Fired for Falsifying Documents. What to expect

Nurses General Nursing

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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.

Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
Technically, every med error is falsification of documentation, if you want to take it literally. You said you gave someone this med, but you made a mistake and gave them something else. So you falsified the documentation. So in that case, every one of us in this profession had falsified documentation, because I don't know ANY nurse who has NEVER made a med error, unless it is extremely early in their career. If called before the board, you made a med error, you intended to give the med you signed out but got called away and forgot to go back and give it. A MED ERROR, not intentional falsification of documentation. I believe at the worst (and probably) you will have to attend a class on passing meds safely or something like that. I don't promise, but it happened to someone I know who made multiple med errors, and that was their punishment from the BON. Your experience may be different, but since it was not a scheduled med, it may be all that happens to you. Or Maybe nothing.......

I hope you're right about this, LadysSolo. Newbie, I read through your previous threads and 2 things jumped out: You struggle with anxiety and you have a track record of med errors. I really hope the BON doesn't actually make an issue of falsification because to the rest of us, that is clearly not what happened.

I hope there is a class on passing meds safely that they can send you to. I wouldn't look at it as punishment. The class should fill any gaps in your education (maybe your school didn't adequately prepare you) and give you a whole lot more confidence and less anxiety. This really might be a blessing in disguise, although I know it is heavily disguised at the moment.

Good luck. You can see that a lot of us are rooting for you.

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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.

((((((Hugs)))))) I made a med error about two weeks into my first job, and my employer used it as a "teaching moment". No write-up. I've always been thankful for that.

Hope you feel better! I would post a picture of a basket of kittens, but cannot figure out how to post pictures. Hang in there!

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
So you falsified the documentation. So in that case, every one of us in this profession had falsified documentation, because I don't know ANY nurse who has NEVER made a med error, unless it is extremely early in their career.

I can vouch for this aswell... I'm the go to trainer for all new nurses and med techs and so many times I've had to stop them and ask them for instance "are they only supposed to get one gabapentin right now?" Sometimes they look confused and sometimes they catch it and realize they actually are supposed to get 3. I've been accused of being a "hoverer" when I train, but it's for that reason. They need to learn to pay attention to the order. I don't care if you have been passing meds at a facility for umpteen years, orders change daily and the 6 rights of medication should be used for every single drug you administer. Do not put your license on the line!

Even the most experienced nurses can make simple mistakes. The important thing is if you realize you made a mistake report yourself immediately. I know it seems weird calling yourself out but in the long run you're saving your own a$$.

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Specializes in LTC.
Technically, every med error is falsification of documentation, if you want to take it literally. You said you gave someone this med, but you made a mistake and gave them something else. So you falsified the documentation. So in that case, every one of us in this profession had falsified documentation, because I don't know ANY nurse who has NEVER made a med error, unless it is extremely early in their career. If called before the board, you made a med error, you intended to give the med you signed out but got called away and forgot to go back and give it. A MED ERROR, not intentional falsification of documentation. I believe at the worst (and probably) you will have to attend a class on passing meds safely or something like that. I don't promise, but it happened to someone I know who made multiple med errors, and that was their punishment from the BON. Your experience may be different, but since it was not a scheduled med, it may be all that happens to you. Or Maybe nothing.......

As I am doing research, I think the problem lies when you had a "gain" from your error. I have never had any discipline against my license so it all worries me. I wish I had a time limit to look forward to to know if I'm "in the clear".

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Oh honey you're being a little too hard on yourself. Did you mess up? Yes. Was it a med error? Yes. Are you going to learn from it? You bet! I'll bet you never do this again. Hey, we've all made boo boos. You've apologized and are prepared for whatever consequences. This is not the end of your nursing career. A year from now you'll look back and be just fine

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Specializes in LTC.

Thank you so much. I'm so ashamed of myself. I feel like a horrible nurse. As a kid, this was my dream. When I said I wanted to be a nurse, people used to look at me like I'm crazy. My nursing instructor essentially told me to drop out. Nursing is the only thing I love. It is the only reason I get up for. I would love to learn how to be a better nurse.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I honestly don't think you have anything to worry about. the BON have more worries than some missed Tylenol and Gabapentin. IMO theres no way they will even look at this as a serious report. I wouldn't. Find yourself a healthy environment to work in. When interviewed for possible positions remember you can ask questions too, its okay to be picky.

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Specializes in LTC.
Oh honey you're being a little too hard on yourself. Did you mess up? Yes. Was it a med error? Yes. Are you going to learn from it? You bet! I'll bet you never do this again. Hey, we've all made boo boos. You've apologized and are prepared for whatever consequences. This is not the end of your nursing career. A year from now you'll look back and be just fine

Thank you I really hope you're right. I haven't been able to sleep, or eat all day. I won't ever do this again and I'll never forget how this made me feel.

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Specializes in LTC.
I honestly don't think you have anything to worry about. the BON have more worries than some missed Tylenol and Gabapentin. IMO theres no way they will even look at this as a serious report. I wouldn't. Find yourself a healthy environment to work in. When interviewed for possible positions remember you can ask questions too, its okay to be picky.

Okay I will try to stop worrying. I know it's not healthy for me to continue to ruminate this situation. I guess it hurts because I did my absolute best. I picked up and stayed when no one else wanted to. I did so many things to help them up only for them to kick me to the curb for an honest mistake.

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Specializes in LTC.
((((((Hugs)))))) I made a med error about two weeks into my first job, and my employer used it as a "teaching moment". No write-up. I've always been thankful for that.

Hope you feel better! I would post a picture of a basket of kittens, but cannot figure out how to post pictures. Hang in there!

Thank you so much :)

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
Okay I will try to stop worrying. I know it's not healthy for me to continue to ruminate this situation. I guess it hurts because I did my absolute best. I picked up and stayed when no one else wanted to. I did so many things to help them up only for them to kick me to the curb for an honest mistake.

I completely understand, I have won employee of the month multiple times but am involved in a lawsuit currently because of something a family member thinks I said, even though said family member multiple times expressed such gratitude for the great care we gave their mother. Am I worried about this? Yes, absolutely, but I covered my butt and documented beautifully. The point is, you can be a fabulous nurse but there will always be someone that will try and knock you down a notch. Just roll with the punches and as long as you can say you did the right thing then forget the rest!

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Specializes in NICU, Peds, Med-Surg.

I'm sorry for all that you're going through! Please try not to be so hard on yourself; as everyone else said--we have ALL made mistakes. You were treated

VERY harshly! I'm sending you lots of (( hugs )), and since you mentioned prayer,

I sent one up for you, and also---hoping you finally got some sleep!

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