FINAL WRITTEN WARNING, first ever med error

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I scanned and gave my meds one night to a patient who's parents did not like me ( i later found out) they accused me of not giving them right away but coming back 2 hours later (this never happened), but I gave my meds, but they say I forgot to give nystatin to the baby. I swear i remember doing it, but i guess its possible.

So i was spoken to by my manager 2 weeks ago. Today I had to come in for a meeting, i was nevous because she had just fired another nurse the week before because 2 parents complained about him. Anyway, I went in thinking "ok, i've never been in trouble, have no previous write ups etc, worst case scenerio, i get my first one"...WRONG, she says i am on final written warning for false documentation, and not administering a med. The "false documentation is the fact i scanned in the med to be administered.

I tried to go to my HR department who then gave me a huge list of hoops to jump thru to get it removed.

I want to just resign and get a new job, but we have GROUP ONE in texas.

Can my manager put ANYTHING in my GROUP ONE (in Texas) report if i gave 2 week notice during a final written warning (btw what happened to the first and second??) Is she at liberty to write what ever she wants on me even if i quit with, and was not asked to resign or fired?

Thanks

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btw I've been a nurse for 13 yrs.

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........

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I do not know what you are referring to when you state: "Group One." Honestly, if you are already on final written warning, I would be searching for another job. With 13 years of experience, you will have no issue with landing another position in no time. Also, find a facility that actually takes an invested interest in you. The story you just described is no short than "throwing you under the bus." Good luck to you!

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Specializes in ICU.

WTH? Don't understand how this warrants a final written warning...no proof you did not administer the med, and no prior write-ups? Are they cleaning house?? Yes...start looking for a new job. Good luck to you:/

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.

It's so typical that hospitals would take the word of the parents over the nurse when the parents have just enough self taught webMD medical experience to be a pain in the ass.

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Seems to me she could look at the time you scanned the meds and compare that to your documentation..and how can you have a final written warning if you've never had anything before? Sounds like your manager is skipping some step. HR, I have found, is never much help in these situations. You could try the Risk Manager if you have one but again, don't think there would be much there.

If every manager fired a nurse over a patient or patient family complaint w/o throughly investigating most hospital units would be empty of healthcare workers.

Doesn't sound like you are in the wrong..apply elsewhere because from this point forward you will be uncomfortable where you are and never knowing when the ax may fall.

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Specializes in IMCU.

Human Resources is a branch of management. Are you union?

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Specializes in Rehab, critical care.

These posts lately make me very happy that I don't live in Texas lol. 2 posts in 2 days of very unfair situations, job loss or risk of job loss in Texas. Move lol. Seriously, though.....that's ridiculous. Does your manager have any proof that you didn't give the med? You said that you gave it, right? I guess I just don't understand the final written warning....you need to repeal this, regardless of how many steps you need to go through, especially if you gave the med, which you said that you did.

Best of luck to you! Even if you do find another job, you still need to quit this one (with notice) and have a clean record, so go through the hoops and get your slate cleaned (but be very professional, courteous, etc).

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I am sorry you are going through this......the current market has caused everyone to go crazy.

Whether or not it is a final written warning depends on your policy. Falsifying documentation is a serious offense, whether it is true or not. Ah....group one. One stop shopping for employee records. I HATE those places. Hospitals have been forced to become customer driven satisfaction for reimbursement which is a model that will never work in healthcare because we don't always make that customer happy. Our decisions are unpopular ones and the customer isn't always right. Another example of why everyone should carry , the climate we practice in has become absolutely insane.

I agree they have you with one foot out the door......I'd start looking.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
I do not know what you are referring to when you state: "Group One." Honestly, if you are already on final written warning, I would be searching for another job. Also, find a facility that actually takes an invested interest in you. The story you just described is no short than "throwing you under the bus." Good luck to you!
Research "Group One". Notorious group that is used for background checks on nurses, mostly in TX and mostly for profit facilities. Frequently blackballs nurses for legitimate and also, for less than legimate reasons. Many facilities will not hire anyone listed with GroupOne for ANY reason.
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Specializes in ER, ICU.

I would not let this go. Anything on your official record will haunt you. I would consult an lawyer.

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