MOmama

TheMoonisMyLantern, yes, you are correct, it's not a hot item for diversion. Here's what happened: During surgery, the surgeon told that nurse to give the patient Diamox after the procedure. She forgot. I happened to be working recovery that day. Later that day, she must've remembered because she went back into the chart, charted that I gave the med while in PACU (I was never told the patient needed the med, nor did I give any med to said patient for that matter.) So, instead of coming clean once she realized this, she falsified the chart, obtained the med, wrote down the patient's address, and drove to the patient's house to give the med. It's beyond ludicrous. This nurse STILL has her job. The chart was corrected to show that I did not give the med (this is the only part I'm happy about.) I realize nothing is going to change where I work, so I'm currently pursuing other opportunities. It's unfortunate because I really do enjoy the job. Thanks for responding!

Thank you, JKL33 and Nurse Beth for your responses. Apparently, today the nurse completed an incident report. So, she's still currently employed. The nurse has been with this place for about 15 years and has a close friendship with the DON. I was in surgery all day so by the time I was done, my supervisor had left for the day. We are planning to meet tomorrow when I will see how this is being handled. The medication is Diamox. Unfortunately, this medication is not in our daily med count; only narcotics. However, we need either the surgeon's or anesthesiologist's written/verbal orders to obtain it. So, somehow this was obtained. I have no idea. All of it is sketchy. Thank you both, again for your responses!

Hello! I work at an ambulatory surgery center where we have paper charting. After surgeries a few days ago, I was reviewing charts and noticed that another nurse had charted under my name that I had given medication to a patient after their procedure. I did not give this patient any medication whatsoever, as they had declined. This was noted as such; however, the nurse had drawn a line through it, put my initials and charted the med. The pen color and writing were obviously different. I immediately brought this to my supervisor's attention. The person who charted was identified and the situation was written up as an incident report with her name on it. Here are my questions...is that really an incident? From my standpoint, she's a licensed medical professional who falsified information and passed it off as someone else's. And only an incident report is filed? Is this like a slap on the wrist? Does anyone know the legalities of this? Should I contact the board of nursing in my state? I'm concerned because a little part of me thinks she's done this before to others, but no one has caught her until now. Thank you for any feedback!

Amen, sister.

I'm feeling guilty. I'm in a different situation. I left a new grad program after 6 months when I was offered a job in an ambulatory surgery center. I found my calling there for sure. Well, once the govenor of my state put the kibosh on elective surgeries, there went my job. Temporarily, at least. I can do without working, as my husband is the breadwinner; however, I feel compelled to go and help out. The unit I left at the hospital (it was a med/surg position) has openings and they are eager to hire. My issue is, because I left a new grad position, I believe I burnt a bridge. I'm not sure entirely, as there was no real drama surrounding it. It's just that I was still in the program and I jumped ship for the job I really wanted. In any case, I've been having lots of inner dialogue with myself and I want to reach out to my old manager and ask if I could come and help. I don't know what to do. My husband works from home normally and my teenager is now home too doing virtual school. I don't want to bring anything home to them. Am I crazy for wanting to go back? Maybe so. Anyone else feeling like this?

I can relate. I, too, am a second career nurse. Tried hospital nursing... 2 different jobs in one year. I hated both of them. I was miserable, which made my family miserable. It wasn't until I looked in the mirror and admitted to myself that I am not a floor nurse. This idea gets drilled into our heads in nursing school by professors. One year of med/surg and you can go anywhere. Well, I'm here to tell you that I did not last 1 year in med/surg. I lasted about 5, maybe 6 months tops. I was ready to throw in the towel on this entire career. It wasn't until I applied and subsequently was offered a job as a pre/post op nurse at a surgery center that my outlook on nursing changed. In a last-ditch effort to give this career a go, I took the job and I have absolutely loved it from day one. I found my home. Never in a million years did I think this type of nursing (I also circulate in the OR) would be a good fit for me. And never did I think I would actually love a nursing job. Just wanted to tell you that you're not alone. Like others have suggested, try applying to jobs that maybe you wouldn't have considered in the past, as they aren't hospital nursing jobs. You may be surprised that sometimes what we want is not always what we need. I wish you well!

Wow. I could've written this post myself. However, I'm a new grad nurse with only about 6 months experience. I intensely dislike being a nurse. I envy the CNAs and the fact that they don't carry the heavy burden like we do.

Nurse Beth and "nursy", thank you for responding to my question. When I first emailed Nurse Beth, I was a bit emotional; thinking I just wanted to throw in the towel and that any subsequent experience will be like my first one. But, I didn't. I've been actively applying for RN positions and recently got an interview for an Infusion Nurse. Any advice on how to address my short, albeit negative, tenure at my previous job? I feel as though I have 2 strikes against me; I'm a new grad, and I left my first job in under 12 weeks. Thank you!!!

Hello, everyone. As the title of my post states, I'm a new grad at 44. This is my second career. I'm in my 10th week of orientation at a small community hospital on a very busy med/surg floor. We specialize in dialysis patients and the acuity level is high; lots of transfers to ICU. In the beginning of my orientation, I was with a preceptor who didn't really want to precept. I spoke up and was switched immediately. My preceptor since that time has been wonderful and very supportive. She says I'm ready to be on my own. However, as I'm nearing the end of my 12 week orientation, I'm panicking. I don't feel ready to be on my own with 5-6 patients. I'm struggling to manage it all. Between assessments, passing meds on time, charting, and constant interruptions, I'm operating at a high level of stress and I'm going out of my head. I cry all of the time (at work, at home, in my car, you name it.). The stress of the job follows me home at night and I can't seem to "leave it at work." I have heart palpitations, anxiety attacks, my family life is suffering. The high acuity of these patients scares me. Every single day I fantasize about quitting and doing something less stressful. However, from what I've read and what people tell me, I HAVE to do a year of med/surg in order to go anywhere else. Is this really true? Is that naive to ask? I don't know what to do or where to go, but bedside nursing is killin' me. Can anyone give some words of wisdom or maybe share their story? I'm a mess.

I want to thank everyone who commented and for your words of encouragement and advice. Truly, it made a difference in my perspective. Also wanted to give a quick update...I've kept my mouth shut with my subsequent preceptors about my original preceptor. However, interestingly enough, each one of them have "heard it through the grapevine" about my request to change. Every single one of them said they weren't surprised I had requested a change because of her behavior. They all know. All I said in response was that my learning style wasn't a match, which, in essence, is true. Although the job is incredibly stressful and demanding, the environment is supportive and that's made all the difference since I've changed preceptors. Thank you to everyone, again!

Sour Lemon, Thank you for your encouragement. I keep saying to myself; learn what you need to learn and then move on. Easier said than done sometimes. And you're exactly right, not everybody has the inner strength to shut down someone they disagree with. This person has a strong, albeit, negative personality. Those who gravitated towards her seemed to share in that energy.

37changes I did speak with her privately on more than one occasion to address what I needed as a preceptee. I wouldn't wait to express a concern (always out of a patient's room, of course). I even thanked her for her patience, which I knew darn well she wasn't patient with me. I took all of the appropriate steps until finally I had to go above her to enact a change.

I'm a new grad nurse. I was assigned to a preceptor who gossiped about everyone, was nasty to patients, but at the same time very possessive of her patients. Just a few examples of her behavior; when passing meds, I was never going fast enough, so she'd butt in and do it herself because I was so slow. Hello? I'm going slow because I'm new and I want to be accurate and safe! I would ask questions constantly and she'd either ignore me or give me some smart retort. When showing me how to chart, she'd say, "Click here, then here, then here." Never a thorough explanation of what the heck was going on. It was brutal. I was learning nothing! I finally went to my nurse educator and asked to be switched to a different preceptor. She switched me with no problem; however, now the previous preceptor is (of course) gossiping about me and rallying her crew of toadies. A few nurses have asked me what happened, but I never say a word about the person. I just say that I needed a schedule change and leave it at that. I don't want the drama, but I have unfortunately found myself in it! I'm at the point that I just want to quit and find another job. This is insane. I'm stressed out not only because I feel so ill-prepared to care for patients, but in addition to having a target on my back now that I spoke up about the situation. But I had to do something because I was learning nothing!! Can someone help with some words of encouragement or advice or something? I don't know what to do. My personal life is suffering because I can't seem to let go of the worry. I hate the thought of having to go back there Monday.

Hello! This is my first time posting. I've been reading the comments and thought I'd chime in. I haven't received an email yet; however, when I do, I will comment with details. Also, I applied with (I think) around 215 points. I say "I think" because I didn't realize they gave extra points for having a bachelors degree. So, I really have no idea how many points I ended up with. Anyway, best of luck to everyone!