I feel like a FAILURE, what do I do now?

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

  • by petluvr
    Specializes in Pediatrics.

You are reading page 3 of I feel like a FAILURE, what do I do now?

petluvr

12 Posts

Specializes in Pediatrics.
I think that's too much detail. I'd put discharged and if they ask say I made a medication error and here's what I learned from it...It admits accountability for the error but that you're willing to learn from it.

Were you able to bounce back quickly and find a job? I feel like I'm going to look like a liability and no one is going to give me a chance

scrubwearer

58 Posts

Specializes in LTC/Rehab, ICF/MR, Mental Health.
Were you able to bounce back quickly and find a job? I feel like I'm going to look like a liability and no one is going to give me a chance

I haven't lost a job but a friend of mine did and he had no trouble finding a new job. I can't imagine there's a nurse out there that hasn't made a med error.

Specializes in Registered Nurse.

I'm sorry you lost your job. You are not a failure. I have not worked for a long term care provider, but have trained some nurses in long term care to perform medical procedures. I don't understand why a medication without an actual order would be transcribed to an MAR. The practice of borrowing meds. sounds like it's very common. The management of the healthcare provider should address why nurses feel the need to "borrow" meds, and provide solutions or direction as to what do in the situation. Long ago, some medical providers would call this a "system error" and work to provide solutions. It appears that the provider that employed you, finds it easier to replace the nurse, than address the problem. It's unfair, and you should not hold yourself accountable for what appears to be many errors in the process of medication administration at that long term care facility. Unfortunately, it's never a good idea to speak badly of a previous employer as you look for your next job. But know, that you did the best that you could, and that you are not a failure as you move forward to look for you next job.

Specializes in LTC.
You know what... the acute care places around me hire LPNs at 13-15 dollars / hour. If LTC would drop their pay to that level and hired more LPNs at that rate, staffing wouldn't be an issue, nursing care could be competent with a higher nurse to patient ratio and job satisfaction (minus the money) would most likely cause more nurses to be retained. I got into nursing not expecting a lot of money but wanting the title of "nurse", the respect that came with it, and the direct patient contact knowing this person is healthier and improving because I was there for them. Even with 3 years experience, I am still working for LESS THAN $15/hr base pay. Perhaps with more nurses, there would be more accurate documentation, less med errors, less stress, more job satisfaction.

Also, when I picked up PRN work in LTC to supplement the acute care income, it was a nightmare I hope to never go back to. Seriously? Every day on a quarter of all the patients I was "borrowing" from another resident's med stock- 16 residents, 1 nurse, 1 CNA, too much of a headache.

Mr. John doe is here for MRSA in his leg.

Why can John Doe not use his upper extremities?

We think he had a stroke?

How can I find out?

You can check his hard chart?

What about his admission assessment?

It won't tell you much.

I found his hard chart, there's nothing in there about a stroke, upper extremity weakness, nor excessive confusion and dysphagia. Did this all happen here?

I'm not sure. He's been here several months.

Like seriously.... Are you kidding me?

I'm so over LTC. It only took 3 months of PRN agency work to make me appreciate my "non-RN" status within the hospital setting.

Dear petluvr,

This may have been a very bad experience for you, but at the same time there ARE other jobs at there and possibly even some in LTC. It is just a very long, hard, arduous search, but you can do it if you keep trying. Create a portfolio of your experience, certifications, knowledge base, etc. Bring it to every interview. Invest in a wonderful new suit! Be knowledgeable and always have follow up questions premade for the end of every interview you attend.

I wish you the best and may you never have a terrible experience like this again.

16 patients in LTC wow lol that must be nice...one of the halls at my facility has 32.

sharpeimom

2,452 Posts

Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

I'm so sorry you were terminated. I think it happens to almost everyone of us at some time or another unfortunately. Sometimes for a legitimate reason, but just as often, for no valid reason.

I had a similar experience to your meds experience, but instead of being fired, a written reprimand was placed in my file for a year. It's been nearly two decades and I still think my reprimand was totally unfair. I arrived for my shift on a psych floor and one patient had gone home on a weekend pass. His weekend meds (including for Sunday evening) were missing but not signed out. His nurse had gone home early with a bug. He returned Sunday afternoon, but without his late afternoon and evening meds.

I asked his wife where they were. These were nice people but neither was too bright. She just looked blankly at me. What my mom used to call that "HUH?" look.

I asked whether he'd taken them already and he said he hadn't had any pills yet today. :no: I asked if he were absolutely sure and he said he was. I called the supervisor and she said to skip his late afternoons just in case he had had them and give his HS meds early.

Fine. Wrote it down in the chart and supervisor signed it.

Gave the HS meds a little early and shortly after, he found me and told me he'd already taken those in the morning when he'd taken all of his "Sunday" pills. Sup called MD and explained our mess. MD insisted on my reprimand but wanted none for nurse who hadn't signed all those meds out, because I was newer and needed to learn a good lesson. The other nurse got nothing.

When you interview, don't lie and never act or sound defensive. It sounds like one of those horrible things that you'll never know what really happened or what motivated events.

Wallow a little more, say "Oh ____!' pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get back at it! Don't rule out going back to school yet.

You aren't in a good place to make that decision right now. Hugs...

MotherRN

192 Posts

16 patients in LTC wow lol that must be nice...one of the halls at my facility has 32.

Yes, my former facility had a patient ratio that was 22 + (it fluctuated). But, the CNA's had a load of 8, not 16, so that makes a difference. I bet the nurse was making up the difference in what the CNA could not handle.

Didn't know borrowing meds from another patient was anything worse than bad management (and I suppose someone getting charged incorrectly). I say this because, inspite of the kit with excess drugs, they were limited. And usually only used for antibiotics til and order came in. Narcotics were being handled differently, we were no longer allowed to get them from the kit. But, being out of med and being told to check to see which other patient had said med, was always the answer-so the patient got their med on time. Good to know it's a serious problem because I am new and was being trained poorly on my LTC.

I, too, lost that job about three months in over a run in with a CNA and office politics. I was planning to reapply starting tomorrow to more LTC's because I need money and they are hiring. It scares me to my bones the thought of going back to the managed chaos that is LTC!!! It seems like an accident waiting to happen all the time! We weren't just out of meds, not even get me started on the lack of wound care supplies!!!!

Guest343211

880 Posts

About your resume......

Do not say that you were terminated. There is no way for any future employer to find out this information. It is illegal for your currently employer to disclose the details of your departure. When asked why you left, you can say you are looking for something better, in a different field, with different hours, or whatever. Just don't say anything negative about your former employer. And good luck! I hope you find a great job.

It is not necessarily illegal. Depends on the state and other factors. In fact, a place can be held accountable if they did not share about an high risk issue for firing. Look at the Charles Cullen situation and what transpired out of it. And remember, it's not legally considered slander or libel if the information is a fact.

Regardless, there is a way to find out information. Whether a former employer divulges it on the sly is a consideration. In certain circles, things can be carried to others.

Overall though, on both ends--employer or the former employee--people usually decide to stay neutral to avoid problems. . .but there are exceptions.

About borrowing meds, shoot, when I first started in the hospital, meds were borrowed or meds were unofficially stocked as a practical matter; b/c pharmacy wasn't open at one place at night, and getting the supervisor to get what you needed could take forever. Things changed, however, and sternly worded policies were enacted. Everyone had to adapt to new systems. Now there are nice things called pyxis and the like--med ATMs.

Only you can decide if it is worth it for you to fight the whole stupid thing. If not, stay neutral if at all possible. Just say that it wasn't the fit for you. I hate that term usage, "fit," but it seems to be what's in vogue. :) You will get past this. One day you will stand back and realize that there are so many stink holes and so little time. "Watch your back," should be part of the Nightingale pledge.

Guest343211

880 Posts

PS. You are NOT a failure!

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