Got written up today

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in LTC.

A couple of weeks ago I posted about a narcotic count descrepancy. Well two weeks later I got written up.

Recall: I as the oncoming nurse counted with the outgoing nurse and found two narc count errors. I told the nurse that we needed to stop counting right now, contact the DON and move on from there. THe nurse insisted that we dont get the DON involved right away and she proceeded to " fix the count"

Immediately after counting with her I went to the DON and told her everything.

So why did I get written up ? I got written up for not getting the DON involved DURING the count. My DON was very nice about it and I learned from it. NExt time that happens I'm going to contact the DON right away. Still feel terrible about this. :crying2:

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Specializes in LTC.

It was a learning experience. Next time you'll do exactly what you are supposed to do. Hopefully there won't be a next time. Don't dwell on it because it's not worth getting all upset over...just move on.

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You couldn't have learned from this without being written up? Seems ridiculous and unfair. I'm sorry this happened to you. :(

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Specializes in LTC.
You couldn't have learned from this without being written up? Seems ridiculous and unfair. I'm sorry this happened to you. :(

I'm sure the nurse manager was only following policy. As mine always preaches Policy, policy POLICY!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.
You couldn't have learned from this without being written up? Seems ridiculous and unfair. I'm sorry this happened to you. :(

Maybe, but if the count was fixed, there is no proof that the med count was off in the first place, hence the policy. :)

To the OP: Out of curiosity, how did the other nurse "fix" the med count? I just don't see how someone could possibly fix a count...missing meds are missing meds, and they just don't reappear! Unless Nurse Magician pulled two from her pocket.

I'm a student, and I've seen only one count ever take place, but that was months ago. And, if it's a stupid question to ask in an open forum, then it's stupid. I'm sure someone will say so. :lol2:

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Specializes in Hem/Onc, LTC, AL, Homecare, Mgmt, Psych.

Did the other nurse lie and say the medication was given when it wasn't and then "fixed" the count? If you helped cover up a diversion or lie I could see the write up. But seeing a problem and correcting it doesn't warrent a write up.

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Specializes in M/S, ICU, ICP.

I am so sorry. I know you will handle it better should it ever happen again. Always follow that little "uh oh" feeling in your gut. I always do.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

Are you working in a LTC where you physically count the meds at the end of each shift? I do and I think this procedure is unfair to nurses, considering pixis machines have been invented. There is way to much room for errors and indiscrepancies. I worked in a rural hospital where you had to manually count the meds at the end of each shift. There was a ER manager who got away with stealing narcs for 2 years as he was always 'fixing the count.' He only got caught b/c a MD actually walked in on him in the act of injecting himself w/ morphine.

The way I see it is if you or the other nurse actually wanted to steal those drugs you would have 'fixed the count' before the other one noticed. The DON is shooting herself in the foot being punitive about it b/c next time you are going to try to cover it up. How come you and the other nurse didn't get drug tested? That is what should have happened.

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you have to go by the policy...

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Specializes in PACU, CARDIAC ICU, TRAUMA, SICU, LTC.

What happened to the nurse who "fixed" the count?

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So why did I get written up ? I got written up for not getting the DON involved DURING the count. My DON was very nice about it and I learned from it. NExt time that happens I'm going to contact the DON right away. Still feel terrible about this

Based on what you say here, I'm going to assume the D.O.N, came to the same likely conclusion as my take on this scenario. That a normally conscientious employee was caught up in a bad situation. Everyone has a narc story at some time or another.

Lesson learned, it won't happen again.

Think of your Narcs like the Nitroglycerin in a Coyote and Road Runner cartoon,.. extremely explosive. Handle with extreme care and don't let your guard down until the vial is stowed away and the crate is secured.

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yeah. how did she "fix the count"?

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