Mgr brings up events on previous shifts-feeling blindsided

[GraceNotes]

My manager is busy with little time to touch base with staff, except to pass on administration's directives. The few times I've had her undivided attention (new nurse, going on five months) she brings up a deficiency--something that happened maybe 6 shifts ago. I feel blindsided & unable to defend myself because I can't specifically recall the events of the day. My management skills are improving, my task lists are growing shorter & I'm more proactive/productive. Just wondering, do you all save your pt assignment sheets forever??? I have been throwing them in the shred box after documentation is done, but maybe should save them to cover myself--thoughts?

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[Freedom42]

I destroy my notes at the end of every shift. The last thing I want is to be subpoenaed and have someone ask me to interpret notes I wrote months or years ago -- or worse, have a lawyer attempt to misinterpret them. I document everything in the computer with the idea that it is equivalent to testimony. There can be one record and one record only.

To the OP: How about asking the manager who blindsides you if you can have a little time to look at the record so that you can be sure of what happens, then set a time when you will meet again? You can frame it as simply, "We have so many patients here, I just want to be sure that I can answer your questions accurately." If it's a serious issue, I can't imagine the manager will object. If it's not a serious issue but only a minor newbie deficiency, I'd think she would say so at that point.