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.

Specializes in FNP.

Ticky is right. You NEED a lawyer. I know you say you cant afford it, but believe me you can't afford NOT to. You could lose everything. A lawyer might amount to a month's pay, but without one, you may lose many more months pay. You can put the retainer on a credit card, borrow against your home, borrow from a friend, cash in a CD even if you take penalty, but you simply have got to have representation.

And insure yourself before you return to work.

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If you can't afford a lawyer, open up a credit card with a lower interest rate, they're pretty easy to find. Then just put it all on the card and make the minimum payments. It's not as painful as it may seem.

No, it's not ideal. But this is your current situation and it's not going to be FUN, but it is not the end of your world. Like everyone said, this is your license and a big issue, you do need a lawyer.

Look on the bright side...your med error did not cause harm. A document is the least of your worries when it comes to med errors.

You can get through this. Yes, you must feel like sinking into the cracks, but don't. You're human, and you're not the first nor the last to experience this! Be proud of everything you did RIGHT in a very challenging career. And address the error with sound judgment, and don't cower.

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

DO NOT go in until you have spoken/retained an attorney.

I really think a meeting with them can make the situation worse for you. If they have already terminated you then there is no reason for you to meet with them. I think they could be getting you to sign something or pressuring you into doing something that is not in your best interest. Technically you are no longer an employee and you don't not have to go in or discuss anything with them anymore. Don't let them pull "we just want to talk" because that can be done over the phone. There are no papers for you to sign.

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Specializes in Pediatric and Adult OR.

I'm so sorry this is happening to you. Everyone else has really good advice. It seems pretty bullsh*t that they fired you over this - you're supposed to be able to report med errors and such without fear of punishment, otherwise people will keep quiet about it! This has got to be really terrifying for you. You're in my prayers and I wish you the best of luck. It's tough now but it will all be okay in the end.

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Specializes in ER.
Big sigh...I woke up...thank you for all the wonderful advice on here. Im going to hit the street...well actually the internet, and get started. Keep ya posted...btw got a call last night...the DON wants to meet...what that means is to do the termination and then all of admonostration ESCORTS YOU OFF THE PROPERTY., I have NO desire to go face to face with anyone. Suggestions?

don't go. I had a friend where I worked who I knew was being terminated, they were bringing all of the big wigs, and I told her they were assembling. She didn't come, so they formerly couldn't fire her. She resigned. Why not try that?? Then you have a reason to give the next employer as to why you quit - dangerous work environment, blah blah blah.

This nurse they wanted to fire had worked in this ER for EIGHT years. She was being targeted and ganged up on by some liars. She happened to speak up about it, so they tried to fire her. She did leave, and you know what? She has had MULTIPLE jobs since that time, with that incident never tarnishing her career.

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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!

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DO NOT go into that meeting without a lawyer. You need to get one pronto. And this is why nurses should ALWAYS have private insurance of their own. Pls make sure you obtain some before your next job.

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Sony voice recorder sold @ Staples= $40.00. Plays for 440 hours and fits in your purse the size of an eye glass casr/small. I bought one and brought it to my meeting with HR and My NM when they fired me for documentation. I played it for unemployment when the hospital tried to say I resigned. I aslo kept a COBRA paper they will send you that bold printed "terminated" The healtcare facilites are liars!! trust me I know!!

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Regarding your job issue: I too have been in similar situations and have discovered an easy fix. When you have background issues look into home health. You're a good nurse with a good background. Home health will hire you, place you and the only risk they take is how often can you work. I know nurses that work 16 hour shifts 3-4 days a week. It has benefits if you're over 32 hours. Pediatric will give you a single patient for the full shift. Adult will give you several patients to check on over a time span. It's worth looking into and the money is better than most other common job placements. Downside: less on the job support. Upside: less on the job drama.

And remember, Breathe. Also, you haven't gotten a BON letter yet. Untill then, you're not in trouble. You're only out of work.

BTW: I'm being investigated currently for totally false allegations made up by a parent with control issues. My lawyer is working pro-bono and I'm getting a new job out of the pediatric field. No, I don't even have to tell the new job about the investigation. The parents have made me crazy after a year. But you sound a bit more experienced in that regard. I wish you all the best.

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**UPDATE**

Again thank you all for your wonderful responses, yyou have helped me in ways you will never know. Mainly restoring my faith in mankind. With that said I did contact my BON, I actually have a contact there who happens to be the director. I explained my situation completely and honestly and she said she looked forward to the complaint that it was bogus and not a reportable offense. She said all that was proved is that ii am a human being, and an honest one at that. I have the utmost respect for this lady. She is honest caring and a real straight shooter. I also secured a job interview and when I told her where it was she said "DO NOT GO, DO NOT WORK THERE DO NOT APPLY, and you didn't hear that from me" with that said I canceled the interview, as I mentioned I respect this lady quite a bit. I do have another interview lined up for home health care. Im praying about that. I also applied for unemployment and consulted an RN attorney. She also said the case was without merit. I'm breathing a little easier at the moment. I still do not know how I. Will feed my family but I have faith. I live in a very small rural area and I'm hard pressed to find anyone that is hiring at all. I'm keeping the faith and believing that God has bigger and better plans for my future...and btw...I'm seeing socks, dirty socks every time I picture my former employers/ DON...LOL. I will not go for a meeting they can contact me by mail and I will buy the pocket recorder for any contact that I do have. Thank you all again so much. Each and everyone of you are true blessings sent to me by God.

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OOne last thing, im taking away alot of life lessons from my pain.

Do not trust co workers

you do not go to work to make friends

you do not need to be accepted by the clique to have self worth

do not give all of yourself to yoour employer but its ok to give all of yourself to your patients.

be honest at all cost.

document document document...then document more

carry .

save money for tough times no matter how hard it is to do.

love and espect yourself and have faith in yourself and your abilities.

do not sacrifice today for what may not exist tomorrow.

Shelly

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I agree, I wouldn't go to their meeting either. I would however let them send you a letter of termination. EVERYTHING you get on paper is to your advantage/ evidence!! And keep it all- it will come in handy. Going to this meetig could be them picking you for how much you know. They could be very well trying to cover something up. I would stay away from them and keep your thoughts on this matter to yourself- discuss only with your attorney. Write down the date, time and exact words of that phone converstion and give that to the attorney. This sounds mighty fishy to my old brain!! ( fact: you were given an unusual/out of the ordinary patient ratio. Who made that assignment decision? well known fact: more med error are made with short staffing! that DON doesn't have all their facts or might just have had an epiphany- and wants you to spill your guts so they can figure which angle to hang the insident on you!) Stay away from them.!! Going to that meeting and answering their questions may be giving them the opportunity to save their nasty butts but hang you out to dry/under the bus!

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