I am so confused...

Nurses General Nursing

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i was put on suspenion because a pt. complain of me not giving her medication to her on time, plus she told DON i refused to put cream on her saying thats not my job im busy passing medication.the tx. nurse was still there but wasnt answering the page.so i asked another nurse and they said if the tx. nurse is gone yes i have to do it. so i did andtold her im sorry i didnt know.she still told DON i refused to put her cream.So suspened me to do an investagation.Can i get fired behind that i was only there three weeks i trully did not know?:crying2:

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Sounds to me like your DON overreacted. This could have easily been straightened out. Next time don't say "I can't". Just say "I have meds on the cart, I will find someone who can help you" or something like that. If they fire you over it then they should not complain about being short of staff.

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If they would suspend you so quickly without listening to your side of the story, then, yes, they might fire you. If that happens, it is most likely better that you find another job. This one does not sound very supportive of their nurses.

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Specializes in med-surg, step-down, ICU/CCU, ED.

Wow, that's about the dumbest reason I've heard for being suspended in a long time. I'm very sorry to hear about that. Your DON is an idiot, and you need to start looking for a new job ASAP rather than worrrying about whether your DON will fire you over not putting cream on a patient (WTH???).

Good grief I've noticed nurses are getting written up/suspended/fired for the craziest things nowadays. What gives? Hugs and good luck to you in the meantime!

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oh dear. please be strong. don't yah worry you can find a better employer that you truly deserve. but reflect also from your experience so that you can make a better approach next time. all the best! :)

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

It has been my experience that you can be fired over anything at anytime. It doesn't usually happen, but it's possible.

As GLORIA posted, if I really didn't have time to apply lotion/cream/ointment at that time, I would assure the person I would be back, or find someone else to help. Make it a point to never refuse to assist a pt/res outright, unless it's unreasonable. The way the pt/res sees it they are a customer paying for a service. They would be right, as that is what nursing has come to.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Telemetry, Med Surg.
Wow, that's about the dumbest reason I've heard for being suspended in a long time. I'm very sorry to hear about that. Your DON is an idiot, and you need to start looking for a new job ASAP rather than worrrying about whether your DON will fire you over not putting cream on a patient (WTH???).

Good grief I've noticed nurses are getting written up/suspended/fired for the craziest things nowadays. What gives? Hugs and good luck to you in the meantime!

Can we say, "Blame it on Press Ganey" !!! It's all about being a business, customer satisfaction, high rateings, etc. It's become so bad the past few years that I am surprised that we have any nurses left! Right now I am going through a similar situation and am on investigational suspension for a patient complaint. What ticks me off is, patients who are 'frequent flyers', act like they should be treated as if they are at the Ritz Carlton and know that they can get away with this type of behavior! It's blatant abuse towards nurses and somehow, someway this has to STOP and soon!!! :devil:

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Sounds to me like your DON overreacted. This could have easily been straightened out. Next time don't say "I can't". Just say "I have meds on the cart, I will find someone who can help you" or something like that. If they fire you over it then they should not complain about being short of staff.

If this was the only time any one has ever complained about you, then yes, I agree she overreacted. You really could have modulated your response from "I can't...I do meds, that's what the tx nurse does" can easily be misrepresented as refusal. Saying....I have everyone's medicines right now. I will find someone to help you or I will come back when I am done to help you...Ok?"

An employer can fire you for what they can percieve as inappropriate behavior and only being employed for 3 weeks ......you are on you probationary peroid they can fire you for any reason.....

I hope this works out for you.....:o

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