Manager Falsified my initials

[Tanisha Hill, LVN]

My manager is a RN and I'm an LVN her and I are the only two "Nurses " in our Nephrology clinic. we have MA's who operate like nurses though. Any how. I was going through the procrit injection paper log and noticed that some of the math didn't add up. Then noticed that my initials were charted on the paper log as if I gave the injection.  I noticed that the hand writing was that of my manager. Why would she put my initials when I didn't give the injection?

so I went to my desk to find out who did give the injection. I told the nurse who is a float and happened to be there that day, which was two days after the initiation of the injection in question. she said she had gotten caught up and forgot to document but the manager had brought it to her attention to finish her documentation. 

But again it still didn't make sense why she would put my initials down after knowing who gave the injection.

so I emailed my manager and "CC'd" her manager, our director, and Human resources in the email. I asked her why she falsely documented something with my initials. First she acted like she didn't know what I was talking about. Then when I sent the patients MRN #, date and details........I was called into her office and summoned to a verbal three way meeting with her manager. 

she never explained to me why she put my initials. she tried to first justify her reasoning by telling me it was just a log for her to keep track of the procrit and  not a legal formal document  matters to state and wouldn't affect my license. So again I asked her then why didn't she put her own initials down on the log? why would she put my initials ? I never got an answer.....then her tone changed. she said your right Tanisha I wouldn't want anyone writing my initials down for something I didn't give regardless.

she never said it was a mistake.........never gave an explanation. I felt she did it initially but why? should I report her to the nursing board. I feel her manager didn't reprimand her? she's not fired.

 

[JKL33]

Sorry you are dealing with this.

It is hard to say why she falsified your initials, but there is no justifiable reason to have done it when she knew who did administer the injection. Even if you had been the one who forgot to initial the injection, someone else simply writing in your initials is not the appropriate way to note that it was you who administered it.

Credit to you for noticing it and addressing it.

One thing that you haven't mentioned: She needs to change the log. She needs to go back to that log and strike through your initials and write "error" and her initials. Bring the log to her and request that she change it. Don't give advanced notice. Bring it with you and say something like, "...Just as a follow-up to our discussion the other day, the log needs to be corrected." At the same time, hand it over. She will likely just do it reflexively, since not doing it would be so obviously suspicious. Then at least that part of it is taken care of.

As to the rest of it? This relationship may be over. How much do you like/need that job now that you have the other one? She is your superior and she is not trustworthy. She knows what she did was wrong and she knew it at the time. If it were a true mistake she would've corrected it immediately instead of calling you into a meeting with her manager.

[JKL33]

Editing a little bit: I was initially thinking there could be some pretty nefarious reasons she might do this, but it would be incredibly stupid to blame whatever it is on someone who wasn't there that day.

Sooo....here's a possible scenario:

She saw it wasn't signed and since you're the one usually there she figured you were the one who administered it and put your initials in (though that wasn't the correct way to handle it). Then at some later point she realized it was actually the float nurse so she talked to the float nurse about it and figured the float nurse would fix it.

It might not be AS suspicious as it seems at first glance. Especially if you weren't there on the day in question.

It sounds like she tried to offer a conciliatory statement/acknowledge your perspective at the meeting.

Get her to correct the log.

In the immediate future take note of whether she is sincere or additionally suspicious in order to inform your decision-making.

[Tanisha Hill, LVN]

Thank you so much for your advice and support because I felt horrible after this event. I really didn't know how to absorb what happened. Didn't and still trying to process because it all doesn't make since on her part.

My first instinct was that I was being set up , someone is trying to sabotage me or something.

I also reached out to a teacher who I admire. She also writes for the state boards and told me something doesn't seem right and o continue to keep my eye on her.

I was present at work on the day she put my initials but I didn't administer any injections that day. What I found odd is that she knew who gave it because two weeks prior she start implementing a new assigned injection schedule in which she created. I wasn't even assigned to give the injection that day.

I've only been at this company a little over three months. She is the only R.N in our office and I am the only LVN in the office. We have 3 M.A's who operate like nurses who are assigned to doctors just as I am. So with knowing that her and I are the only nurses in the building I've always been very diligent with making sure logs look good and are correct. Double checking consents etc. and this is how I came across the error. Just makes me wonder if this has happened before I came along.

The log has been taken to her and corrected. She was called into corporate so I know her bosses aren't taking this too lightly. Just makes me feel uneasy when I'm so new at a company. I love this job, I actually turned down a sign on bonus and two other jobs to take this one.

since the incident now she is constantly asking me is everything okay and trying to be my BFF. I have no malice intent I just want to be an awesome nurse and be surrounded by like wise people. I take pride in being honest and having integrity in my work. I pray we can move past this. I forgive but I will never forget. Keeps me on my toes !!!

[JKL33]

Good for you!

3 minutes ago, Tanisha Hill said:

I've only been at this company a little over three months. She is the only R.N in our office and I am the only LVN in the office. We have 3 M.A's who operate like nurses who are assigned to doctors just as I am. So with knowing that her and I are the only nurses in the building I've always been very diligent with making sure logs look good and are correct.

That is awesome. It sounds like you're doing a great job.

4 minutes ago, Tanisha Hill said:

since the incident now she is constantly asking me is everything okay and trying to be my BFF.

Well, that's kind of annoying but it probably indicates that she wants to mend fences. It probably also indicates some degree of actual regret for what happened.

5 minutes ago, Tanisha Hill said:

I have no malice intent I just want to be an awesome nurse and be surrounded by like wise people.

You could consider telling her this, actually. Respond with grace.

This could have gone lots of other ways and it didn't. I think she made a mistake for whatever reason (memory, ignorance, ethics, judgment, etc) and so far things suggest that she learned a lesson.

Great job. I hope things go well for you.

[Stillcare23]

First off, it IS falsifying medical records. Weather it be a mistake, honest or NOT. Bottom line. It is an error that can be proven with mailiousuud intent even if it is NOT. 
Similar, my boss was trying to “set” me up. New roll out lots of charting errors I made known to boss. Her explanation is “computer thing is a mess” they are “fixing it”. Well, I charted a Med early by 30 minutes said I am scared to death I will forget to chart also no no. 
next, Boss gets 1x order says solve the lronem for the early charting and chart next dsy. I told her we didn’t need to have a x 1  since I would error in chart correct time in comment on EMAR. Also short staffed 10 people asking things u name all of it was happening. Went to HR, never got back to me. Thursday evening 9 pm message in my phone come talk to me. Friday at noon, meet in HR we have some serious concerns that you falysified someone’s record. Proven wrong, nothing missing, or needed this Med per my assessment on top of having CNA refuse to input vital signs and never put in, hapoens Dailey under new horrible rushed snd not about later computer roll out no one is complete distend in their charting things being missed. Remeber I reported this. 
I was asked to resign or be fired. My boss lied out her ***, beenfheir fir a long time it is like a cult mob, so I am of 4 years seniority which is nothing their. Boss got all her “friends” to verbally say they heard me say I ha es Med early and that was that. I resigned scariest thing I have ever witnessed. Malicious, suspicious, not willing to educate, unavailable for questions on purpose at that time my boss pulled a fast one for her buddies to agree. All verbal never been warned nothing in chart excellent reviews. So Beleive me when I say this Watch out.  I did nothing wrong and got dragged through the ugly line of lateral violence and blame. Falsifying a chart is board reportable. My work thr wanted to report me. They can look into it they will see every single person on my unit has done the same it is a “culture” and the process is broken in this sick system. I would spend forever in court snd have no desire and hired an atorney snd have insurance ans always will now. I worked at a major hospital for 10 years with no room for questions regarding this, unchart error.  Not to scare anyone I am sure she made a mistake people are human. If u are wise watch your back now. Maybe she didn’t realize it is a big deal bud hopefully she does now Becuse I certainly learned my lesson snd I didn’t even flashy another persons name I am entirely traumatized and literally getting out of healthcare for a while Becuse it I just resigned. They can still screw you in that too, say u were fired. A mess. Be careful sometimes honest people are the ones who go down in flames. 

[Stillcare23]

2 hours ago, Stillcare23 said:

 

 

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

On 9/1/2021 at 7:58 AM, Tanisha Hill said:

Thank you so much for your advice and support because I felt horrible after this event. I really didn't know how to absorb what happened. Didn't and still trying to process because it all doesn't make since on her part.

My first instinct was that I was being set up , someone is trying to sabotage me or something.

I also reached out to a teacher who I admire. She also writes for the state boards and told me something doesn't seem right and o continue to keep my eye on her.

I was present at work on the day she put my initials but I didn't administer any injections that day. What I found odd is that she knew who gave it because two weeks prior she start implementing a new assigned injection schedule in which she created. I wasn't even assigned to give the injection that day.

I've only been at this company a little over three months. She is the only R.N in our office and I am the only LVN in the office. We have 3 M.A's who operate like nurses who are assigned to doctors just as I am. So with knowing that her and I are the only nurses in the building I've always been very diligent with making sure logs look good and are correct. Double checking consents etc. and this is how I came across the error. Just makes me wonder if this has happened before I came along.

The log has been taken to her and corrected. She was called into corporate so I know her bosses aren't taking this too lightly. Just makes me feel uneasy when I'm so new at a company. I love this job, I actually turned down a sign on bonus and two other jobs to take this one.

since the incident now she is constantly asking me is everything okay and trying to be my BFF. I have no malice intent I just want to be an awesome nurse and be surrounded by like wise people. I take pride in being honest and having integrity in my work. I pray we can move past this. I forgive but I will never forget. Keeps me on my toes !

 

 

 

 Your initial question to her was actually addressed to ALL of them. The 3-way meeting was probably to make sure there was no retaliation against you, considering the legalities that are involved. Keep your eyes open for an employee ‘guide to reporting ethical concerns’ type email. Trust me, it’s coming and will be addressed to the entire clinic as soon as HR has time to get it together...if they haven’t already.

Your manager was wrong, end of story. Should any type of incident happen in the future, though, utilize the chain of command, notifying the appropriate individuals one at a time instead of all at once. You basically said, hey y’all, look what she did!?? Kudos for nipping it in the bud, though.? Just be sure to follow policies and established guidelines for reporting concerns, if you really want to drive home your professionalism.

 

 

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

On 11/13/2021 at 10:47 PM, NotMyProblem MSN said:

Should any type of incident happen in the future, though, utilize the chain of command, notifying the appropriate individuals one at a time instead of all at once.

This is a very important point. Following the chain of command doesn't include simultaneously notifying everyone above your supervisor. I have found it beyond annoying to have to explain a situation to my supervisor, who has been dragged into a problem that I haven't yet had the opportunity to address because I found out at the same time.