I made a huge mistake.. I made up vitals and got caught..

Nesher, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2005

Years ago I worked with a wonderful nurse who made up one set of vitals on a patient. She was fired. Think about it.

It seems clear you are trying to weasel out of taking responsiblity for your actions. It also seems clear that you will probably stop reading these postings and go to work on Monday as if nothing happened. It seems clear you will try to skate, but guess what, what goes around comes around. Think about that too.

It is also clear that you are somewhat stricken with a guilty conscience, but are only concerned about covering for yourself than recognizing what harm you have done.

Quit.

Become a politican.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Mar 4, 2005

To the OP:

This is going to sound harsh but would you really have such remorse if you hand't gotten caught? I doubt it.

If they throw the book at you, then more power to them. Sorry (actually, no i'm not!), there's no excuse for "faking" vital signs. Some pts.' medication depend on what their vitals are. Lying can wind up killing them.

What if someone did this to someone you loved?????? Or to YOU???

You're getting no sympathy from me. :rolleyes:

Liddle Noodnik · Mar 4, 2005

Hi.. I am a medical assistant. ...What should I do to make this right.. I am not going to do that ANYMORE, and I will be making sure vitals are done on everyone. But what if I get asked about the situation what can I do or say????? Please help me..........

Yeah, be honest. You know what, I have been out of work for a year and a half (RN) and about 6 mo ago I realized/remembered that I too was taking short cuts in my work - bluffing assessments and meds given ie, I would notice hours later that I missed a med, and I would either give it late or not at all, depending, and falsely chart it. If I thought it was an error that could cause harm, then I did report myself.

It was due to my depression and anxiety, and also due to the fact that my assignments were unrealistic (everybody's assignment was often unrealistic). So I never fessed up, but I did end up having to get out. I'm still being treated for my depression.

Anyway, if any factors such as what I mentioned ARE involved, be honest about that too - let them know if you are having personal problems and need to get help, or if it is due to a great big work load.

I am TOTALLY ashamed of what I did! What if I failed to catch someone going into CHF or what if those missed/late meds really compromised someone? and how many more times would I do that, and how much further would I go to cover up for what I had done or not done? Mannnn...

I am most likely not going to go back into nursing. I have had these episodes of depression/anxiety affect my work wayyyy too much... I was not a safe practitioner and may never be. I have to be honest with MYSELF most importantly and YOU DO TOO!

Good luck and God bless - this was a really big step coming out and admitting this, it will ultimately be the best thing to come clean, even if there are consequences.

lovinghands · Mar 5, 2005

You lied to make yourself look competent to your co-workers and in return it gave you a sense of power/control in a busy office setting. Now you fear your co-workers know the truth... Interestingly, your postings reflect no concern over pt welfare only your appearance and job security. You do not belong in a medical setting.

Dishonesty,deceit, and immaturity deserve no place in our profession. You repeatedly falsified critical assessment data. Your supervisor should pursue this matter with your licensing board. Please find another line of work before you irreversibly harm a patient - your behavior is beyond dangerous.

*PICURN* · Mar 5, 2005

uuugh I hate workers like you. One of the reasons why I chose ICU...I GET MY OWN VITALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Funny how in one of my clinicals when there was one CNA for the floor, the 0800 vital sheet was posted (which she "completed") and WOW how amazing that every single patient had a respiratory rate of 20!!!!!!!! My instructor had a few words w/her........

OH even better. While in nursing school, my patient's RN had completely filled out the assessment sheet on the patient before EVER setting foot in the room! I had to go up to her to correct her that NO the lungs were NOT clear....NO she did not have intact skin....you get the picture.

I can't even believe you would sit here and "think it over" about coming clean to your boss.

Whatever. What goes around, comes around and you will get what you deserve in the end. Please find a new job. Actually, you'll be forced to eventually.

ugghhh scary....

Fiona59 · Mar 5, 2005

I'm in agreement that the orignal poster needs to rethink her working future.

In another thread she outlines her plan to become an RN.

All I can think of is "I wouldn't want this person near me or my family members".

Nursing isn't for everybody, irregardless of their dreams and ambitions. I wanted to be a marine biologist but faced my limitations (academic and physical).

Thats why sometimes this website can be scary with the "go girl, you can make it through nursing school rant that some posters have". School is tough for a reason and no not everyone can or should do it.

RNKPCE · Mar 5, 2005

A friend of mine's husband had surgery at the hospital where she works. She was at his bedside most of the time and this one nurses aide falsified vitals as well. The sheet we record them on was at the bedside and my friend was there at the time the vitals were supposedly taken. I don't know if the aide didn't know my friend was a nurse and that she worked there or not. Either way she pulled that CNA aside and told her she knew she did it. She should have also gone to the nurse manager but didn't.

Now this CNA is an RN and is a Level 3 nurse( which means they do charge, attend committee meetings etc and have to apply for this special status) Everytime we see her neither of us can forget what she did, and will never trust her.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2005

If I make the commit I want to, I will get edited . So, Ill just tell a story ,my med aide went down to the end of the hall on my unit to take a patients complete vital signs. On her way back up the hallway she passed my CNA who was going to the same room. Not 15 seconds later my CNA stepped in the hallway and said "Hey Denise you better come here", what do ua know the patient was dead but had perfect vital signs. To the original poster, this means nothing to you. There is no shame, no nothing. I am going to say this and I will be :deadhorse ,but this is exactly why medical assistants do not = nurse. Even though nurses Im sure have done this , you dont even know what you have done, much less the adverse effects . I just cant believe someone else has not said it yet...

KrisRNwannabe · Mar 5, 2005

I totally agree with marie. I think the OP is just upset because they were caught. obviously since they went and did it again. If you really want to be an RN, when you finish and get a job, please post what hospital and floor you will be working. this way none of my family will go anywhere near there. hopefully your co-workers would read it too. No sympathy from me. If I was your boss you would have been out the door is a hurry.

truern · Mar 5, 2005

I seriously think the OP is bullsh*tting us.

For the sake of her patients, I hope I'm right :uhoh21:

kyti · Mar 5, 2005

I just hope that people realize you are an MA and not a Nurse!!! :uhoh3:

2ndCareerRN · Mar 5, 2005

I just hope that people realize you are an MA and not a Nurse!!!

We may realize it. But I would bet a month's pay she tell patients in the office that she is their "nurse"!

bob