First time Im going to have to deal with legal issues

MomRN0913 · Oct 22, 2012

Gotta love auto correct. I am not making a visit to Oreos. I have a scheduled visit to the patient tomorrow

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Oct 24, 2012

Your first call is to your malpractice insurance carrier. Don't say anything or sign anything until you get their advice.

netglow, ASN, RN · Oct 24, 2012

Regardless, best make a visit to "get" Oreos today - them's my direct orders to you missy, you are in dire need!

Guest343211 · Oct 24, 2012

I feel for you too OP.

I thought I missed something with the Oreos, but you are right. Autocorrect is kind of goofy.

Do your best and ride this one out. The truth is, after a couple of decades in this field, there seems to be no shortage of crazies with whom nurses must interact. It's hard to balance compassion and caring with a reasonable level of compartmentalization, but that's what you may have to do. You are a professional. As such, you can't let the unprofessional stuff sap you.

You legally covered yourself, and as long as it wasn't anything questionable in terms of safe or appropriate care compliance in following physician's order, and you documentated appropriately, you should be OK. Check with a reputable legal person if you think you may need to do so. Then move on. While you are carrying out what you are doing, if you have to start looking for another position, so be it.

But I am telling you, I have yet to work anywhere in any area in nursing or healthcare where there was not some level of "craziness" and reactionary nonsense. Do your best for your patient, family, and your own practice. Cover yourself legally, and then move on. It is impossible to please everyone, regardless of how hard you try. We say it, but as nurses, sometimes I don't think we really believe that that is is impossible to always please everyone--somehow we think on some level that it is possible. When it happens, it's great, but it is not always or even regularly going to happen, depending upon the situation. And people have so many complex issues going on. Half the time you feel like a shrink or a referee, but you really don't have too much time for any of that kind of thing in light of everything else you have to do.

Start planning a vacation and schedule some getaway days. Sounds like you need a break.

Lovewhatidointx · Oct 24, 2012

Hang in there! I know HH can be a beast! I tried it for 2 months when I went back to work after having a MVA. I thought it would be easier to transition back into nursing than jump into 12 hr shifts after being off for 5 months due to injuries. It sucked in the worst possible way. I'm best suited for the hospital environment. In the hospital, most patients are somewhat compliant because they want to get home faster. In the home environment they complained a lot more & had their own ideas of what they should & shouldn't do. I really wouldn't worry about it too much. If you followed the doctor's order, worked within your scope of practice, and documented everything, you should be fine. From someone who learned the hard way, make sure you have thorough records for yourself just in case documentation starts to disappear. Your company is going to protect themselves first. I'll pray for you & hope nothing comes from this.

Guest343211 · Oct 24, 2012

Hang in there! I know HH can be a beast! I tried it for 2 months when I went back to work after having a MVA. I thought it would be easier to transition back into nursing than jump into 12 hr shifts after being off for 5 months due to injuries. It sucked in the worst possible way. I'm best suited for the hospital environment. In the hospital, most patients are somewhat compliant because they want to get home faster. In the home environment they complained a lot more & had their own ideas of what they should & shouldn't do. I really wouldn't worry about it too much. If you followed the doctor's order, worked within your scope of practice, and documented everything, you should be fine. From someone who learned the hard way, make sure you have thorough records for yourself just in case documentation starts to disappear. Your company is going to protect themselves first. I'll pray for you & hope nothing comes from this.

OH wow. . .that last part. . .I wish it were no as true as it is. It's sad you have to worry that your documentation will somehow "lose it's way."

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 24, 2012

Hang in there! I know HH can be a beast! I tried it for 2 months when I went back to work after having a MVA. I thought it would be easier to transition back into nursing than jump into 12 hr shifts after being off for 5 months due to injuries. It sucked in the worst possible way. I'm best suited for the hospital environment. In the hospital, most patients are somewhat compliant because they want to get home faster. In the home environment they complained a lot more & had their own ideas of what they should & shouldn't do. I really wouldn't worry about it too much. If you followed the doctor's order, worked within your scope of practice, and documented everything, you should be fine. From someone who learned the hard way, make sure you have thorough records for yourself just in case documentation starts to disappear. Your company is going to protect themselves first. I'll pray for you & hope nothing comes from this.

But never admit to anyone you have a diary or any form of documentation.....it's a double pinky swear. I always consulted my two friends.....Ben and Jerry;) in moments like these. Notify your malpractice carrier right now give them the low down ......say nothing to anyone.

MomRN0913 · Oct 25, 2012

Tha is for the support. Good news is my director came in the next day, got the md on the phone to say yes, that was indeed his order. She then reviewed my documentation and said I was completely covered. I feel a little better. They wanted a blood draw yesterday to as requested by MD to see if patient should be decertified. I didn't feel comfortable going to the house yesterday, alone anyways, so my director got me a visit trade with another nurse. The patients blood work came back perfect and will most likely be decertified, thank god. I will be making my last visit with my director though.But yes, I need a vacation. Or an awfully long weekend. I reached my 6 month this mo th and can finally take my vaca. I had surgery in August and got some time off for that. Sad thing was I was looking forward to the surgery bc I needed the time off so bad! I really don't know if HH is for me. I think my place is in the hospital. Only that my family situation keeps me from going back. I've been almost assured I could get my ICU position back I had 2 years ago ( never burn bridges, I kept very good relationships with all my coworkers and they pretty much said they'll get me back in). Its all logistics at this point.I keep telling myself I'm going to make it a year. Ever since I left my hospital job, my resume doesn't look too hot. It's been a very stressful journey when I was hoping my stress would be decreased. I stupidly assumed with such a cut in my pay, would come a cut in my stress, boy was I wrong! I'm even doi an after hours admission to or row because I need the cash! But a vacation is definitely coming up in the new year, and atleast a long weekend until then!