I posted this on another thread that wasn't really correct...I hope I can get some feedback from this thread. I've been an RN for22 years, and until now have never violated the rule of altering a document by "writing over" existing writing. Well, I did it this week...I'm aghast and shocked that to do such a thing would ever cross my mind!! It was on 2 injections that I gave over the past 2 months (1 every 4 weeks). I saw that I had written I had given half of the dose ordered by the Dr., and without thinking I wrote over my own handwriting to reflect the full dose. The next day I was terminated for doing this. Some background; I hated the job I was at, and was overwhelmed and unsupported by anyone I worked with. Anything I did was never enough, and never correct in their eyes. I had a total hysterectomy this past April and went back to work in June. I went thru instant menopause with the surgery, and am not able to use HRT. I realized that my thoughts and emotions weren't like they used to be, and the daily anxiety of simply going to work put me into a near panic. No harm came to the patient, but I was clearly wrong in what I did. I can't even explain why in the world I would do such a thing. Please give me feedback on the possible repurcussions of this action. My husband told me he was glad I was out of that place, but I'm worried sick about my license. I've never done anything like this before!! Please help me assess what I need to do. Thanks in advance.
This is a very insightful post. I was indeed being bullied in the most subtle and underhanded manner. There was a definite lack of respect for nursing in general, and me in particular. I worked with 4 social workers, all much younger than me. They used humor in a demeaning way, directed at anyone they looked down on.The supervisor too was 30 years old, and all of them acted like a bunch of high-school kids. It was a very unprofessional atmosphere. By the way. When I was interviewed for the job, what they told me I would be doing and what I actually wound up doing was two different things. I would never had taken the job if they had told me the real-deal!! I do think I was having panic attacks...chest pain, SOB, diaphoresis, dizziness..it was awful. Thanks for your insight.
Been there done that bought the T-shirt and the hat!! In fact I bought the whole wardrobe on more than one occasion!!:) This is why I can recognise it. Now repeat after me. I am a good person!:kiss
They have stolen your self confidence at a time when you were vulnerable. Look up workplace bullying on the net there are plenty of sites. unfortunately the best - nurseadvocate has closed but there are still a lot of resources out there. Luck!!
You've got me laughing...something I haven't done in the past week!! Yes, I am a good person who did a dumb thing. I don't know if I had mentioned it at first, but at the time I did the mistake, I had just moved into a new house (literally 3 days prior), had my cat of 9 years run away(and still isn't found), and find out a niece was in the hospital!!
I was definitely stressed. When I had asked for a few days off because of the move, I was denied them...but another person who worked there just took time off to look up a choreographer for someone!! It actually feels so good to not be there any more! Just wish I had left before I had a "meltdown".
I would suggest that the expense of talking to an attorney for an hour or two might be worth it for your piece of mind. I would write down a summary of the incident, and a list of questions before the meeting. You could print out the advice given here and ask his/her opinion on it. Take notes. If you did choose to meet with a lawyer, I would also ask whether they felt meeting with a psychiatrist would be helpful legally (perhaps you may have more protection from the board of nursing if you are officially diagnosed with depression or something), or if it might even be harmful. In the meantime, you might want to call some psychologists and psychiatrists in your area for an appointment, as it may take several weeks before anyone can see you. If it proves to be helpful personally or professionally, keep the appointment. If it turns out to be a bad idea, or even if you just change your mind, just cancel the appointment with several days notice so you are not charged.
so the people who interviewed u could be one reason , the people at work another reason, the new house, the cat, the niece in hospital,(whom I hope is better), and the people who wouldent give u time off. Am I the only person who thinks all is not right here. You are really getting yourself uptight here. Stop blaming everything and everyone. Your right you made a simple and stupid mistake like we all have in our time. Relax, its not the end of the world. You'll get your knuckles rapped and then move on.
gwenith, BSN, RN
3,755 Posts
Been there done that bought the T-shirt and the hat!! In fact I bought the whole wardrobe on more than one occasion!!:) This is why I can recognise it. Now repeat after me. I am a good person!:kiss
They have stolen your self confidence at a time when you were vulnerable. Look up workplace bullying on the net there are plenty of sites. unfortunately the best - nurseadvocate has closed but there are still a lot of resources out there. Luck!!