I've been working at an Assisted Living Place since May 7. Here's whats happened since I've been there
My 2nd day, they find out around 60 Tylox were stolen. Cops called, got a report. I guess they sell for $10 a pill on the street.
I also find out that before this happened, maybe a week or two before I started, another set of Tylox (for the same patient, no less) had gone missing. That time it was b/c the DON had left the keys out.
The set that was stolen sometime between the first set and my second day of working there (they arent sure exactly when it was taken) looked like the lock box (which was really a filing cabinet with a padlock on it) had been broken into... the drawer was all bent/warped, like a crowbar had been taken to it or something.
For some reason the ADON got suspended for the second set hat they discovered stolen.... She was back 2 days later, and both the ADON and DON were written up since they were both supervisors "in charge" of these meds.
By the way, this place had 3 nurses, myself included... the DON, ADON and me (They use Med Techs.. nurses are more like case managers, doing doctors day and stuff like that).
So, a few weeks later (maybe a week and a half ago) the ADON apparently comes in on a Friday night... on her day off, in her uniform. Goes up to the med cart and says to the Med Tech she's gonna do their 45 day review (the med tech gets "tested" every 45 days, they are supposed to be followed around for a complete med pass)... the med tech was like "Um, The DON's already done all of them" so the ADON said "Oh well I'll help you on your med pass"... She ended up giving meds to 2 residents and leaves... The 2 med techs said she smelled like alcohol and was acting weird, so they counted the meds after she left and apparently 4 or 5 narcotics (just individual pills) were missing!
Then on Monday, they discover MORE narcotics were stolen... like A LOT! They had come on after the nurses has left for the day on Friday and were left locked up in the nurses' office (med techs have a key to get in tho), but someone must have unlocked the door (or someone left it unlocked) and taken them. Obviously, someone who knew what they were doing.
They ended up firing the ADON b/c of all that had happened (she'd only been there maybe 7 or 8 months)... well, I think they really said "You can either be terminated or resign" so I think she wrote a resignation letter.
Down to 2 nurses.
During this whole time the corporate office sent in a QA Nurse . Well, we just got the report back and there were 16 pages of errors. Although I had gone through a couple of the charts to see what she was talking about and there were only maybe 1 or 2 errors she said I had done.. one of them said the doctor ordered a coumadin change and it was not written on the MAR but it was?!? I did nothing wrong, so who knows what the hell this lady is talking about.
Anyway, b/c of all the errors and the missing meds, the DON was told she had to be terminated or resign today.
Down to one nurse.
Me.
Been a nurse for 5 months... and only practicing for a month and a half.
I'm on call from now on 24/7 until further notice. We have another DON started July 2nd, but I HOPE TO GOD corporate sends other nurses from other facilities in the same company between now and then to help out.
Do not run from that place without quitting first; at least two weeks notice. Ask them to send your check in the Mail.
Yes quit first, No do not give a two weeks notice, you don't owe them anything. That was your first nursing job, you don't need them for a reference nor do you want to give them as a reference. No reason you can't go in to pick up your check. You have done nothing wrong. They are the ones at fault.
Run! You were right, you are going to get 10,000 replies telling you to run. This place is a mess and you could lose your license over it. It's not worth it. Run! I don't think I'd even bother turning in my 2 weeks notice. If future employers ask why, I think they'll understand when you tell them.
This place is just down right scary. Get out before you get caught in something you have no experience with or could ruin your career!
On the pt abandonment issue, since she said she's now on call 24/7, is she considered always on duty and so could it be abandonment? (Just curious on how that works).
I agree with running. That situation is insane, and as the only nurse left, you'll be the only one left to point fingers at.
Specializes in ICU;CCU;Telemetry;L&D;Hospice;ER/Trauma;.
pack your bags and get the heck out of there....you might get something pinned on you that you don't deserve....they are completely unaccountable....if I was you...once I was out....an anonymous phone call to the state over-seer/ombudsman for the state for nursing homes would get a phone call.....this is elder neglect, because their MEDICATIONS are being stolen/withheld....which is a violation....and who knows what else isn't being done....and since you are now the ONE IN CHARGE, you need to resign and get out before you get hung for something....
look for something in a better environment...good luck.
Here is my immediate concern for you...how are the narcotics accounted for? Being a LTC facility, likely not computerized, so I'm assuming it is via a manual count, which, if I am not mistaken, requires 2 *LICENSED* people (of course I am not too familiar with the whole med tech thing). REGARDLESS, even if the med techs are acceptable participants, THEY DO NOT HAVE A LICENSE TO LOSE LIKE YOU!!!!!!!! Yes it does appear that the previous problem of missing narcs goes back to the former ADON and DON. HOWEVER, please hear me when I tell you, as a new nurse, nursing can be a cutthroat profession. Not to sound paranoid, but nurses are constantly getting the shaft from 'the man' (as well as many other sources) and you just never hear about nurses getting a break/the benefit of the doubt. Organizations will do what it takes to save face, avoid a lawsuit, etc. and would not even wince at sacrificing a nurse with 25 years of service to accomplish this...what do you think they would do to you as a new nurse???
Here is my point: what if the med techs were also involved in swiping some of the narcs? what if one of them wakes up and decides to just try some Tylox that day? Might be far-fetched, but do you want to take that chance? YOU are the only licensed person there now (except for maybe a pharmacist).
You had better somehow obtain some kind of documentation (maybe from a pharmacist if you have one there on-site?) that all narcs are accounted for and THEN get the H**l outta there!
Like others said, patient abandonment will not be the issue unless you show up for work , agreee to work and then walk out without being relievd by another nurse. Run run run from there.
You are to young of age and in nursing to have to be experiencing this. Call the State Board of Nursing first thing Monday morning and get clarity on "abandoment" in this circumstance. Put in your two weeks notice NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do not be concerned about finding another job, there's a nursing shortage.
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DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN
3,932 Posts
Call and quit. The fact that they have no one is their own doing, their own fault. It's not your problem, it's their problem. They can call an agency.