as incident reports funnel through to them any way.

I would also recommend you enter patient response to medications during routine med pass times. (Check on acute PRN as well as routine dosing analgesia and enter accordingly to the nursing note. This will back up your med pass as actual. ( Keep track with patient MR#)

Be aware that visual check of a nurse at a med cart does not guarantee patient receipt of meds and is not the only methodology to determine it.

[Nurseroundface]

Hi colleagues. So I am currently on mandatory quarantine. Thank you all for the contribution you've given on the thread. I'll definitely let yall know how the meeting goes.

Just to answer some questions

1) we are classed as essential staff so we aren't allowed to unionize

2) Whats unique to my case is that there are witnesses to the med pass as well as camera footage. These were all disregard. However I received a fone call from my nursing manager and since im such a carry my heart on my sleeve kinda person she knew that I was upset and I obviously told her how I felt and how procedure wasn't followed, etc. Not long after that they called in the other nurse witnesses which obviously gave their side of the story in support of seeing me pass meds. So just like they told me, they told my colleague to write an incident report ofcourse but to take her time, as much as she needs, its no rush (which basically means dont even bother).

4) I actually like where I work and the people I work with safe for those 3 that try and get me down but I'm a fighter and I sure as hell am not going to go down without a record. Fortunately, HR is fair and they take a very neutral position in these kinds of situations.

5) As for the other previous issues, yall would be so shocked if yall knew what those were but im not going to go into them. We don't have HIPAA here so we are allowed to make copies of records, however they should exclude patient details such as name, Id number, dob, etc. These can be used as evidence as long as its within the confines of the healthcare setting and keeping with local patient confidentiality laws.

6) I am still going to persue a meeting with them soon, already informed them, so that I can get all of these issues off my chest before it turns into resentment. I will keep yall posted

Thank you all once again. It's a shame that we to fight such battles while trying to do the best for your patients and community

[apmarquez]

16 hours ago, Nurseroundface said:

Hi colleagues. So I am currently on mandatory quarantine. Thank you all for the contribution you've given on the thread. I'll definitely let yall know how the meeting goes.

Just to answer some questions

1) we are classed as essential staff so we aren't allowed to unionize

2) Whats unique to my case is that there are witnesses to the med pass as well as camera footage. These were all disregard. However I received a fone call from my nursing manager and since im such a carry my heart on my sleeve kinda person she knew that I was upset and I obviously told her how I felt and how procedure wasn't followed, etc. Not long after that they called in the other nurse witnesses which obviously gave their side of the story in support of seeing me pass meds. So just like they told me, they told my colleague to write an incident report ofcourse but to take her time, as much as she needs, its no rush (which basically means dont even bother).

4) I actually like where I work and the people I work with safe for those 3 that try and get me down but I'm a fighter and I sure as hell am not going to go down without a record. Fortunately, HR is fair and they take a very neutral position in these kinds of situations.

5) As for the other previous issues, yall would be so shocked if yall knew what those were but im not going to go into them. We don't have HIPAA here so we are allowed to make copies of records, however they should exclude patient details such as name, Id number, dob, etc. These can be used as evidence as long as its within the confines of the healthcare setting and keeping with local patient confidentiality laws.

6) I am still going to persue a meeting with them soon, already informed them, so that I can get all of these issues off my chest before it turns into resentment. I will keep yall posted

Thank you all once again. It's a shame that we to fight such battles while trying to do the best for your patients and community

What country are you from?