Got an email yesterday around 4:50pm saying they have a spot open in Wisconsin for next weekend , February 24th-26th. Called yesterday but the office was closed already. Called this morning and BAM......... Im scheduled and checking flights and hotel to Milwaukee!!!!!
Specializes in EMT since 92, Paramedic since 97, RN and PHRN 2021.
Okay, im not in the best of moods right now. Had an issue when I was doing my IV meds. Without disclosing too much there was an issue with the MAR I was handed to do. Basically the MAR, for the time meds are to be given, had 18:00 listed twice for the same meds and had x's next to the times(where I would normally initial whether i gave or held. Now obviously I failed that portion because I didn't fill out the MAR completely. I brought this to the attention of the CE who said " I can't comment on the MAR". I then went to the CA who just laughed about it and said "oh, look at that". So the next day I go to repeat the IV meds, did everything right, but when I went to evaluate the IV site I had taken my glove off cause my hand was sweaty. So when I used the back of my hand to feel for anything, they failed me.
I think I have a valid appeal here. The MAR I was given the first day of testing was flawed. I even wrote a statement on the CE's testing sheet when I signed it saying that the MAR was flawed. I was set up to fail before I even started the lab.
Specializes in EMT since 92, Paramedic since 97, RN and PHRN 2021.
The PCS part of my weekend was a little rough, not on my account though. My first PCS I had written out my care plan, got it approved and was ready to walk in to the room when the CE comes to me and says, oh this patient changed her mind, she doesnt want a male nurse taking care of her. So I had wasted all the time and effort coming up with everything for it to be for nothing. So I had to start all over again. Write up a plan, got it approved , went in and took care of the patient, and I was the first of us to pass a PCS. It was after that the I was screwed over on my IV lab.
Ive already got the email from excelsior on how to do the appeal. Im sitting in Clevelands airport waiting for my flight.
I could see if it was something I did wrong, I could accept that, but when the NSL MAR they gave me was flawed, they should have stopped and allowed me to do a different one.
I am so sorry, Bill. I hope there is favour for your appeal. You have been a tremendous inspiration and help to many on this journey. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
I've been thinking about the situation you went through, that there was a medication on the MAR twice with an x next to it, where your initial is supposed to go. So, I was thinking what would I do at the hospital where I work. I work on a MED-SURG floor and we get MAR mistakes all the time, I call the pharmacy or Dr. all the time to verify and I have to fix the mistake by making a correction on the MAR. I understand your a Paramedic so you won't deal with MAR problems in your field. I was a Basic and when I started to work in the hospital, it was a shock of how many times a night I had to verify and correct mistakes. Maybe the CE was trying to see what you would do in the situation. I don't know, just assuming.
And the mistake of assessing the IV with the back of your hand ungloved, I can also see why they would ding you on that.
I've been thinking about the situation you went through, that there was a medication on the MAR twice with an x next to it, where your initial is supposed to go. So, I was thinking what would I do at the hospital where I work. I work on a MED-SURG floor and we get MAR mistakes all the time, I call the pharmacy or Dr. all the time to verify and I have to fix the mistake by making a correction on the MAR. I understand your a Paramedic so you won't deal with MAR problems in your field. I was a Basic and when I started to work in the hospital, it was a shock of how many times a night I had to verify and correct mistakes. Maybe the CE was trying to see what you would do in the situation. I don't know, just assuming.
And the mistake of assessing the IV with the back of your hand ungloved, I can also see why they would ding you on that.
But I thought you could fail 3 times, right???
If what he said is what happened, then he reported the MAR error to the CE, and then to the CA. Had they corrected the MAR or obtained clarification from the staff nurses regarding the duplication, there is a good chance that he would not have failed this AOC, which would have meant no need for a repeat. This is what I believe he will appeal, as would I.
I forget what it was called, but back when I went through, we had the option to invoke 'something' if we felt that to proceed would cause, or had the potential to cause harm.Hopefully, this does not apply in Bill's case, as I think this happened during a lab station and not with an actual patient.
I discovered an error on my MAR (with the patient label), and I handed it back to the CE. She corrected it and returned it to me...with part of the error remaining. I pointed it out again, and was instructed to proceed. Then and only then did I move forward.
It is not for the student to alter the MARs...only to identify any concerns, invoke (???jeopardy???) if said student were to proceed, and wait for instructions. Again, I don't think it applies here, but more of proceding when/if a patient refuses a particular AOC due to being in pain, fear of whatever, etc..
Specializes in EMT since 92, Paramedic since 97, RN and PHRN 2021.
I know for a fact that the CA didn't know that the MAR was messed, only because when I finished the lab I brought it to the attention of the CA and she just laughed it off like it was no big deal. I wish I could have taken a snapshot of the MAR on my cell phone so I could show you. Also it wasn't just one med/line but several that had both 18:00 for the next med time. The times should have been 14:00 and 18:00 and it also had the x's in the spaces where you would initial if you gave the med or did not give the med.
So I had wasted all the time and effort coming up with everything for it to be for nothing. So I had to start all over again. Write up a plan, got it approved , went in and took care of the patient, and I was the first of us to pass a PCS. It was after that the I was screwed over on my IV lab.
nursebeth77, ASN
25 Posts
Almost done ✅