This happened to me and it was miserable. There was a shift where the count was off and, since I was the only patient with that med in the unit that day, they thought it was me. I never gave that medication that day, however, that hospital still uses the antiquated system of binder envelopes for their meds, so if someone else took it, it wouldn't be flagged by anyone for at least half a shift.
I DID NOT GIVE IT OR TAKE IT, yet they put me on warning and said that a charge nurse had to witness every controlled medication, even if I wasn't wasting it. In ICU that's not so fun. That was well and good for a couple weeks (annoying though, because many times I'd have to wait around until the charge nurse stopped talking about non-work stuff with other people), but then there was one shift where I had an intubated patient basically levitating out of bed and the doctor changing the gtts every hour or so, plus I'd just been in that room for 2 hours assisting with a temporary pacemaker insertion). I put every gtt that was wasted into specimen cups so I could close the lid and show it to whomever after they were done yakking to their buddies and I'd hoped that was enough.
I was later told that I was going to be let go because I didn't have someone there every moment to oversee my medications. Did I mention that the charge nurses are the only ones with keys to the narcotics cart? They'd hand me the key, then act like they were following me to the cart, but in a few cases (and especially on that day) they would stop to talk to someone and forget, so I'd have to show them after the fact.
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best, cause you never know what will happen with something like this.
I also worked with a nurse once (years ago) who had actually been caught taking/injecting narcotics at work/while on duty and she got disciplined twice for it before they let her go. In that case she'd actually DONE something. I was like you. I hadn't done anything and I didn't get the benefit of the doubt or was even asked to take a drug test, nothing (and I was on staff).
I hope this works out for you because it's no fun and very stressful. Good luck!
I'm sorry this was such a long post, but this happened 2 years ago and I'm still fired up about it and it pisses me off to think about it happening to someone else.
Gosh I am sorry. That sounds like an absolute nightmare. I can't imagine the stress you are going through, especially not knowing until this meeting what exactly you are being accused of. That is a horrible situation to be in and I really hope it works out well for you.
Even if it does work out Ok I would seriously consider looking for another job anyway as I really can't imagine being comfortable working for a place that is so quick to make accusations like this. I would always be nervous and looking over my shoulder wondering who is watching and just waiting for me to do something, anything wrong. It is not being paranoid if somebody really is out to get you.
Thank you all I appreciate the feedback. Sorry about how my posts appear. For some reason when posting on my phone it looks all over the place. I was questioned about a patient I gave pain meds during my shift. Manager was asking why the nurse I relieved did not give that patient any meds. I could not believe that was all they had to say I was pissed. They asked me to do a drug test which I did. I still can't work until further notice. I still have no idea where they are going with this. I also realized today that my manager does not like me. I had no idea .
Thank you all I appreciate the feedback. Sorry about how my posts appear. For some reason when posting on my phone it looks all over the place. I was questioned about a patient I gave pain meds during my shift. Manager was asking why the nurse I relieved did not give that patient any meds. I could not believe that was all they had to say I was pissed. They asked me to do a drug test which I did. I still can't work until further notice. I still have no idea where they are going with this. I also realized today that my manager does not like me. I had no idea .
That is really bizarre. They are investigating you for one event?
Did they let you ask any questions?
Is it possible they suspect the other nurse and had you do a drug test, so the other nurse couldn't try to deflect blame onto you?
What a nightmare! I am so sorry you are going through this.
It is bizarre. My co-workers are in disbelief. I believe they still suspect me of something. I was asked if
they investigate more of my patients would they find more. It was as if they were hoping for a
confession. All these years I have never been questioned about anything. This manager is up to something and I pray to God it works out so I can find another work place.
I did contact my attorney. We need to wait and see what becomes of this first and act on that. I am not in a union or under contract . We did start paperwork on harassment and I made HR aware of it. Really not sure what battle we are fighting here. My drug test will be clean so not sure what will come next.
I am in contact with my attorney daily and gives. Getting advice from other RNs on this forum helps and I really appreciate it.
It is bizarre. My co-workers are in disbelief. I believe they still suspect me of something. I was asked if
they investigate more of my patients would they find more. It was as if they were hoping for a
confession. All these years I have never been questioned about anything. This manager is up to something and I pray to God it works out so I can find another work place.
"if they investigate more of my patients would they find more." More of what? That you gave a patient a narcotic that was prescribed?
I'm glad you consulted a lawyer.
I hope you find another job quickly. What a terrible, stressful time you are going through. I'm so sorry.
Yes , that I gave my patient meds that were prescribed by the Dr as needed but the RN before did not.
I have been working there awhile and I am sure they might find another patient. When they asked to explain I simply said I can't speak about what the RN before me did and how the patient felt. I swear if someone else posted this was happening to them I would think it was a joke.
Yes , that I gave my patient meds that were prescribed by the Dr as needed but the RN before did not.
I have been working there awhile and I am sure they might find another patient. When they asked to explain I simply said I can't speak about what the RN before me did and how the patient felt. I swear if someone else posted this was happening to them I would think it was a joke.
I totally feel your pain...I hope your situation turned out better than mine. I didn't realize my boss was crazy until it was too late, then all-of-a-sudden, everyone had all these stories. Beyond infuriating.
Beyond infuriating.
Maevish, ASN, RN
396 Posts
This happened to me and it was miserable. There was a shift where the count was off and, since I was the only patient with that med in the unit that day, they thought it was me. I never gave that medication that day, however, that hospital still uses the antiquated system of binder envelopes for their meds, so if someone else took it, it wouldn't be flagged by anyone for at least half a shift.
I DID NOT GIVE IT OR TAKE IT, yet they put me on warning and said that a charge nurse had to witness every controlled medication, even if I wasn't wasting it. In ICU that's not so fun. That was well and good for a couple weeks (annoying though, because many times I'd have to wait around until the charge nurse stopped talking about non-work stuff with other people), but then there was one shift where I had an intubated patient basically levitating out of bed and the doctor changing the gtts every hour or so, plus I'd just been in that room for 2 hours assisting with a temporary pacemaker insertion). I put every gtt that was wasted into specimen cups so I could close the lid and show it to whomever after they were done yakking to their buddies and I'd hoped that was enough.
I was later told that I was going to be let go because I didn't have someone there every moment to oversee my medications. Did I mention that the charge nurses are the only ones with keys to the narcotics cart? They'd hand me the key, then act like they were following me to the cart, but in a few cases (and especially on that day) they would stop to talk to someone and forget, so I'd have to show them after the fact.
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best, cause you never know what will happen with something like this.
I also worked with a nurse once (years ago) who had actually been caught taking/injecting narcotics at work/while on duty and she got disciplined twice for it before they let her go. In that case she'd actually DONE something. I was like you. I hadn't done anything and I didn't get the benefit of the doubt or was even asked to take a drug test, nothing (and I was on staff).
I hope this works out for you because it's no fun and very stressful. Good luck!
I'm sorry this was such a long post, but this happened 2 years ago and I'm still fired up about it and it pisses me off to think about it happening to someone else.
xo