Worried that experienced nurse may know nothing

Nurses General Nursing

Published

We have hired a nurse with 10 yrs experience where I work. I orientated her last week (atleast I tried too). During my first med pass all she did was sit at the nurses station and read a book. She kept disappearing and such. I went to her and said, "don't you want to come with me on these rounds so that you can learn who the kids are and about their meds and such and what you can and can not do?" She said, "nah, I'll do it second med pass." :nono: Well during second med pass I caught her on several med errors (now keep in mind, I've only been a nurse 3 months) that involved seriously needed meds. (Seizure)(Narcotic) Well, I found out last night that when she trained with another nurse the night before she did the same thing. Well, tonight she is back and she's on her own. We (the other nurse) are freaking scared to death for our kids. Her comment was "I've been doing this for 10 yrs!" In my opinion, "WHO FREAKING CARES!!!! " She don't know these kids. She's never worked with kids that can go from stable to 'DEAD' in the blink of an eye. No one will be able to watch her tonight. What if she forgets their sz meds again? There are sooooo many things that can go wrong in a heartbeat. I've been there 3 months and I still worry something will happen with my kiddos. Are we justified in being concerned? :uhoh21:

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

Is it possible she WANTS to work with your peds because they CANT report her on their own? Not sure of your facility but it sounds as if she is counting on little to no feedback on what she does or doesnt do with these kids.

Scarey, would love to see those references and past work history.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Not to mention that it would be more appropriate for an RN to orient another RN.

Good point, I didn't even pay attention to that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.

Your supervisor said "well, it'll show tomorrow if she doesn't know it". Hmmmm, I find that attitude just as dangerous than this nurse's actions. That and the fact that someone gets only 3 days orientation is evidence of a rather lax safety culture on the part of management. You need to document their responses to your concerns also so that when the inevitable lawsuit rolls around they will have no defense.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Unfortunately, these kids lives are at stake, and they are unable to communicate many times. If anything, you would expect that she would want to round on these kids and find out more about them. That alone scares me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

I feel your frustration. Am I understanding this correctly? You indicate that you pretty much got no response from your immediate supervisor, right?

I think this is one of those times when you can justifiably break the chain of command. So, I guess you're at work right now and won't read this until later tonight or tomorrow. This is what I would do based on what you've written. I would pick up the phone first thing in the morning and put a call in to the Director of Nursing and tell her what is going on, your concerns for the patients and that it seems like no one is concerned, but you and your other co-worker.

If you get flak from the DON for jumping up the chain of command, appologize, ask her what you should have done in your situation.

A lot of the other posters are right. You and your co-worker are going to have to write up this lady. It doesn't have to be complicated. It can be a easy as "declined to help pass meds with me. Sat at desk instead." "Gave Patient ___ xx mg of ____. Order was for xx mg of ____." Always put the date on these and sign them. The DON can't terminate her without this documentation.

Keep us posted on what happens with this lady.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontological Nursing, Acute Rehab.

I agree with virtually everything people have told you. What I would also do now that she's on the floor by herself is document everything you find that was done incorrectly or not done at all in an incident report. Make a copy for yourself and hand in the original to the DON. That way you will create a paper trail....if the DON doesn't trash them. Good luck and watch out for those precious kids! Keep us informed!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That is VERY scary, and you are justified in being concerned. I think you're doing the right thing by documenting what you're doing on each night.

Like others have said, document everything that this woman that could be written up for, and then show it to the DON. Break the chain of command, since it sounds like your supervisor is not taking this seriously enough. The supervisor might get mad about you going over her head, but who cares? I would report what your supervisor said to you, as well.

I would encourage other people to document what they have seen themselves, so you have folks backing you up.

Someone else suggested making copies of what you would report in typing to the DON--that is a very good idea.

At our hospital, we have a risk manager/safety officer to make sure patients and staff are not being put into danger. There is also a director of safety. Find phone #s and get more information. Another thing we have is a patient safety program. Medication errors are reported using a medication incident report (MIR), and this is sent to the pharmacy, the physician is notified, and a supervisor follows up. We also have a safety hotline.

The 5 Rights of administration is practiced at the hospital I work at: Right patient, Right dose, Right time, Right drug, Right route. Document specifically what she screwed up on.

On a side note, as far as being an LPN training an RN to do meds, where I work, the main job of an LPN is to hand out meds. Now, I'm "only" a CNA, and I wouldn't know what it's like to do such things, but I think you are qualified. An RN would be better to train her with everything else, but with meds, I don't see a problem with that. It would probably be better for a more experienced LPN to do it, but I think you should know the basics very well by now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

One question: did you make a few mistakes when you started this job?? Many people do. Could it be that you are overly concerned with this issue? I just can't help but note the title of your thread here, and how exaggerated it is.

Your feelings and fears have little to do with this. Document mistakes when you find them (if you find any more) and trust your manager to deal with things.

I can't help but feel this may be a case of a new nurse eating an experienced nurse..

JMHO.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Obstetrics, M/S, Psych.
One question: did you make a few mistakes when you started this job?? Many people do. Could it be that you are overly concerned with this issue? I just can't help but note the title of your thread here, and how exaggerated it is.

Your feelings and fears have little to do with this. Document mistakes when you find them (if you find any more) and trust your manager to deal with things.

I can't help but feel this may be a case of a new nurse eating an experienced nurse..

JMHO.

Thank you! I was just a bit incredulous as I read through this thread, wondering if I was the only one who saw the OP as being a little overzealous and dramatic. I'd like to see specifically what this new RN did that was so extreme, sans the drama. I can't assume all she accuses this nurse of is true until I hear more about what's really going on.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Unfortunately, what she is decribing I have seen happen, especially with medically fragile kids in a long term facility. There is no one for them to complain to since they do not speak in most cases. Thet rely on the staff 100% to stay alive.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You've received a lot of good advice here. I would defnitely document officially, and keep a record for yourself in case anything gets "lost." Either way, let us know how tonight went. You've been in my thoughts tonight and I pray that everything is going OK.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Obstetrics, M/S, Psych.
Unfortunately, what she is decribing I have seen happen, especially with medically fragile kids in a long term facility. There is no one for them to complain to since they do not speak in most cases. Thet rely on the staff 100% to stay alive.

You're right. These kids are vulnerable and I do hope they are receiving the care they need.

It seems as though every few days lately, I see where a nurse peer is being publically decried on here as a bad nurse. I just don't like the tone and am a bit reactive to it. I know nurses whose skills seem iffy to me as well, but I wouldn't feel right posting about them on here. It just isn't right.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment