New Rn Fired For Bgl Issues

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i had problems with bgm during my shift. i recalibrated a couple of times to verify accuracy & changed batteries (which resulted in loss of recorded bgls). one particular pt. who bottoms out & has extremes of hyper/hypoglycemia consistently had a fall after a change from a private room to a semiprivate room without injury & occuring several hours after my shift. however, during falls assessment of vs, his bgl was 55; an ir was done, md notified, etc. however, on call was on duty and questioned why i gave 20u novolog/rather than 10u to the resident @hs. my handwriting was misinterpreted by oncoming lpn as 400 but i wrote 408 on mar (but i was accused of lying as a result-and bgm #s did not match 400 or 408 either due to bgm calibration issues; and i was subsequently fired for a med documentation error because state was in house and my 408 could not be verified against bgm. i have been a sterling rn til now & would take a lie detector test to affect that i gave appropriate insulin per bgl result. i'm devastated!! threats of being reported to state to boot! how do i salvage my new career & stellar reputation? i gained monumentous experience in last 3 months, how can i claim now without looking incompetent. am i doomed before i ever get started?

:banghead:

did your nsg notes indicate the bs was 408?

leslie

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Specializes in GERIATRICS/CHRONIC ILLNESS.

Perhaps it is naive thinking on my part.. but I was never taught to document calibration of BGM or other foulable equipment on worksite or during nursing school. I am very literal person when performing actions as taught; and I was only taught to calibrate and teach others how to use a BGM during BSN training; and when all else failed I was told to READ!! Kind of hard w/ no hard copy or access to pc on duty; and your supposed hierarchy turns off their ****** pagers and leaves you to sink or swim!! PERIOD! Granted, I learn best under pressure, but a little supportive coaching or direction is appreciated and gives me a clue if I am RIGHT OR WRONG!! DUH!!

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Specializes in LTC.

I was taught to ALWAYS chart high/low bgl's, what intervention was used, and the outcome. Our instructors hammered home the message, "Chart to save your OWN a**".

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Specializes in GERIATRICS/CHRONIC ILLNESS.

i have started seeking new employment with much understanding and forgiveness & potentially a new job offer in works I hope... and I was utterly honest about situation which when interviewed first time since incident occured and person seemed sensitive to my plight.... However, since that interview I have not heard back from facility as hinted I would, and I have since received a notice from state that my actions are being pursued as caregiver misconduct and that I will be screened for disciplinary action by my board of nursing. BEYOND DEVASTATED NOW!! CRUSHED!!! I don't know how to pursue this without an attorney and I feel utterly SICK that my character is in question. I've only been a RN for 3 months, I don't feel I was GROSSLY wrong for being human and I certainly didn't harm anyone. More to follow.. Wish me luck!!

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Specializes in GERIATRICS/CHRONIC ILLNESS.

I will reply when outcome is clear but right now, I am compelled to hand over my license as my reputation and my family mean more to me than a nursing license. I would nurse for free for the rest of my days and is all I ever wanted to do except that liability is an issue. I use to offer my services to agencies, hospitals and people but was told I had to be paid for my services because of the liability. If I had my way (and were single) I'd be nursing abroad which has always been a deep rooted dream for me.. but it seems I may be well doomed before I even learn the legal/ethical ropes... Wish me luck!!

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

I'd suggest getting a lawyer. You need one who knows how to deal with the state board of nursing and those issues.

In one post, you stated that you have been notified that you are going to be investigated by your state board of nursing. In the next, you say that you are compelled to hand over your license.

That does not make sense to me.

Are you saying that you are going to voluntarily surrender your license rather than be investigated by the BON? Why would you do that, unless you are certain that the BON is going to find you guilty of some sort of misconduct?

Do you understand that any licensed nurse on this board could have a complaint made against him or her at any time and could be investigated? All it really takes is someone with the desire to make your life miserable. The possibility of being investigated for something will be with you as long as you have the license. There is nothing you can do to totally alleviate that possibility.

Certainly, I would not give up my license until and unless compelled!!

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I am going through the same thing. They fired me for not hanging an IV bag. No other discipline issues before this. They just wanted to get rid of a 50 yr old RN (Me) for 3 LPN's in 20's/30's making less money then I was. So glad they stand by their nurses. Yes it was LTC (very unprofessional place) the nurses that are still there are the fools. I feel it more of honor "not" to be there. But I still have to deal with the aftermath. The big "T" (temination) on my applications. Looks really good... how do you explain without badmouthing the place. Its such a sticky situation. I have spent hours writing about the situation. The first place I wanted to work asks on ap. Were you ever terminated?et. please explain on another sheet of paper. Needless to say Im procrastinating because Im afraid of being rejected from the jobs I really want to get. Makes me so mad. And this was my first nursing job. My husband told me not to go in to nursing...do something fun. I guess I should have stuck with hotel management or better yet maybe a nun?? :saint:

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Specializes in GERIATRICS/CHRONIC ILLNESS.

I feel the exact same way.. I too am procrastinating... now I know how a ex-con or disabled person feels when they desperately want to work and will be judged on pass offenses/disabilities which may or may not impede work expectations.

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Specializes in GERIATRICS/CHRONIC ILLNESS.

documentation is a weak point for me as I learned on an electronic system, so when it came to hand documentation, I struggle. I am actually going to take a seminar soon on nursing documentation strategies as it has been a thorn in my side as a new RN. I obviously need it:smackingf

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Specializes in nearly all.

I work in a facility where this type of "decision-making" was done in the past, and you were indeed used as a scapegoat. I don't think you need to worry about the state. They will draw their own conclusions...they aren't stupid, just can't fix everything. Do keep your own documentation but make sure you don't violate HIPAA! This could come back to bite you in the butt later. In terms of how you refer to why you left this job, it's always best to say the least possible and, as the other poster said, refuse to "badmouth" another employer...in this biz, everyone seems to know each other! Good luck in finding a much better situation.:icon_hug:

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Specializes in A little of this & a little of that.

Do NOT "hand over" your license because you are being investigated. Get an attorney if you can afford it. Either way, find anyone who can vouch for your character and competence. BON's know people, especially new grads, make mistakes. Ultimately, no harm came to the patient. This is in your favor. Not sure what state you're in. Our BON posts minutes online and many investigations are not pursued once all the info is presented. Even when nurses are disciplined it is often a warning. Rarely are licenses permanently revoked even for those who steal narcs. If you surrender your license it may be difficult or impossible to get back. You would be giving up your livelihood for life. Get legal advice. Since you are a new grad your former professors would probably give you good guidance. Don't give up. Also, BTW, every LTC I ever worked in kept a log of when glucometers were calibrated and controls done. If I have any reason to doubt a reading, I get a different machine and recheck it. GOOD LUCK. HANG IN THERE! :saint:

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Specializes in A little of this & a little of that.

One more thing - it is generally not recommended to give regular or rapid acting insulins at bedtime anymore. The facility may still have problems with the state in regards to the order that was in place to begin with. Patients who run that high usually get a higher dose of their basal insulin to avoid all those ups and downs from giving the Novolog so much. Novolog and Humalog should only be given just prior to, during or just after a meal. The action is rapid and short. It sounds as though the insulin orders are inappropriate and that is the real problem with the patient's unstable sugars. An FYI - but also research this before your hearing. Either 10 or 20 units of Novolog is a lot especially when patient will presumably be fasting overnight.

Most Family Practitioners and Internists are not up to date on proper management of diabetes and do not understand how to use the newer insulins such as Lantus and Novolog. I find many MD's don't even know the difference between Novolin and Novolog!

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