O.K. I'm a new nurse but I've worked for the same company for 2 1/2 yrs as a CNA. After orientation I felt that they hurried me through it and threw me to the wolves. Another nurse told me it was normal to feel that way, and that you cannot be taught everything you'll ever need to know on orrientation. So now I've been working for a little over a month by myself. And we have recently changed administrators, DONs, and ADONs. The administrator is mad b/c ppl are staying past their 12hrs, and therefore getting overtime. Now as a CNA I was never even called to the office much less written up. As a nurse I work Sun, Mon, & Tues 7p-7a. So after my 12 hr shift tues. I went home and slept for a while, after i woke up and began planning things to do for the rest of the day, my phone rings and its my place of work. I let it go to voicemail (I always screen my calls from work). When I check the msg it was my DON saying I needed to call her back as soon as I could. (this didn't sound good) I quickly return the call to see what the problem was. She explains that the adiministrator had asked her to talk to me, and asks if I can come in (on my day off, 30 min drive there). I asked What was going on. She explained that she felt the need to go over 3rd shift nursing responsiblities with me. I didnt really understand why b/c up til now i had not heard of anything I had not been doing. (other than the whole not beeing gone by 7:15 but ya know I'm still new.) Reluctantly I got dressed and went to work. next thing I knew I was in the DON's office with the DON, ADON, and Staffing Coordinator. (definately not good) It is Brought to my attention that the med reorder sheet that comes out on friday and is to be filled out by 3rd shift (oh joy one more thing to do) had not been filled out this wekend and this was the reason pharmacy sent EVERYTHING, and why I was overcome with meds the night b4.I quickly explained how the last time i filled it out someone else came in the next day and redid it. So I figured that if she was such a perfectionist and had the time that I beeing a new nurse did not have ten she could continue filling it out. ( not to menton what about the nurses that worked Fridaynight, and saturday night were they getting the same speech) Then it was brought to my attention that I had not followed the BM protocol. (funny I thought I did) As it turns out in all the comotion with all the meds I and everything else I had to do I somehow forgot to look at the BM sheets and over over looked a clipboard on the desk with the off going nurses notes fo the day missed the BM list she had made. ( which I thought that was why we gave report so I wouldnt have to search for information on a piece of paper that a nurse had scribbled on all day) So the one night I dont make a bm list and give my mom or enemas Wichever the case may be, I get in trouble then they go into how i have not been clocking out by 7:15, and how working a month and a half bymyself is enough time to get situated and get out on time.( I don't see how this can be said when everyone is different) anyways I get one write up with all the aboved mentioned, then I'm asked if I would like to got to days b/c they feel i wuld learn more and be more confident if i worked days for awhile. However they only have the weekend shift to put me on meaning instead of 3 days a week 36 hrs i would work 2 days a week 24 hrs. they said it would be my decision and to take the weekend to think about it. My question is is it ok to call someone to work so that you can write em up?I think ill take em up on the day shift job just so i can spend the rest of the week finding me a new job. (no im not quiting just b/c I got wrote up its something ive been thinking about for a while)
Don't blame your employer for a lot of things that seem nit-picky and silly. Yes, they ARE nit-picky and silly but that's that state board of health for you.
She has been a nurse for 1 month!! I think some of these posts are very negative, some toward her, others toward nursing in general. She's new, she's upset- it happens. Please let's try to remember what it was like being this green and give her good information and encouragement. Let's be part of the solution and not the problem people.
I totally agree! I am a night shift supervisor in a nursing home and even though the stigma is night shift doesn't do anything, this is totally not true. All the things that can't be done or is put off goes to night shift. I totally understand not getting everything completed. You are a new nurse and they should take that into concideration. Did anyone take you under their wing to make sure you are successful as a nurse? If not they should! It does get better and before long you will be a pro at multitasking and completing your work on time. Good luck to you!
I totally agree! I am a night shift supervisor in a nursing home and even though the stigma is night shift doesn't do anything, this is totally not true. All the things that can't be done or is put off goes to night shift. I totally understand not getting everything completed. You are a new nurse and they should take that into concideration. Did anyone take you under their wing to make sure you are successful as a nurse? If not they should! It does get better and before long you will be a pro at multitasking and completing your work on time. Good luck to you!
Actually they did when I worked as a CNA i had quite a fewnurses take me under their wing and thank God, but when we changed DON, ADON, and Administrater, alot of nurses (good and not so good) either got fired or quit sending my nurses to dayshift. So even though I do still have those ppl its not quite the same since I don't really work w/ them on the same shift its kinda hard to go to them. I mean I still have them, and stil ask them.
As an EX DON and ADON in a nursing home here is my view. Medication sheets are done on night and yes they have to have a 2nd person on days to make sure they are done correctly that includes making sure all the I's are dotted and all the T's crossed. Truthfully if there are that many errors when she reviews it then I would be having a problem with you. Thank god for a nurse who does it well. If you do not do it then there is no verification because the day nurse is doing it. Yes I can call you in any time you can say no but that I think it is serious enough that I need to contact you you had better be taking it seriously refusing to come in does not bode well. You are on probation and cab be fired at any time.
Federal Survey requires that the BM sheet be carried out and followed through with meticulously. If you go through a survey you will see they take the BM sheet and disect them. If they are ignored you get a discrpency which is never good. You went through it as an CNA wait for it as an Nurse.
I can bet they replaced the DON and ADON because they got a poor survey and need changes. I feel for the new ones who need to deal with nurses who poo poo med sheets and BM sheets. You are still learning maybe you should ask the rationale for these sheets and hopefully you will understand and take it more seriously.
I hope you did not say that you did not do the Med sheets because the day nurse is such a perfectionist with reverification that you think she should do it herself.
I hate to say it but you are a new nurse and show major attitude. Maybe the DON should introduse you to Survey. Hopefully that attitude will be adjusted.
Well, unfortunately, I hit the "thanks" button instead of "quote". I think your post is horribly offensive. This isn't the end of the world , you know!
I honestly don't feel that I had an "attitude" with them or with my job. As far as the change in ADON goes they went to a sister facility that was having problems at corprates "request" I do understand the importance and seriouseness of my job believe me. I even think i'm getting an ulcer from worrying about doing my job right and taking care of my patients. I understand the seriousness of the BM protocol and even though this really was my first offense in this area I guess they did have a point.
Don't worry about it. You are going to make mistake and forget things! I've been a nurse for years, I still make mistakes, as we all do. If you ask me, having all those people talking to you is utter nonsense. That is a tactic often used to bully others and intimidate. Hold your head up, learn form your mistakes, and be the best nurse you can be! You'll do fine!
As an EX DON and ADON in a nursing home here is my view. Medication sheets are done on night and yes they have to have a 2nd person on days to make sure they are done correctly that includes making sure all the I's are dotted and all the T's crossed. Truthfully if there are that many errors when she reviews it then I would be having a problem with you. Thank god for a nurse who does it well. If you do not do it then there is no verification because the day nurse is doing it. Yes I can call you in any time you can say no but that I think it is serious enough that I need to contact you you had better be taking it seriously refusing to come in does not bode well. You are on probation and cab be fired at any time.
Federal Survey requires that the BM sheet be carried out and followed through with meticulously. If you go through a survey you will see they take the BM sheet and disect them. If they are ignored you get a discrpency which is never good. You went through it as an CNA wait for it as an Nurse.
I can bet they replaced the DON and ADON because they got a poor survey and need changes. I feel for the new ones who need to deal with nurses who poo poo med sheets and BM sheets. You are still learning maybe you should ask the rationale for these sheets and hopefully you will understand and take it more seriously.
I hope you did not say that you did not do the Med sheets because the day nurse is such a perfectionist with reverification that you think she should do it herself.
I hate to say it but you are a new nurse and show major attitude. Maybe the DON should introduse you to Survey. Hopefully that attitude will be adjusted.
I hit the Thanks button because the poster made many valid points about the problems TPTB discussed with OP's work. However, I agree with others that this is a NEW NURSE who did not have adequate orientation and is doing the best she can with being overwhelmed at work and with confusing situations occurring such as another nurse redoing the med reorder sheet. Rather than being written up, the manager in a private meeting should have discussed concerning issues and offered assistance/support for her growth as a nurse. The way that TPTB dealt with that situation makes it look like a bad job situation, so it might be time to look for another job. On the other hand, that just may be the way things tend to be done in LTC (where I have never worked). In order to reduce the likelihood of future writeups or being fired, I suggest that OP clarify any confusion regarding responsibilities during the shift - such as the med reorder sheet. And OP might benefit from making a task list so that items are not forgotten with the overwhelming number of tasks that nurses are expected to do during their shift. OP's original post somewhat comes across defensive, regarding med reorder sheets and BMs. A better approach is to clarify responsibilities and policies and attempt to improve communication regarding issues. Many newer nurses have difficulties getting everything done during a shift and leaving on time (as well as experienced nurses who don't cut corners in order to appear to get everything done on time), and they should give OP time to get faster as well as assistance with time management and organizational skills.
Jo Dirt
3,270 Posts
Don't blame your employer for a lot of things that seem nit-picky and silly. Yes, they ARE nit-picky and silly but that's that state board of health for you.
Blame the state board of health.