Many of us have had our share of horror stories. Well here's another.
Over the past several months we have switched over to a RAI coding system that many nurses have used in various jurisdictions. As part of this switch over, we have a RAI Co-ordinator that many staff view as nothing more than a Tyrant.
As part of this RAI coding there's a sheet that is generated where staff fill out called a Resident Assessment Protocol Summary. At the bottom of this summary there's an area for signatures. One signature area says "Signature of RN Coordinator for RAP Assessment Process". She indicated to me today that I had to sign this area to indicate the RAP's that I had done. I indicated that I will not sign that section because I'm not a RN, nor am I the Coordinator (I'm a Practical Nurse). She was very upset and reminding me that this form needs to be signed off because it's part of the Resident's chart. I reminded her again that I'm not signing that section. She indicated that no one else has a problem signing that section of the form but me and no one in our jurisdiction has a problem with it. I indicated that if government officials want me to sign that form, then the form needs to be changed. She stated that the form will not be changed and left the unit.
Moments later one of the nurse managers arrived on the unit carrying one of the forms and instructing me to sign that area of the form. I indicated to her the same facts that I relayed to the coordinator. The nurse manager indicated that the form is part of a computer program and that they are not going to change the form to suit our facility. She further instructed me to sign the form and put my professional designation beside my name. I indicated that I will not sign that section of the form and reminded her of a similar incident about a year prior where she tried to force me to sign a section of a different form which clearly had "RN Assessment" on it and I refused back then (that form was eventually changed). I indicated to the nurse manager that I will be contacting our regulatory body. The nurse manager left the unit and sent out an e-mail instructing all the staff that when they complete the RAPs on the form, that they are required to sign that section and include their professional designation. In essense, the nurse manager is instructing all the staff to commit an illegal act.
This has clearly devided a few of my co-workers today. My stand is that, if that form was ever called into evidence in a court of law and I was questioned about signing that section of the form, my proverbial butt will be on the line because I'm signing a section of a legal document that is beyond my professional designation. I told my co-workers, that it would be like an RN signing a form where it says Signature of Physician. Unless that form indicates Signature of Physician or designate, an RN (or anyone else for that matter can not complete and sign that section of a form, regardless if they put their own professional designation down or not.
I explained this incident to my wife this evening (who's also a nurse) and she indicated, "You're going to get yourself fired". She said this because she know's the long history of ongoing crap that goes on in the facility that I work at. I told her, that I will not knowingly break the law just to please this tryrant and the nurse manager. I also indicated to my wife that once I contact our regulatory body, I'll know more with regards to where I stand.
Has anyone else had an experience where they were instructed by the powers that be, to do something that was clearly illegal?
