Fired for Falsifying Documents. What to expect

[LPNewbie]

Today is extremely difficulty for me. I just started this new job that I absolutely love. I work in a very busy hallway and popped a noon med for one of my residents. I placed it in the med cart and was pulled away. I always initial as I pop and signed. However at the end of my shift, I did not give it. I now understand how early documentation isn't good at all, but I had no intentions to do what I did. I deeply apologized to my supervisor and was thankful for the opportunity but now I'm afraid of what will happen to my license.

Again, I am not making excuses. I made a major mistake but I would never ever intend to not give someone their medication on purpose or for convenience. I would like to know what I can expect or how soon I will hear something. I am so afraid.

[LPNewbie, LPN, LVN]

I'm really sorry this happened to you and for the record I think it was extremely harsh. I know it's probably not what you want to hear right now but being sacked may be a blessing.

It's unlikely they would report you to a BON, but the fact that they fired you on the spot for a mistake that anyone could make is worrying and makes me wonder how spitefully they would react if there was ever a more serious issue. Sometimes it's hard to understand why bad things happen to us, but it's always worth looking for the Silver Lining. Don't be hard on yourself, they already took care of that.

Best of luck!

Another sweet nurse said that it may have been a blessing in disguise. I pray that it is.

[LPNewbie, LPN, LVN]

LPNewbie, All Nurses make mistakes. We aren't perfect. I don't think this is gonna be any sort of hanging offense with the BON & I rarely say nice things about that gaggle of vampires. Anyway, learn from your mistake, have a cry if it will help and move on. That sounds harsh but in my experience its life. Good Luck & Gods Speed.

Thank you so much. I mean the HWD said she reported it but she didn't say false documentation or med error. That's why I became afraid. I will certainly learn from this. I wish I had all you guys over for dinner haha I've been crying all day and wish I had some company.

[Davey Do]

Hey thanks for the tip! I know I ought to call HR but I'm afraid if they are going to make everything worse. After all, where was HR when they decided to simply terminate me instead of discipline?

Your supervisor and HR are the first line of offense, so to speak. Their decision is not final. I have been terminated and received unemployment benefits a couple of times, for example. I know of others who went through different channels, including hiring a lawyer or going all the way to the top brass, in order to get their jobs back.

Dealing with this situation is a process and the first step is returning to face those who terminated you. Consider applying for unemployment benefits, also.

Unlike many posters, you are sticking with us and communicating which is a must, because as I said before, this is a process.

You can compare notes with those of us who have been through this sort of thing before and get some ideas on how to deal with your situation.

[LPNewbie, LPN, LVN]

Your supervisor and HR are the first line of offense, so to speak. Their decision is not final. I have been terminated and received unemployment benefits a couple of times, for example. I know of others who went through different channels, including hiring a lawyer or going all the way to the top brass, in order to get their jobs back.

Dealing with this situation is a process and the first step is returning to face those who terminated you. Consider applying for unemployment benefits, also.

Unlike many posters, you are sticking with us and communicating which is a must, because as I said before, this is a process.

You can compare notes with those of us who have been through this sort of thing before and get some ideas on how to deal with your situation.

I think after the way this entire thing went down, going back would only open me up to something even worse. I've been confiding in God at this point. There has to be something for me. I just have to find something. I'm so worried about state. I can't get it out of my head.

[Davey Do]

I think after the way this entire thing went down, going back would only open me up to something even worse.

Your feelings are understandable, you are in a grieving process, and dealing with the situation quite well from my perspective, LPNewbie.

You are in the midst of working through a problem-solving process: You've identified the problem, you're gathering data, and you're already brainstorming ideas. The final step is to choose the best idea or ideas and go with it or them.

The decision on what action you will take needs to be yours- you need to feel comfortable with your decision. You are the one you have to sleep with and sleep comes easier when we're comfortable with ourselves.

[LPNewbie, LPN, LVN]

The decision on what action you will take needs to be yours- you need to feel comfortable with your decision. You are the one you have to sleep with and sleep comes easier when we're comfortable with ourselves.

Thanks for taking so much time out of your day to reach out to me with comfort and support. I am incredibly thankful.

[Workitinurfava, BSN, RN]

If you want to keep your license or at-least try to fight for it, you have to go back. They could say anything happened. I would go back and face them. What is done is done but where is goes from here can depend on how you deal with the outcome.

[LPNewbie, LPN, LVN]

If you want to keep your license or at-least try to fight for it, you have to go back. They could say anything happened. I would go back and face them. What is done is done but where is goes from here can depend on how you deal with the outcome.

Even though I already signed my termination forms?

[Davey Do]

I've been confiding in God at this point. There has to be something for me. I just have to find something. I'm so worried about state. I can't get it out of my head.

Prayer is a good way to deal with stress, and by "lowly listening", a concept by Ralph Waldo Emerson, "we will hear the right word".

Worry is a useless expenditure of energy, although the vast majority of us do just that. "Rumination" or "racing thoughts" are other ways to look at as worrying.

I would advise you to put that energy to use by journaling. There's nothing else like it for me- journaling gets my thoughts together and out of my head for clearer consideration.

Just something I want to share on this topic of worrying: Nearly 40 years ago I laid in bed worrying about one thing or the other, so I turned on the light to do some reading. A Bible was nearby, so I just flipped it open to the Book of Matthew, I think. There I read "Will all your worries add one minute to your life?" "Wow", I said, put the Bible back, turned off the light and fell to sleep mediating on those words.

Do what you need to do to get okay with this situation, LPNewbie. This too shall pass.

[OldDude]

Prayer is a good way to deal with stress, and by "lowly listening", a concept by Ralph Waldo Emerson, "we will hear the right word".

Worry is a useless expenditure of energy, although the vast majority of us do just that. "Rumination" or "racing thoughts" are other ways to look at as worrying.

I would advise you to put that energy to use by journaling. There's nothing else like it for me- journaling gets my thoughts together and out of my head for clearer consideration.

Just something I want to share on this topic of worrying: Nearly 40 years ago I laid in bed worrying about one thing or the other, so I turned on the light to do some reading. A Bible was nearby, so I just flipped it open to the Book of Matthew, I think. There I read "Will all your worries add one minute to your life?" "Wow", I said, put the Bible back, turned off the light and fell to sleep mediating on those words.

Do what you need to do to get okay with this situation, LPNewbie. This too shall pass.

LP...even if you sought the highest paid therapist/consultant you could not get better, more genuine, reality based, support as here...Davey and the rest of those "pulling" for you!!

You can. You will!

[Davey Do]

Even though I already signed my termination forms?

I do believe those termination forms are a requirement when an employee is discharged and doesn't necessarily mean you agree with them.

[Susie2310]

It does seem extremely harsh for a single med error. What's the organization's policy in terms of corrective discipline? It would be worth exploring this with HR not necessarily to get this job back but to make sure you're considered re-hirable.

As I read the OP the issue is falsification of the medical record along with a medication error (the patient didn't receive the medication). The OP signed that he/she had administered a medication at a specific time when he/she hadn't done this. Falsifying charting, including saying you have performed care before you actually perform the care, can have severe consequences for patients. Other members of the health care team rely on our documentation of the care we have given to patients. As nurses we are held to ethical, legal, and professional standards of behavior.