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.

They would not give me copies of anything at all. As for her they said it was a clerical wrror that those things were in my file, go figure!

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I would demand a written statement stating the "clerical error" in detail so it doesn't come back to bite you in the tush! Get out of there as fast as you can!

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I love how she said to me Friday, No hard feelings...sheesh

For pete's sake, don't believe this statement!

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For pete's sake, don't believe this statement!

You don't believe me?

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.
You don't believe me?

I think she meant don't believe the "no hard feelings" because I'm sure there are.

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Whenever someone accused you of wrong doing as a nurse...make notes. Write down a clear picture of what occurred and witnesses if necessary..Then go directly to the board of nursing. Tell them what occurred and remain calm and honest as you are. Do not wait for this DON to report you. It seems you were placed in an unsafe patient to nurse ratio situation at work. Report them to the Health Department and have their staffing ratios investigated. You can also go to the Attorney Generals office and report them. The American Nurses Association may help you with an attorney as well.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
Whenever someone accused you of wrong doing as a nurse...make notes. Write down a clear picture of what occurred and witnesses if necessary..Then go directly to the board of nursing. Tell them what occurred and remain calm and honest as you are. Do not wait for this DON to report you. It seems you were placed in an unsafe patient to nurse ratio situation at work. Report them to the Health Department and have their staffing ratios investigated. You can also go to the Attorney Generals office and report them. The American Nurses Association may help you with an attorney as well.

Law,

Shelly (the OP) has resolved this issue. She is back at work and has been cleared.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

I'm glad Shelly has this all behind her. I'm still reeling from the palpable panic in her posts. Things to keep in mind: 1. She made a med error, just like the rest of us. No harm came to the patient. 2. She reported it right away, just like we're supposed to. 3. She might not have known how to document it properly, but tried to do so and made no attempt to falsify. 4.The BON would likely have blown this off because it's ridiculous. 5. If she can scrape up a few pennies, would go a long way for peace of mind. These people can help you deal with unprofessional employers.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

Tricia,

Shelly was lucky. She acted quickly and honestly, and was able to utilize her resources. The BON practically laughed this off. She suffered no harm professionally, but had to take a hit personally. Her co-workers were still wary when she returned to work, but being the strong willed person she is, kept her head held high and continued to focus on her patients.

She tells me that she is doing well, and deeply appreciates all of the sound advice that she received from us.

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