Write-Ups & Disciplinary Action

augigi, CNS · Nov 28, 2006

I had never heard of it until I came to this site. We do not have this "punishment" culture in the Australian system, at least not that I'm aware of. We do incident reports for med errors etc, and you meet with the NUM to discuss it, but I don't know anyone who got "written up" or suspended.

I do know how it feels to make a mistake, as most of us do, and you're harder on yourself than others could be. Best wishes to you.

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2006

Hi

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS!!))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Yes, over the last 40 years or so I have had 1 or 2 write-ups!!

It's hard to take sometimes!! Sometimes, I've been more angry & sometimes more hurt!!

It always depends on the reason for the write up. Sometimes it can be for something very stupid;

I know the last time I was written up it was for checking on a patient that we transferred to the MICU--she was one of my Oncology pt's & I was checking her lab work to see how she was doing. Well, since she was no longer on our unit, it was considered a HIPPA Violation!! I was angry more then anything since I felt I was just following up on a patient!!

You NEVER get used to being written up, tho. Believe me!!

Mary Ann

Indy, LPN, LVN · Nov 28, 2006

This sort of sticks in my craw! Doctors are considered to have the privilege of rambling through records of people they have seen in the past, might not be treating at the moment, just to see how they are doing.

In my opinion, it is educationally sound to be able to follow up on the status of a patient you transferred to another unit, like floor to ICU, surgery, etc. We learn things by knowing the effect our care had or didn't have on a patient, but apparently we must just all be mindless gossipping busybodies, if you ask the HIPAA people.

BSNtobe2009 · Nov 28, 2006

The internet is one of the biggest reasons people are losing their jobs. I have lost count on how many friends that I have had that have actually been fired from jobs for using computers for non-company reasons.

The best policy is to never access it at work, not during your lunch hour, before work, after work, etc.

Every website is "tagged" with a title that the company's IT department picks up and on these are reviewed very often. It is getting easier and easier to find out how much time someone spends on the internet.

The best policy is if they say a computer is for company purposes only, they are very, very serious.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2006

I agree the internet reason is rediculous. Especially if you were off work. Did they have a line of family or patients waiting to use it? Would they write you up for using the restroom in the lobby or an elevator designated for patient transport? Sounds like someone is splitting hairs.

That one sounds like a waste of paper to me.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2006

i had a adon that needed to writing someone up all the time or i guess she felt like her job was not being done. anyway she got on a kick of writing me up for junk:nono:... once i got wrote up for placing the nurses note in the chart (according to her )backwards. our nursing notes are two sided (both the same on each side) but she says the holes must be punched on the opposite side of the nursing note and placed in the chart backwards. i say be glad the note is in there and written correctly. i also made the comment if the other nurses cant figure out where to chart ,it means they cant read and don't know the days of the month:banghead:..then i told her it was time for her to focus on someone else and stop writing me up for bunk. she never wrote me up again...commuter i know it is a insult when you get a write up but, you need to keep looking forward. one thing i found out the hard way is the people in admin that you think are your friends ,that are behind you 100%...are the people that are holding the pen and paper......to many politics and back stabbing in ltc...

vamedic4, EMT-P · Nov 28, 2006

As I previously stated, I am the type of person who accepts full responsibility for my wrongdoings.
I am too shaky right now to discuss what I did to deserve the write-up, but it absolutely did not involve patient care or harming patients. One of my offenses was using the internet after my shift ended, since only family members and patients are to use our so-called 'Internet Cafe'.
My bosses did say that they did not want to see me leave the comapny over offenses that were so silly.

Then perhaps you shouldn't have been written up...maybe a stern "that's against company policy" was in order.

I'm sorry this happened to you Commuter!! I've been written up once, many years ago, for "arguing" with a 6 year old patient who was being quite unruly. Mom was in the room and we presented a united front in the situation (IV start, pt. was going ballistic just "because") but a nurse thought I acted inappropriately. Can't please everyone...

Sorry to hear about your "infractions". Take care...and don't take it too hard.

Rule 1. Don't sweat the small stuff

Rule 2. It's all small stuff.

Now while that doesn't apply in EVERY situation, perhaps it does in yours.

All the best,

vamedic4

wavin' from Lewisville

TrudyRN · Nov 28, 2006

My bosses did say that they did not want to see me leave the comapny over offenses that were so silly.

Then why not just verbally discuss it with you, as in "a word, to the wise, is sufficient"? Why commit it to paper and put it in your file (presumably)?

Oh, well, try to learn from it, be grateful you're not terminated, and just keep on going.

TrudyRN · Nov 28, 2006

one thing i found out the hard way is the people in admin that you think are your friends ,that are behind you 100%...are the people that are holding the pen and paper......to many politics and back stabbing in ltc...

by no means is this a problem unique to ltc. when it comes to work, we probably have no friends at all. not really. when it comes to life in general, our mothers are probably our only friends. lol no, i don't really mean that but it is probably a good idea to trust absolutely no one, especially at work. i have seen sooooo many times during my long years of work how the very person who is nicest to you is the one running to the boss behind your back.

TrudyRN · Nov 28, 2006

I got written up for something that happened while I was out of the state on my honeymoon.

Please tell me that your boss tore up the writeup when she realized you weren't even at work when you allegedly offended.

firefly49RN · Nov 28, 2006

the best advice i can give when you are told you will be written up,you are your best defense.don't get defensive, put the burden of proof on the accuser.make sure they are able to supply objective data on the infraction and also exactly what part of the policy and procedures manual you have not followed.be assertive, not aggressive, there is a difference.also no verbal sarcasm(this is considered verbal aggression)no matter how incredible stupid the accusation is;.be more professional than your accuser,don't cry, you can do that later. :smokin:

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2006

Well you are right....I guess my frustration regarding LTC surfaced during my post..lol Your comment about mothers being your only friend ...well I agree with that as well. I have told my daughters that over and over and I had to learn the hard way about that over the years...

By no means is this a problem unique to LTC. When it comes to work, we probably have no friends at all. Not really. When it comes to life in general, our mothers are probably our only friends. LOL No, I don't really mean that but it is probably a good idea to trust absolutely no one, especially at work. I have seen sooooo many times during my long years of work how the very person who is nicest to you is the one running to the boss behind your back.