Can this put MY license at risk?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I work in a medical clinic and I am the "Charge Nurse". There are several PCTS that work with me and one LPN. Now I have worked with some terrific LPNs in my day and love them to death, however, this particular LPN is sloppy with meds and has made several med errors. She does not fess up to them, I catch them and then question her about them and sometimes she confesses, other times she denied it even though I know it happened.

My clinic manager said that if she hurts someone, it is against MY license and I need to watch her better. Doesn't she work under HER OWN license?

I do not want this girl working under my license, she is not safe and the clinic manager keeps her on knowing this. I cannot watch her every single minute but I feel like I have to babysit. I have told the clinic manager I do not want to work with her anymore but she has told me it is not my choice.

Bottom line, I do not want to work with this nurse, and do not want her giving meds under my supervision. I am currently looking for another job, but in the meantime what can I do? I have started emailing the clinic manager, just so I have a paper trail.

Errors I have caught:

Tossed a vaccination in the sharps container without giving it. Signed it was given. Patient states no vaccination was given. PCT states vaccination tossed in sharps, I looked it was right on top full and not given.

Gave patient XYZ another patients meds, she was caught red handed, no harm done to patient, reported to clinic manager, no write up or discipline. Dr who runs wrote order to cover errors, 3 medications.

Signed off that several meds were given to patient, meds never dispensed from pharmacy so could not have been given. This error has happened numerous times. I have written it up twice, both times she has denied it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

She works under her license....BUT you need to be documenting this on medication errors (and keeping a copy w/patient name blacked out), and personally hand them to your clinic manager who seems to be scaring you re: it all being on you. You're both professionals- and you are not her babysitter. :)

Get out of there. JMO

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.

Right, unless it is something that you must cosign with her-she works under her own license and she is responsible for what she gives...BUT document, document...this person is dangerous.....

I am not sure where your manager is coming from with this person...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would think if it were me and I was told she was my responsibility and I had to watch her more closely, I would want another nurse to be available to hold her hand through her med pass. What a joke. What about going to your supervisor's supervisor? I would be running for the hills if my facility was actively working to cover up med errors and no disciplinary action was taken.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych.

Maybe you can ask your manager how exactly this would fall under your license when she has her own license! But if the manager and doctor act that way, they may just always defend her and you'll get nowhere - or worse you will get the blame for her actions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

I agree. I would want to know how she falls under my license. I work as the only RN on the unit and although I work with a LPN, her mistakes are still on me because the floor is on me. I may not get thrown under the bus, but if they want to toss me, they can. I'm not sure how that would hold up in court though.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

I don't understand...why isn't your clinic manager really concerned about her? If I was your manager, I'd be looking into this matter. Why is she throwing blame on you and threatening that it's your license. Just make sure you document everything and don't forget to document that your manager is quite aware of her work ethics. This way when and if something happens down the pike, the blame will ultimately fall on your manager because nothing was done about her when you tried to warn her. Run as fast as you can away from there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I work in a medical clinic and I am the "Charge Nurse". There are several PCTS that work with me and one LPN. Now I have worked with some terrific LPNs in my day and love them to death, however, this particular LPN is sloppy with meds and has made several med errors. She does not fess up to them, I catch them and then question her about them and sometimes she confesses, other times she denied it even though I know it happened. My clinic manager said that if she hurts someone, it is against MY license and I need to watch her better. Doesn't she work under HER OWN license? I do not want this girl working under my license, she is not safe and the clinic manager keeps her on knowing this. I cannot watch her every single minute but I feel like I have to babysit. I have told the clinic manager I do not want to work with her anymore but she has told me it is not my choice. Bottom line, I do not want to work with this nurse, and do not want her giving meds under my supervision. I am currently looking for another job, but in the meantime what can I do? I have started emailing the clinic manager, just so I have a paper trail.

errors I have caught:

tossed a vaccination in the sharps container without giving it. Signed it was given. Patient states no vaccination was given. PCT states vaccination tossed in sharps, I looked it was right on top full and not given.

Gave patient XYZ another patients meds, she was caught red handed, no harm done to patient, reported to clinic manager, no write up or dicipline. Dr who runs wrote order to cover errors, 3 medications.

Signed off that several meds were given to patient, meds never dispenced from pharmacy so could not have been given. This error has happened numerous times. I have written it up twice, both times she has denied it.

Sorry to be crude, but is this LPN sleeping with the Dr or the clinical manager? :D Or both? Or does she have pictures of one or both doing something illicit or illegal?

Rather difficult to understand their cover-up behavior otherwise.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in wound care.

sounds pretty crummy sorry to hear that , good advise though here,

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED/ICU/TELEMETRY/LTC.
She works under her license....BUT you need to be documenting this on medication errors (and keeping a copy w/patient name blacked out), and personally hand them to your clinic manager who seems to be scaring you re: it all being on you. You're both professionals- and you are not her babysitter. :)

Get out of there. JMO

And keep a copy for your self. Write on it the date you give it to the clinic manager and the manager's name.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

You as an RN are not responsible for supervising IM and PO meds..... PERIOD. That falls under this idiot's license. Knowing that issues exist... follow what ever process is in place for reporting errors. The administrator and risk management if you have it need to know, at lease the office manager. When all else fails, the docs that pay for the practice have a huge vetted interest in patient safety. You may need to speak with the largest shareholder and voice your concerns and provide it in writing. An addition safety measure is to write a formal complaint with all the errors and ask the head doc. to sign off on a plan of remediation and place this person back on a 90 day probationary period. Then you can gather info. for firing.

BUT, you do need to meet with this person, offer remedial teaching, document it and have an action plan of improvement that is signed by her as well.

Cover your behind, follow the legal process and document, document and never speak of it to anyone. Office gossip can be your undoing, and bring a law-suit. mind your P's and Q's.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC/Rehab.

I would report her to the state BON since your managment doesn't feel the need to address the situation properly. I have a similar situation going on at work right now. An LPN I relieve keeps cutting a persons lantus down cause she thinks a blood sugar in the high 70 range is a critical low. Umm no, and I've tried to be nice and tell her not to do it but she continues to do it and I know she is because the blood sugars in the mornings after shes worked are close to 200. At this point I'm going to have to turn her in, this person is ESRD, with Severe Liver issues, the person has ascites so bad they look 9 months pregnant and ready to pop. With my situation I've come to the realization that there is no talking to some people and sometimes you have to go to extremes and it's probably what you need to do too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment