911!! I need advice from anybody that can help!!!

[kaylsumrn2]

Last week... I lost my mind.. for a moment.. and said a curse word in a patient's room. It wasn't directed toward the patient, family member or anything of that nature. It was an off-handed (and STUPID) remark towards something that was on the television. The patient had used this particular curse word multiple times since I entered the room, and as previously mentioned.. I lost my mind... I immediately apologized, profusely...the patient came over, hugged me, and stated "it's no big deal, I feel more at home now".

The problem: I had to leave early, due to temp 101.5 and BP 204/103 with no clue as to what was going on. I went to the MD, and when I got out, I received a phone call from my manager stating there were "serious patient complaints" after I left.

The complaints: 1. I used vulgar language (the one word I used.. has been inflated to 3). 2. I didn't do an assessment (I did indeed to a full and complete assessment and documented it as such) according to pt and significant other which is being counted as false documentation 3. The patient questioned one of the medications that I had given and that I told her "Just take it" (I always take MARS to the room and go through them one by one as I'm popping the pills out of their unit dose packages, and there was no question of an unidentified medication when the patient took the pills). I am a patient advocate and have NEVER prompted a pt to take a questioned medication!

In short, unprofessional behavior, a medication error, and false documentation, poor patient care. This particular patient was admitted for something psychiatric in nature, and I can only guess that the significant other is enabling negative-attention-seeking behavior. I am NOT lying, I admitted that I said the curse word that I said, and I agree that some kind of consequences should come from that. I have worked for this company for almost 2 years, and have no previous discipline other than a past attendance but I've been recommended for termination and I have one last shot (in 2 days) to plead my case. I'm a very good nurse and I like my job, does anyone have any suggestions of how to fix this issue?

[athena55, BSN, RN]

First off, I do hope that your blood pressure is a wee bit more under control!

Secondly, where did you "mess up"?

It is so very sad when a non-union hospital would not support its professional nurses or nursing staff! Certainly sounds like the nursing administration doesn't have your six (your back)

Sad to think that maybe the only resolution to this is to leave, but the other posters seem to think that might be your best bet. I guess I would agree ESPECIALLY if this is how they would treat someone....Hand in your two week notice and start looking for a place that will appreciate your knowledge and professionalism.

You've already apologized for your "verbal slip" but I would NOT admit to doing anything else. Your rep is on the line. Keep your head up.

Good luck to you. I had a similar episode waaaay back in the day. A Lawyer told nursing administration that I used several curse words at him (I had to suddenly transfer him to a med/surg floor as we were getting a trauma in and he did not think he was well enough to transfer out) The mental and emotional anguish that I went through over that episode. The hospital lawyers met with me. The only saving grace I had was it was the same small hospital I graduated from and this was the first time something like this came up. At least ONE supervisor had my back. In the end nothing came of it, but like I said I was an emotional wreak for many weeks after. Shook me up......

If you can, walk away with your head held high.

athena

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Quite a powerful cussing voice you have there...what word was it? Inquiring minds want to know. Your patient clearly hasn't been outside much, no TV. Good thing you didn't pass a loud fart, those virgin ears might not have survived.

This is so outlandish, for them to recommend firing you without coming to you first? Yep, go to the meeting and have a resignation letter handy. DO NOT sign anything!!! After all if you're no longer employed by them, there's no reason to obey orders any more. Make sure you have a copy of your most recent evaluation and bring it to your job interviews so you don't need a reference from your stupid manager.

PS If you can work that word into the conversation after you've been fired...I'll give you five bucks for each time you say it

[kaylsumrn2]

first, i'd like to whole-heartedly thank all who took the time to read and reply... your time is valuable and greatly appreciated!!

second, here's the update of my situation:

the complaints:

1. i used vulgar language (the f-bomb to be precise) in a conversation with a patient in they were using profanity, and i was asked to comment by the patient. the truth is the truth.. i said it, i admitted i said it. in context, it was a comment made in reply to comments the pt was making about something on television. i apologized profusely, and i was hugged by the patient and told "it's no big deal sweetie, i feel more at home now".

2. i didn't do an assessment: i did, it's documented. this issue was dropped.

3. the patient questioned one of the medications that i had given and that i told her "just take it". the pill in question did not exist after consulting the pharmacy and mars, it was not pulled nor administered. this issue was dropped.

resigning was never given as an option. my employment was terminated due to extreme unprofessional behavior for saying the f-word, and because i stopped to take my blood pressure in the patient's room (i wasn't feeling ok, i had given report on my patients and was on my way out).

so.. now how do i go about trying to get another job.. after being terminated for "extreme unprofessional" behavior.

everything happens for a reason right?

thanks again!

[pattyrn376]

you have a few days to feel sorry for yourself, then, get to working that resume, start to work on applications and just keep on trucking, as for unemployment, sometimes it can be hard to get because there are generally more nursing slots than nurses. You might have to work at a job for a short time that isnt exactly what you want because it is easier to find work if you are working it seems like. By the way, where I work, they dont mind if we cuss just try to keep it out of ear shot of pts (haha) where I work, sometimes you do have to speak their language, and sometimes that includes a cuss word here and there, usually the S word though. Chalk this up to experience and go on,

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Sheesh, what a weak excuse to fire someone. I was actually told in a communications class that sometimes it is therapeutic to speak to the patient using the same terms they use. You wouldn't ask about feces when the patient talks about "s@#t."

If that's been your only misstep I can't imagine that you'd have any trouble finding another job. Consider it a promotion.

[meluhn]

This is a bad situation but there must be someone who can vouch for you as a character witness if your managers don't really know you. I know that psych patients can lie and be very manipulative. We had one lady that accused a nurse of pushing lovenox into her picc line. She would always act like your best friend and then bad mouth the last nurse to the next shift. It wasn't long before everybody figured out her MO.