Published
I just started my first job as an RN in August, just graduated in May and already been "let go" for something I did not do. I can't do anything because I was still on my probationary period (which I had a week left of) and did not have any union to talk to. This is what happened: I had an admit including 4 patients already. This patient had the wrong ID band on, which was later found out 2 days later. I DID NOT put the ID band on, someone else did but did not fess up to it, still no one knows who did. Since I was the admitting nurse, they asked me about it and I told them honestly I did not put it on and was too busy to even think about it. Although I know what my fault in this was, I did my patient checks before med administering, which was name and DOB and compared to the MAR, no med errors were made. The patient is very alert and oriented. Of course they won't listen to me since I have no seniority at all. I feel "over punished." There are the two other shifts who did not notice it either, which is why it was not found out until two says later, but again since I was the admitting nurse with no seniority, who will they believe? Is it wrong for me to feel that I have been done wrong because that is how I feel. My charge nurse (who was also one of my preceptors) was the one who brought it up to the manager. Also, what got me mad was that my manager had a small talk with me on Thursday about the issue and wanted to meet with me on Friday. She was busy on Friday so she said to meet on Monday (yesterday) to eventually be "let go" of. I worked on Friday and Saturday; if I have had done such a bad thing, she should not even let me have worked/practiced on those days and make me feel that I should not have worried too much about the issue. I'm really sad...but life does go on and so will my job search. Any words of wisdom or comments, other than make sure to check all armbands. This really sucks.
I've found ER admits with NO nameband upon arrival or on the second shift after admit, even when they were clearly confused and unable to state their name. And I've found the wrong nameband on a patient who had been on the unit for several days, which I discovered by checking the pt's name and medical number to compare with the MARS (which obviously the other nurses had not done).
My "guess" is that they thought there were some other problems with your work and that you were not let go for only this situation.
I'm confused. Was the ID band incorrect, but the patient and his chart correct otherwise? That sounds like a harsh punishment to me. There were a number of factors that lead up to that error and you were one of the links in a long chain. They should try and make sure it doesn't happen again in the future. Management should have handled it better and you should have representation at that meeting. I have a sneaking suspicion you might have been let go or other reasons, but this is one that sounds the most reasonable to them or one that will "stick". I'm sorry and know how you feel, seriously. I suppose all you can do is learn from this and try and move on. I know it will be tough, but what other options do we have really. There will be a lot more lessons in the future. This will only make you stronger.
Dorito, ASN, RN
311 Posts
My motto is "everything happens for a reason" and perhaps this wasn't the best job for you. I'll bet a short time from now you will have a new job that is your dream job. Just move on and know something better is waiting right around the corner with your name on it. P.S. Belated Happy Birthday!