Nursing student lied about me to my manager, and I cannot prove it.

[Tortoiseshell]

I will try to make this short.

I am an RN and have been working in a hospital med-surg unit for 4 years.

Recently one of our nurses was precepting an RN student who is about to graduate. I was getting report from the student 2 times, and each time the student was handing me a chart with new orders saying she didnt have the time to look at them. She also did not follow the post-sedation protocol and did not do post-op vitals of a friesh post-surgical patient. She left a patient on the bedpan, and when a CNA and I went to change the patient, she had imprints on her skin from being on the bedpan for too long. Because it happened more than once, I said to her "This is something you need to know when you give the report". I understand that she probably did not like to hear that. However I felt that I addressed it in a neutral way, and did not go over board.

Apparently the nurse who was precepting the student went to talk to the manager. I dont know what exactly she said to her.

The manager called me at home and said she is conducting an "investigation" about my interaction with the student. I couldnt make sense how could me saying a single sentence "This is something you need to know when you give report" could warrant an investigation. Considering the big picture that as nurses we daily take care of critically ill patients, sometimes have to make critical decisions when faced with life and death situations, communicating with patients families during difficult situations, doctors, constantly changing policies etc. Every nurse who is working is such setting knows what I am talking about.

I met with the manager. When she started reading to me the statements of the student and that nurse, my jaw dropped. Apparently the student told my manager that I was so "angry, raising the voice, tapping on the chart with my pen, and then said to her "You are never going to make it as a nurse". This was the most horrible lie I've heard in my whole life. Especially because it came from a person who is about to become an RN.

I've always thought highly of nurses. This whole situation is totally unbelievable to me.

Our union representative said to me "People will say anything to divert the attention".

The manager is not willing to give me a benefit of the doubt. I said to her that I've been working for this organization for 4 years, and why is she giving more credibility to the student than me? I said I would like the student to be present at the meeting and I would like to see her repeating her statements to my face. The manager raised her voice at me and said "Lets not even go there". I dont see a way to prove to her that I never said those things.

It really bothers me that the student is probably feeling happy that she lied so shamelesly and got away with it so easily, and I am the one being punished.

I also started realizing that I am deeply disturbed by the way the manager talks to me such as showing her frustration and raising her voice at me. I feel that for the hard work that I do just as my colleges nurses I deserve better than that. Sure, I could have not said anything to the student, and there are number of ways to address the same situation, however I feel that this is a harsh punishment. What about thousands of things that I've done right, when I went above and beyond my duty, when I work without breaks and stay overtime unpaid, and never hear a word about that from the manager, but do one thing wrong, and will be immediately punished and treated as I am not a good person and a nurse.

I am looking to apply to a different unit. I dont want to work under somebody who treats me like crap.

[RNdynamic]

Recently one of our nurses was precepting an RN student who is about to graduate. I was getting report from the student 2 times, and each time the student was handing me a chart with new orders saying she didnt have the time to look at them. She also did not follow the post-sedation protocol and did not do post-op vitals of a friesh post-surgical patient. She left a patient on the bedpan, and when a CNA and I went to change the patient, she had imprints on her skin from being on the bedpan for too long. Because it happened more than once, I said to her "This is something you need to know when you give the report". I understand that she probably did not like to hear that. However I felt that I addressed it in a neutral way, and did not go over board.

Your statement was rude and condescending. How would you like it one of your coworkers said that to you? You should have phrased it as so: "I have found that it is always a good idea to check the orders prior to shift change so you can give a more complete report to the next nurse." Telling someone they "need" to do something is not okay. You are not her boss. The manager is her boss -- and yours as well. Also, if new orders come in at the very end of my shift, I probably won't acknowledge them either. I have other responsibilities at that time.

Learn from this.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

It is not fun being lied on. If there are no witnesses then it is your word against hers. I think all three people involved should take accountablity for their actions. Start with yourself first. How was your tone? Could you have said what you said differently? It is not what you say but how you say it.

You were right in correcting the student, I would have talked to the student's preceptor as well so everyone is on the same page. The student need to be held accountable for her actions as well. If she is overwhelmed or needed help she should ask. Leaving a patient on a bedpan is unexceptable.

The preceptor should have been there with the student and once again should have been in on the converstation between you in the student.

I think it is a great idea to arrange a mediation between the three of you, not sure why your manager is against this.

[LoveNeverDies]

OP I am a student nurse. I do not think that you were rude at all. Perhaps you could have phrased it a little more tactfully (some people are sensitive). However, I have had MANY worse and ruder things said to me by some of the RNs. Next time this happens just mention to the preceptor that this is a weakness for the student and it is a consistent issue. That is how the nicer RNs tell our clinical instructors when we make mistakes. It might make the person more comfortable being addressed by someone she sees in an instructor roll. I am very sorry that you have to deal with this, and I hope that you get that transfer.

[RNdynamic]

OP I am a student nurse. I do not think that you were rude at all. Perhaps you could have phrased it a little more tactfully (some people are sensitive). However, I have had MANY worse and ruder things said to me by some of the RNs. Next time this happens just mention to the preceptor that this is a weakness for the student and it is a consistent issue. That is how the nicer RNs tell our clinical instructors when we make mistakes. It might make the person more comfortable being addressed by someone she sees in an instructor roll. I am very sorry that you have to deal with this, and I hope that you get that transfer.

I would feel sorry if the OP did not bring this on herself. I hope in the future she will be more respectful when speaking to her colleagues.

[Twinmom06, ASN, APN]

First of all the nursing student ISN'T a colleague...she's learning from an established nurse...I certainly cannot believe that you guys are blaming the OP because of her "tone of voice"...what if the pt that the student didn't get off the bedpan winds up with a pressure ulcer that the hospital will not NOT get paid for because of Medicare reimbursement? Our instructors wouldn't stand for that - nor would they stand for a student to go running to the NM like a little toady...

That student should be ashamed of herself, as should the instructor...we are taught from the beginning of nursing school that we are guests in the hospitals, because they don't have to let us be there....

[nursel56]

I would feel sorry if the OP did not bring this on herself. I hope in the future she will be more respectful when speaking to her colleagues.

If the OP has any fault at all in the interaction, it should stand up on it's own merits. Reasonable people don't make things up when they genuinely feel wronged. Anyone who would falsely accuse another of misconduct with the intention of bringing negative consequences beyond what actually happened doesn't belong in nursing at all.

[redhead_NURSE98!, ADN, BSN]

Your statement was rude and condescending. How would you like it one of your coworkers said that to you? You should have phrased it as so: "I have found that it is always a good idea to check the orders prior to shift change so you can give a more complete report to the next nurse." Telling someone they "need" to do something is not okay. You are not her boss. The manager is her boss -- and yours as well. Also, if new orders come in at the very end of my shift, I probably won't acknowledge them either. I have other responsibilities at that time.

Learn from this.

I'd rather have someone tell me "This is something you need to know when you give the report" than to run to my instructor or the floor manager. Personally I think she exaggerated the situation to the manager just in case she got written up by OP.

[redhead_NURSE98!, ADN, BSN]

First of all the nursing student ISN'T a colleague...she's learning from an established nurse...I certainly cannot believe that you guys are blaming the OP because of her "tone of voice"...

Seriously, especially when it's a complete assumption. "This is something you need to know when you give the report" is neither rude nor condescending. It is a factual statement. Too bad the student doesn't wish to learn anything. If I have to suffer through receiving report from a student (and later have to look up everything to make sure they were correct and didn't leave anything out, god bless them, I was a student doing this to people not very long ago) I have every right to offer constructive criticism on the report. 20 bucks says the student was "student aged." I think most find that Gen Y's don't understand or accept constructive criticism. They want everyone to tell them how wonderful they are.

[ShyeoftheTiger]

I don't think that student nurse is going to make it very far with that set of morals. It's too bad you didn't tell her she'll never make it as a nurse. It probably would have felt better than to have her lie about it.

[RNdynamic]

First of all the nursing student ISN'T a colleague...she's learning from an established nurse...I certainly cannot believe that you guys are blaming the OP because of her "tone of voice"...what if the pt that the student didn't get off the bedpan winds up with a pressure ulcer that the hospital will not NOT get paid for because of Medicare reimbursement? Our instructors wouldn't stand for that - nor would they stand for a student to go running to the NM like a little toady...

That student should be ashamed of herself, as should the instructor...we are taught from the beginning of nursing school that we are guests in the hospitals, because they don't have to let us be there....

I misread it as the student being a hired new grad. However, I still believe the OP is in the wrong. For one thing, she is not a member of this student's nursing program. She has no business lecturing this student. Rather, she should bring up the subject in an educational, constructive way. Furthermore, the student's report is not supposed to substitute for the prior RN's report. Students usually know much less about the patient than their primary RN does. As well, the OP does not possess ownership of the hospital and should rightly have no say in who gets to come to the floor. The school and hospital have an agreement and the student has as much a right to be there as the RN.

Lastly, the student is a person too and is deserving of the same amount of respect as anybody else. If the OP wouldn't say that to a senior staff member, she shouldn't be saying it to a student or new grad. If its wrong in one situation, then it's wrong in all situations.

[ShyeoftheTiger]

I misread it as the student being a hired new grad. However, I still believe the OP is in the wrong. For one thing, she is not a member of this student's nursing program. She has no business lecturing this student. Rather, she should bring up the subject in an educational, constructive way. Furthermore, the student's report is not supposed to substitute for the prior RN's report. Students usually know much less about the patient than their primary RN does. As well, the OP does not possess ownership of the hospital and should rightly have no say in who gets to come to the floor. The school and hospital have an agreement and the student has as much a right to be there as the RN.

Lastly, the student is a person too and is deserving of the same amount of respect as anybody else. If the OP wouldn't say that to a senior staff member, she shouldn't be saying it to a student or new grad. If its wrong in one situation, then it's wrong in all situations.

I like how on one topic, you're arguing for equal respect for all, but in the next, respect needs to be earned... Make up your mind!

[Jenni811, RN]

I misread it as the student being a hired new grad. However, I still believe the OP is in the wrong. For one thing, she is not a member of this student's nursing program. She has no business lecturing this student. Rather, she should bring up the subject in an educational, constructive way. Furthermore, the student's report is not supposed to substitute for the prior RN's report. Students usually know much less about the patient than their primary RN does. As well, the OP does not possess ownership of the hospital and should rightly have no say in who gets to come to the floor. The school and hospital have an agreement and the student has as much a right to be there as the RN.

Lastly, the student is a person too and is deserving of the same amount of respect as anybody else. If the OP wouldn't say that to a senior staff member, she shouldn't be saying it to a student or new grad. If its wrong in one situation, then it's wrong in all situations.

Just an fyi...I agree. I've been having my head bit off lately. But I never get report from student UNLESS their preceptor is with them. I always ask if everything was discussed/missed. Not really OP business in lecturing student. Should have gone to her preceptor.