medical documentation issue

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2003

We all have hard lessons to learn in life.

Is there any way to ask your employer if you've been reported to the board?Of course this may plant the idea in their head. Or can you look up on the internet to see if there is anything disciplinary pending on your license. They probably just terminated you for violating a policy by writing over your handwriting and not following procedure.

Best wishes and may this be a stepping stone to a better future.

I would put it behind me and move on. The board of nursing isn't involved in every termination of every nurse everywhere.

basha · Oct 5, 2003

This is indeed a hard lesson...one I will never repeat again. I know every nurse isn't reported to the board, but I worry because where I worked had only about 5 nurses! One one hand, I can't fault them if they DO report me...after all, it is the correct thing to do. My concern is the repercussions from a report. I do plan to discuss this with a lawyer, but I was wondering if anyone here has ever had to deal with a situation like this and could tell me what to expect. Both my physical state, and my mental state was impacting my behavior at the time I made my mistake. I need to be able to convey this reality without sounding like I'm making lame excuses or trying to "lay blame". My anxiety level is still thru the roof, so please excuse my lengthy posts in attempting to respond sensibly! Thanks, Barbara

Gldngrl · Oct 5, 2003

Basha-Check your pm's if you haven't already. MMB

basha · Oct 5, 2003

Hi. I don't know what a "pm " is....could you tell me? Thanks

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2003

Private messages. Start by clicking User cp at the top and go from there.

basha · Oct 5, 2003

Thanks for the info.

BarbPick · Oct 5, 2003

Basha

CALM Down!!!! You need to change your entire attitude and behavior in regard to this situation. I wear a few hats in Nursing and one is that of a Medical Legal Consultant.

First of all, the worst that can happen to you is being sent to a Legal Aspects of Nursing Course by your state Board. Period.

I am not humble about these opinions, I get paid to give them.

You must change your frantic reaction to all that has transpired in your life.

My deep gut feeling is this will not get to your State Board of Nursing. After saying that, the next that has to be addressed is your demeanor.

You need to find your game face. It is important to not come off as if you are judgmentally impaired.

Reread your post and take a deep breath.

Focus.

First, stop talking. You are too quick to convict yourself. People have no clue what Guilty and Not Guilty actually mean. These terms have noting to do with Innocence.

Not Guilty means I will not convict myself, you will have to prove your case against me.

Guilty means I will not or no longer participate in my own defense, I agree to convict myself.

What I read in your post is your employer saw their out, and chose to exercise what they considered their "right" to fire you. Sounds like they did you a favor. You hated the place.

I feel they will not call the Board because it opens them up for scrutiny. Best to sweep the problem under the rug.

Now... new employment. This will be much easier than you think. The most they would say to a potential new employer is you are not eligible for rehire. They can be sued by you for saying more. It is your choice to put them down as a reference or not. You can also say you left due to conflicts.

Just move on. You have 22 years of experience. Use them, and any friend you can for work related references, as well as personal.

I tell every nurse I speak with about their problems "Everything you need to know in life, you learned in Nursing 101." Guide your thoughts using the nursing process, and you will be successful. The next and last words of wisdom I share is how they taught me to testify in court. "Barbara [that's me) Do you know what time it is? My reply is not yes, it is 2:45 PM because that is not what they asked me.

The correct answer is Yes, I know what time it is..... Period. Never volunteer any information that is not directly asked of you.

Now sleep well and For God's sake, give yourself a break.

Barbara

gypsyatheart · Oct 5, 2003

I agree w/what Barb has said, I think you are being too hard on yourself. I do have a question, out of curiosity... So did you actually GIVE only 1/2 the ordered dose or did you just document incorrectly? Either way, I'm a little surprised that you got fired over this, perhaps it was just an excuse for the facility to use to terminate you...sure sounds like it.

If you only gave 1/2 the dose, an incident or med error report could have been generated by you, and the physician notified, I'm thinking at this point no harm has come to the pt and the MD could decide what, if any, adjustment to the med regimen was needed.

If you simply documented incorrectly, then I'm really surprised that you got terminated, true, that is not the CORRECT way to record the correct dose given, but it's certainly doesn't warrant termination, IMO. Perhaps counseling or even being "written up" for "improper documentation". You did not actually faslfy patient records if you were just correcting the original error.

Again, I think you ARE being very emotional, and ready to shoot yourself. Everyone makes mistakes, you need to realize thatyou have many, many yesrs of nursing to your credit, take a little while, compose yourself and move on to greener pastures! It never feels good to be terminated, but I'm sure something better awaits you! :)

Gldngrl · Oct 6, 2003

No one knows what the Board of Nursing would recommend in a case such as this because we do not have all the facts. If a future employer finds that the employee has been less than truthful on his application or during the interview and that includes non or less than full disclosure of the facts, that may impact her adversely. A lawyer is the person who would be best suited to review this situation and advise. To those who are nurses that act as legal consultants- please be careful when offering legal advice as this may constitute an unauthorized practice of law. MMB

sjoe · Oct 6, 2003

Barb gave excellent advice.

and

Catastrophizing is ALWAYS counter-productive.

wayover20 · Oct 6, 2003

RELAX!! I agree that it's unlikely they will report you. They risk opening up a can of worms. I was in a situation much worse than this, but I knew I was in the right. I recieved a notice from the state nursing board within 3 weeks of the alleged wrongdoing. I was told they were going to investigate the situation and determine if I had jeoparized patient care, and they would notify me if I had to appear before the board to answer for it. About 4 weeks later I recieved a notice that they determined I had not deviated from accepted standards of nursing practice and therefore the complaint was unfounded, the file "destroyed" (in their words, and not a part of my record.

If a patient had been harmed, I would worry. If not, I would suggest you relax, reflect on the 22yrs of great care you've given. Good Luck!