on probation because i made a mistake

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Just need to talk and tell my side of the story.

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Here is my story. I started working for a travel agency for a local hospital so i was not considered one of the homies an outsider i would say. My patient was scheduled for a hyda-scan and couldn't have any narcotics but I could medicate her with phenergan. The ordered dose was 12.5mg and I

gave her 25mg of phenergan 2 times four hours a part. she did fine with the first dose seemed to get relief. I gave report to the night shift and told them what i had done and everyone seemed fine with it. I should have called to get a doctor's order but I didn't. When I was charting the patient started having a reaction to the phenergan it was a jerking movement. The patient described it as if she were falling. I took care of the patient called the doctor and told him what I had done. To shorten this story, I was reported to state board by the hospital. I was sent to be evaluated for drug dependancy in which it was determined that I did not have a drug problem. Currently I have to call a number everyday to see if I have to go get drug tested. It's a headache. In addition I have to go to counseling. I realize I made a mistake but I believe this is a bit much. I've been a nurse since 1991 and never had any problems like this. Any coments? I have a lot of issues it seems. My husband is now wanting to move to Montana. Trying to transfere all of this to to another state is not fun. Just needed to vent!! Thanks. Oh by the way this happened in the state of AL.

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I guess my question would be why would you increase the dose of your own accord without checking with a physician? Possibly she may have done fine with the lower dose, regardless if the nightshift was fine with it according to our license we are not allowed to adjust doses of medications without standing orders and or Physician permission..

Being reported, I can't comment on that but it does appear to be a bit unfair..sorry it had to happen..But lesson learned I am sure..

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.

Sorry this has happened to you. Why did you give her a second dose if it was not ordered?

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the punishment seems a bit harsh. there are a few things i am thinking??????? why did you give a dose of 25mg??? was it just that you didnt read the order properly and thought she was to have 25mg? also why did you give a second dose 4hrs later? how was the order written? and why are they getting you drug screened? have you had a problem with drugs in the past that they are aware of????

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I'm also confused about why you gave a higher dose than ordered?

Anyway.....many of us do things that are not reported to the Board, but if the reports were made many more nurses would be on probation. I'm probably going to draw some fire but I don't think the Board is overreacting. We have peoples' lives in our hands and they (the Board) have to protect the public. Now, if it were truly a mistake that you gave that dose, then yes it would be a bit much. Look at it from the Board's point of view......even if the first dose were a true mistake, you gave a second dose and then told someone about it, so you were aware of what you were doing. You went beyond your scope of practice and decided the 12.5 mg wasn't enough and gave a higher dose without getting an order for it. That is, in the Board's view, the same as practicing medicine without a license or forging a prescription...both very serious offenses. You are not being treated any differently than any other nurse who goes before the Board for a med-related offense...all nurses in that category get drug-tested.

Sorry you have to go through this but take it as a lesson and learn it. Also, do not be surprised if you have to wait until your probation is over before moving; states do not like to grant licenses to nurses that are still on probation in another state.

May I suggest something? I'm assuming you will have to occasionally meet face to face with your probation monitor. I was on probation for 3 years for diverting. By the time I was put on probation I had several years sober and had the "Okay, what do I need to do to get through this?" attitude. On my third meeting with my monitor he told me that when he saw my name on his schedule he knew he could relax because I never gave him any problems, that I do what I'm told. Most of his nurses had the attitude of "Why do I have to do this?" and "I don't belong here." I promise, attitude will make all the difference in getting through this.

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I don't understand why YOU have to get drug testing. I can see a reprimand or counseling from the hospital..not too sure if the BON should be involved.

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the punishment seems a bit harsh. there are a few things i am thinking??????? why did you give a dose of 25mg??? was it just that you didnt read the order properly and thought she was to have 25mg? also why did you give a second dose 4hrs later? how was the order written? and why are they getting you drug screened? have you had a problem with drugs in the past that they are aware of????

We were really busy. My patient couldn't have any narcotics for her pain. I took it upon myself to give 25mg instead of 12.5mg. THe order was written as follows. Phenergan 12.5mg q 4-6hoursprn. If I had it to do all over again believe me I wouldn't do it. to answer your question I've never been into drugs and never intend to be. Thke reason I gave the second dose is because she was hurting and nauseated and needed something for relief and couldn't have anything due to the hyda-scan she was scheduled to have. Thanks for your reply

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We were really busy. My patient couldn't have any narcotics for her pain. I took it upon myself to give 25mg instead of 12.5mg. THe order was written as follows. Phenergan 12.5mg q 4-6hoursprn.

I, too, am sorry that you're having to go through this, but it's pretty clear legally that choosing, on your own, to double her dosage of Phenergan is practicing medicine without a license, a v. serious offense. Definitely outside your scope of practice, and you did it (administered the "double" dosage) not once, but twice! And it wasn't a "mistake" in the sense of accidentally misreading the order or vial label, you did it intentionally. It's not surprising that you were reported to the BON, or that they are taking the steps they are taking. That sounds v. appropriate to me ...

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"I took it upon myself to give 25mg instead of 12.5mg. THe order was written as follows. Phenergan 12.5mg q 4-6hoursprn."

THIS is why you're on probation. You took it upon yourself to go against a physician's order. I don't mean to sound harsh, but you don't have a leg to stand on. This wasn't a mistake, it was willful disobedience. It would have been a mistake had you misread the order.

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I am going to have a heart attack reading some of these posts. I first thought why would you have to go through all of this just because you made a mistake. However this wasnt accidental it was intentional.

You should never take it upon yourself to change a order. Always always always call the doctor when something is not going like it should be ie symptoms not controlled with medication. Phenergan can really snow the elderly and 25 mg if it is IV can be a lot.

That being said yes you were wrong but I cannot understand why you are being treated like someone addicted to drugs. This whole situation doesnt make sense to me. Why do you have to go to counseling? We all make errors in judgement at time.

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I don't understand why you would give a double dose of phenergan, aside from all the other comments and legal implications, since it isn't a pain med. Very poor judgement all around.

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