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Discussion

MAR error

I've been a nurse for ten years and I recently was terminated by my employer for a documentation/med error. I signed out all my meds for the entire shift. I was multi-tasking and I wasn't paying attention.

I discovered the mistake but not until afterwards.

I had to take my client to a md appt and if I corrected the mistakes we would have missed the appointment. So, I did mention to the CNA that I did make the mistake and I told her I would correct upon our return. It's a group home and I was the only nurse.

I didn't think it was that big of a deal as long as I fixed the mistake. Off we left to the md appt. Once we returned to the facility, I discovered that my supervisor stopped by and notified management. I was terminated after the investigation.

The CNA did write a note in my behalf stating that I did say I would correct the mistakes when I returned. The employer of the company reported me to the state board of nursing.

I'm freaking out and I don't know what to do. This is my first complaint and the first time I've ever been terminated. I don't know if I should take a lie detector test and submit findings to the board?

Should I obtain a lawyer?

I'm sick about this and I'm worried.

Any advise is much appreciated. I do not have any other complaints with the board and I live in Colorado.

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    • Expert

    First, I'm surprised you would want a response from a bunch of Nurses who are on break, paulsab. I'd think that the Yellow Pages' General Discussion would be more appropriate.

    But, hey, nevertheless, you're here in the Breakroom, so let's discuss your concern:

    I've had quite a Bit of Experience Getting Terminated, so I can empathize with Your Plight. I would suggest that you Objectly Document the Entire Scenerio. Then, apply for Unemployment Benefits. An Adjudicator will review the case and make a determination on whether The Termination was within the realms of Appropriate Actions by Your Previous Employer. The Adjudicator will review Your Job Performance Record, the Severity of the Incident, and the Actions of Your Previous Employer. If The Action of Your Previous Employer is found to be Inappropriate, you will recieve Unemployment Benefits. Aside from the Monetary Gain, this could be a Useful Tool for you, should another Governing Agency Question Your Actions.

    Since Your Post was Appropriately Vague in this Circumstance, I have No Idea of the Severity of the Incident. For example, did the Patient's Status Change for the worse as a result of Your Action or Inaction? Was the The Process dealt with by Your Previous Employer according to Policy and Procedure?

    Feel Free to discuss Your Situation on This Forum, or PM me, if you wish.

    Whatever happens, I wish The Best for you, paulsab.

    Dave

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    • Expert

    Davey Do.........There are those, including myself, who are still unable to access the "allnurses side", AKA the yellow side, of the website. Since this is a new member I am going to assume that this new member cannot access, nor register, anywhere but here.

    OP, Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community! We are going through upgrades at present and someone will probably move this to the "yellow" side when the site is up and fully functional.

    I am sorry you are going through this......it is sometimes difficult to give advice without knowing all of the details. Details that while you are "under investigation" I am sure you would like to keep off of a public website.

    The best advice I can give is if you have malpractice insurance.....notify them immediately! My other advice is DO NOT go in front of the board without legal representation!

    I wish you the best!

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    • Expert

    Thanks for the info Esme.

    And this advice needs to be seconded:

    The best advice I can give is if you have malpractice insurance!

    This is such Good Advice, I wish I would have given it!

    Yes, paulsab, when there was a Gross Misjustice with Medication Ordering at a Previous Place of Employment, I contacted My Nursing Malpractice Insurance and they put me in touch with a JD who was also an RN. She guided me through the process to an Outcome that was not "Happily ever after", but I came through the Debacle Relatively Unscaved.

    Good call, Esme!

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    • Expert

    Let me see if I can move to the yellow side.

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    I've never been through that but I would get a lawyer immediately. Defending your license should be your highest priority. Good luck.

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    They're going after your license on a MAR error?

    I don't know the severity of the circumstances, but it seems pretty extreme if you accidentally initialed a colace administration for the next shift or something similar.

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    "Reporting to the board" may not automatically translate to "going after your license." I'm guessing the worst you'll get, if no one was harmed and no one didn't get their meds or get them doubled, is a caution. But still. Call your malpractice insurer, get your lawyer from them, and do what s/he tells you to do.:twocents:

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    From a newly licensed RN without a job, when should I get one? And from where do I get one? Should I wait until I get a job, or is this something I can start getting from now?

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    Nurses make mistakes all day everyday with the amount of work they ask of us. You didn't cover your tracks and got caught and fired. Same thing happened to me. Nurses not only have to do more than is physically possible, they have to live in fear of being fired for any little thing. I got 2 hours training as a brand new graduate and was assigned 24 patients in a dementia wing. In the sixth week, I missed a med twice because someone had "improvised" a MAR and I was unfamiliar. Even though I was fired, I refused to sign anything and admitted nothing. And that was the end of my nursing career which was my decision. To work for $23 an hour, do heavy physical labor, be responsible for everything and have patient bosses, patient family bosses, administrator bosses, doctor bosses, charge nurse bosses and JACO bosses, I decided it wasn't worth it and hung up my stethescope. Bye bye..........

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    OP I would get a lawyer ASAP! I had an incident at work and the board wanted me to plea to negligence and pay a fine and take some classes. I was NOT negligent and refused to admit to that. I got a lawyer. He advised me that sometimes the board pushes when they have little ground to stand on and if you push back they back off. My lawyer contacted them and even offered them that I would plea to improper documentation and pay the fine and take the classes if that's what they wanted but I would not plea to negligence. They dropped everything after hearing from my lawyer. So I would at least talk to a lawyer and see what they say.

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    I'd look into a lawyer for sure..it was a bit harsh for them to contact the BON! Definitely apply for Unemployment. Just because you were fired doesn't mean you don't qualify!

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    I've been a nurse for ten years and I recently was terminated by my employer for a documentation/med error. I signed out all my meds for the entire shift. I was multi-tasking and I wasn't paying attention. I discovered the mistake but not until afterwards. I had to take my client to a md appt and if I corrected the mistakes we would have missed the appointement. So, I did mention to the CNA that I did make the mistake and I told her I would correct upon our return. It's a group home and I was the only nurse. I didn't think it was that big of a deal s long as I fixed the mistake. Off we left to the md appt. Once we returned to the facility, I discovered that my supervisor stopped by and notified management. I was terminated after the investigation. The CNA did write a note in my behalf stating that I did say I would correct the mistakes when I returned. The employer of the company reported me to the state board of nursing. I'm freaking out and I don't know what to do. This is my first complaint and the first time I've ever been terminated. I don't know if I should take a lie detector test and submit findings to the board? Should I obtain a lawyer? I'm sick about this and I'm worried. Any advise is much appreciated. I do not have any other complaints with the board and I live in Colorado.

    BBM- If you admitted the error, why the lie detector test? Are they saying that you are not being truthful about the incident? If it were me, I would avoid a polygraph unless they were investigating me for a criminal offense. Either way, I would definitely retain a lawyer and try to find one that specializes in medical issues, particularly, one with experience in dealing with the BON in your state. A good attorney with experience should be able to advise you on exactly how you should handle this. Good luck.

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