I'm from MI. We have lots of schools that put out nursing students here and it was difficult to find a job after graduating in 2006 with a BSN. I found a job in chronic outpatient dialysis, which I felt didn't use all of my abilities. I found a job at a hospital ICU by walking on to the floor with my resume, I have never gotten very far with online applications. Well I maintained this job for 5 months and loved it. Until...
For 2-3 days the state came through so everyone was being careful. Well the state found some problems w/ in my charting. I had made a med error. I gave Lantus 30 units at 8pm. When given report the reporting nurse said the patient "was to get the Lantus at 8" and that would help since his BS was in the 300s, so I gave it to him at 8 trusting the reporting nurse. I know the 5 rights, and should have looked in the chart for correct time to give the med. The med was supposed to be given at 8am. There was no record that it had been given that morning! Anyway I called the nurse at home and she said she had given it to him (his BS was in the 300s all day). I watched him closely and tried to find the sheet to write down the incident report, but the secretary couldn't find it and I got caught up with all the other work I had to do as an ICU RN. I watched the pt closely (he had no ill affects) and his BS remained in the 170s during the night. I told the oncoming nurse what had happened.
Second thing I did wrong. My patient was post cardiac sheath, the sheath was out (about 2 days). I had forgotten he had had that sheath in. We were doing dopplers on his legs, which I had thought was due to his bad perfusion. I couldn't find the pulse, but pt didn't complain of pain and foot was still warm. Meanwhile, shortly after 8pm assessment my other pt had a BP of 52/19 and needed immediate attention. I called the DO and started a saline bolus. They wanted a bunch of tests done on him and I was busy w/ him for awhile, his BP didn't come up to 70s/x for 2-3 hrs. I peaked in on my other guy to do turns etc, but still couldn't get a pulse w/ the doppler. I asked an LPN to check the doppler reading while I was busy w/ my other pt but she didn't have time to do it either. My night manager was gone for staffing during some of the time and didn't ask if I needed help when she got back (she knew that I was busy the DOs were up to help and such). The night manager even allowed the phlebotomist to take blood out of the doppler guy's affected leg...since his perfusion was so bad and she couldn't get blood any other way.
There is no union at this hospital. I was called in to comment on the mistakes and was very upset. They called the HR department and suspended me pending discharge for "deliberate behavior resulting in danger, discomfort or harm to a pt." I was given a hearing which consisted of meeting w/ the same immediate supervisor and the HR guy, both of whom were biased. The hospital let go of 26 people a month previous and has had major budget cuts.
I'm trying to get unemployment but was denied initially. Any ideas on were to go from here? I have my BSN...but jobs are scarce here. Also how do I address this in an interview, should I emphasize overall budget cuts? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I feel terrible and am considering any ideas:cry:
I have heard of employers reporting false accusations as well as exagerrated accusations to the Board against someone they have fired. I think I would tend to let sleeping dogs lie also. I was threatened with this when I reported the elder abuse of the nurse who was supplying the DON with the drugs she was stealing. But when I found that I was being slandered, I sought legal help and took the steps my attorney advised. Sometimes it is hard when you are trying to pick and choose your battles and you don't have a job.
caliotter3
38,333 Posts
I have heard of employers reporting false accusations as well as exagerrated accusations to the Board against someone they have fired. I think I would tend to let sleeping dogs lie also. I was threatened with this when I reported the elder abuse of the nurse who was supplying the DON with the drugs she was stealing. But when I found that I was being slandered, I sought legal help and took the steps my attorney advised. Sometimes it is hard when you are trying to pick and choose your battles and you don't have a job.