Please help me, I'm in trouble.

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello. I have been a nurse for about eight years. I have been employeed in a skilled rehab unit for about five years. This past weekend I made a serious med error. I gave a resident another residents medication. I administered oxycontin 20 Mg instead of the ordered oxycodone 10 '=: This was realized at change of shift. As soon as I realized the error I assessed the ot and contacted the doctor as well as told the nurse assuming care of this pt. I told my supervisor that I had made a med error and she said make sure you call the MD. I did not go into details as it wa already two hours past the end of my shift, and you do get written up for being late out. Not to mention that I had twice as many patients as I should have due to staffing problems. Later that same night the supervisor calls me for clarification. I did not fill out the proper paper work. More importantly I wrote in the drug manifest "Wasted" To adjust the count from the pt that I took the meds from. After I wrote that I thought well its not actually wasted so I documented beside my signature "Given to wrong patient" In a very small space. Well long story short a few days later my DON questioned me statng that I falsified the document, I was being terminated and reported to theboard. I am in complete shock.. she said it looked like a cover up. But remember I told the other nurse and called the doctor and no harm came to the patient...thank god. Now im out of a job, will face the board and I don't know how to get a job after being fired. Please please help me.

Oops I quoted the wrong msg...sorry

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Severalof u mentioned a program for nurses in need. Let me tell you this is just that. I am so blessed by the shocking number of supportive post here. What a person needs that is is trouble no matter what kind is a gentle kind and compassionate ear. It is also helpful to know that my mistake was not shocking nor unheard of. Initially I was questioning myself and my ability, but now I feel strong and confident. Its nice to know and comforting, that total strangers support me. Thank you all for so many things. I hope to be able to give back to others the same as you guys have given to me.

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Specializes in Med Surge, Tele, Oncology, Wound Care.

I have one 7 month old right now and let me tell you I don't know how you single mommies do it! I work full-time and complain about being tired, when I come home to a husband (who also works full-time) who switches days with me so we can do our own childcare.

Let me say I won't complain anymore.

Single mommies are strong amazing women for sure.

I am so sorry this has happened to you. It could have happened to me- I have made drug errors, I guess I am lucky that my employer has a non-punitive way of confessing. If we weren't worked like dogs things would be different.

My prayers go to you and your kids.

BTW- that is a sucky thing your husband did to you, by claiming them on his taxes! Sucky for sure!

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Specializes in LTC.

I would contribute too. Remember Shelly... All you need is faith of a mustard seed and mountains will move. God takes care all of his creations from insects to birds of the air so how more important are us ?

He will never put more on us than we can handle. Blessings are coming your way ! We are all praying for you !

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I am sorry to hear about this. It seems that likely you would have never made the mistake except because of being dumped on by the amount of pts. You were doing a good deed. But, you bite off more than you could chew. First of all you should have never been put into that position. Second of all (a little late to hellp) you should have never taken the extra patients. I am sorry it's too late to do it all over again. I don't know what will happen in your case. But, I feel your pain, and can only imagine the thoughts buzzing around in your mind. All I can say is to look up and pray. Walk in dignity,and remember you did the right thing. That ought to go a long way with the board. My prayers (already said them for you) are with you.

By the sounds of her management it sure seems like she'd be out a job if she refused the patient load as well.

In theory better to do that than to lose your license or God forbid cause someone harm. However easier said than done in this economy when you have bills to pay and kids to feed.

What she needs is a good lawyer skilled in these matters.

For that reason I always had malpractice insurace. Thank God I never needed it. But it was there if I did.

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WOW.. At least they are asking you to come back in. This may not be a done deal yet. You just need to play this very smartly. If you absolutely cannot afford an lawyer, I would demand a witness (of your choosing) and a tape recorder. They will be sure to have their people HR, NM, etc. You should have yours. Preferably someone that was working that night. Or even if its a stranger that looks like an attorney.

I would respond by email saying that since you have been threatened with board action over what you consider a very serious & false allegation you need to protect yourself.

You do not want to stall them too long or they will start building a case against in their own minds. Like someone has previously posted.. They may have just threatened a report to the board.. That really doesnt mean squat. You want an investigation!

In a situation like that, mark my words, you can't afford NOT to have a lawyer. Most lawyers will work out a payment plan with you. And ladies and gentlemen, if you don't have , for God's sakes get it stat. With many of those plans you GET legal protection for incidents like this which but for the Grace of God could be anyone.

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One other thing...I think she has read my post here...lol! Like the commercial says...kiss my bumber...lol

If she is, it could well be to collect evidence against you. You're not anonymous here, trust me. Please, for the love of Jesus, get a lawyer for your own protection who can advise you on these matters. I can't and I doubt anyone else can either.

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Shelly- next year have a tax account do your taxes. It's worth the money.I don't know where you are but my taxes cost $185.00 to prepare. I did not go to an H&R Block. I went to a personal tax accountant, recommended by another nurse. And I have gone to this young lady ever since. I have had this tax accountant do my taxes every year since my separation and divorce. The terms of my divorce is for my ex and I to have taken turns on claiming our daughter until they were both on their own. I did not let that happen. I needed that IRS rebate as a cushion EVERY year with the way nursing has become. At my age, I could no longer depend on experienced nurse=always have a job. We are the first the managment picks at, becuase we are the most exppensive(per hr and perceived insurance premiums, they don't want us) My tax accountant and I had the child deduction talk a fews years ago when the divorce was finalized. What it amounts to is- Who do the kids live with!! If they live with you( and which per cent of the time, who is the custodial parent, residental parent)- you are the one that wins in that battle. That rebate money has seen me through unemployment, my daughter school tuition down payments at the community college, their traffic tickets, even a new toilet and electric(dependable) hot water heater. As far as child support- many states go after these parents who don't pay support. The family courts do not charge for this at all. It's Free. They will make them get jobs and pay support or go to jail. They will garnish wages and IRS rebates and bonuses and lotto winnings. In some states, if it is a nurse who is not paying support- it goes against their license. I think Vermont does that. It asks on the application for nursing license. So does all federal government applications for emplyment. Parents who do not pay support, don't get away with it the way they used to.

Go to your family court house and ask to speak to a caseworker- It cost you nothing but your time.

This may be according to state( as divorce is a state by state ordeal not federal across the board)- but I think you can always go back into the divorce and re open some of the terms of your divorce(property settlement, visitation, who pays for what and support and alimony) I know in my state/ case- I can. You have to becareful with alimony- I was told by my attorney to waive my right to alimony. I was entitled after a 25 yr marriage. The attorney told me to waive alimony because he could quit his job the day after the divorce and get alimony from me. That he had the same rights and he is just greedy and nasty enough to do that for him and the dead beat girlfriend. No way was I supporting either of them. I was having enough of a hard time with the thousands of $$$of bills he didn't pay, myself and 2 daughters. I was working agency at that time and I worked day and night, some weeks it was 80hrs/week and had the stubs to prove it to the judge.

As an agency nurse, I met alot of agency nurses who were in the same situation as I was. I remember back in 2005, sitting with one agency nurse in the hospital lobby when we were waiting for the supervisor to give us our assignments. This other agency nurse was literally 'in hiding" from her exhusband. She had to re locate herself and kids to get away from her ex.

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Hey, I have learned so much as well. I am so proud to be part of this group. I think that if we work together we could put together a resource book that we could send out to nurses going through crisis. It could be a list of resources in their area, a list of nurses (us) to call when things get reallly bad....and some writings (from us and others) that are inspirational. We could set it up as a type of scrap book. And I also advise digging out those letters of recommendation that we have received in our lives. When things get bad, they are really healing. We are NOT our jobs. Hey - maybe we could do a local "Meals on Wheels" of those in communities who are willing to put together a casserole to help the nurse in need out when you are so strung out that you can't even think straight.

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Just thought of something else....I watched Oprah today and she had her staff go over their own personally touching episodes. One of her workers talked about a woman they had on their show (Christina MacFadden)? whose husband had shot her four children. She came on the show, and the worker organizing it still carried around a picture of her children in his wallet. The message is:...when you think you've had a bad day........

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Just thought of something else....I watched Oprah today and she had her staff go over their own personally touching episodes. One of her workers talked about a woman they had on their show (Christina MacFadden)? whose husband had shot her four children. She came on the show, and the worker organizing it still carried around a picture of her children in his wallet. The message is:...when you think you've had a bad day........

Wow, that is a sobering thought. I do have alot to be gratful for and I do thank God for what I have and have had rather dwell on the negative. Well said....I actually went to social services yesterday and honestly looked around. I was not judgemental but I could not ignore the sadness and despiration in that room. I went home and last night I couldn't sleep so I wrote out a gratitude list. I think I will post it on my bathroom mirror so I can remind myself of the goodness in my life. By the way I actually put this website and the compassionate people that I am meeting from this post at the top of the list

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Shelly- next year have a tax account do your taxes. It's worth the money.I don't know where you are but my taxes cost $185.00 to prepare. I did not go to an H&R Block. I went to a personal tax accountant, recommended by another nurse. And I have gone to this young lady ever since. I have had this tax accountant do my taxes every year since my separation and divorce. The terms of my divorce is for my ex and I to have taken turns on claiming our daughter until they were both on their own. I did not let that happen. I needed that IRS rebate as a cushion EVERY year with the way nursing has become. At my age, I could no longer depend on experienced nurse=always have a job. We are the first the managment picks at, becuase we are the most exppensive(per hr and perceived insurance premiums, they don't want us) My tax accountant and I had the child deduction talk a fews years ago when the divorce was finalized. What it amounts to is- Who do the kids live with!! If they live with you( and which per cent of the time, who is the custodial parent, residental parent)- you are the one that wins in that battle. That rebate money has seen me through unemployment, my daughter school tuition down payments at the community college, their traffic tickets, even a new toilet and electric(dependable) hot water heater. As far as child support- many states go after these parents who don't pay support. The family courts do not charge for this at all. It's Free. They will make them get jobs and pay support or go to jail. They will garnish wages and IRS rebates and bonuses and lotto winnings. In some states, if it is a nurse who is not paying support- it goes against their license. I think Vermont does that. It asks on the application for nursing license. So does all federal government applications for emplyment. Parents who do not pay support, don't get away with it the way they used to.

Go to your family court house and ask to speak to a caseworker- It cost you nothing but your time.

This may be according to state( as divorce is a state by state ordeal not federal across the board)- but I think you can always go back into the divorce and re open some of the terms of your divorce(property settlement, visitation, who pays for what and support and alimony) I know in my state/ case- I can. You have to becareful with alimony- I was told by my attorney to waive my right to alimony. I was entitled after a 25 yr marriage. The attorney told me to waive alimony because he could quit his job the day after the divorce and get alimony from me. That he had the same rights and he is just greedy and nasty enough to do that for him and the dead beat girlfriend. No way was I supporting either of them. I was having enough of a hard time with the thousands of $$$of bills he didn't pay, myself and 2 daughters. I was working agency at that time and I worked day and night, some weeks it was 80hrs/week and had the stubs to prove it to the judge.

As an agency nurse, I met alot of agency nurses who were in the same situation as I was. I remember back in 2005, sitting with one agency nurse in the hospital lobby when we were waiting for the supervisor to give us our assignments. This other agency nurse was literally 'in hiding" from her exhusband. She had to re locate herself and kids to get away from her ex.

Boy its like you guys are in my head. This year I actually had my taxes done two times. I went to my regular private accountant who I worked with for years. On a side note when I was married my ex and I used him jointly....and after the rst of this story I think he prefers my ex...lol. well when it was said and done I owed five hundred dollars! I almost died as I can't afford this and lost my job. So on the last day of tax season I went to h and r to have a second look. Well now I am going to get back about four hundred dollars! As far as child support goes, when we divorced we agreed to joint custody with no child support. Well that was short lived and in the past year she has spent less than ten days with him, yet he claims her. I did tell social services this issue but since no child support is the actual court order I cannot do anything....what a crying shame. But the IRS will catch up to both of us claiming the same child. I will have to prove she lives with me which I can. We even live in different school districts. He makes me sick..and I only agreed to the no support etc bc he blackmailed. Me with saying he would go to the BON with false alligations and I would loose my license and custody. Man, can I pick em

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