Hi Everyone,
I'm looking for advise on how to approach this current situation about getting a complaint reported to me to the Board of Nursing. So here is what got me this complaint: I work as a hospice nurse case manager. I was assigned an admission visit at a patient's home and so I called him to schedule a time but he flat out refused and said that he's fine and doesn't want to be seen. I called his daughter and let her know the situation and that I needed info for the admission which she was willing to help provide as much info as she can but a physical visit will be schedule in the next few days to follow up with him. I also added that if anything were to happen or have any other concerns to call us right away. My day continued and had other visits to be done but this particular visit documentation I didn't finish until the end of the day. My mistake was that I forgot to call the office to update them that patient refused a visit and I failed to document it. Before I had a chance to fix it, the employer found out about the documentation discrepancy and terminated me. the patient was unharmed, no med errors happened, and my mistake was failing to update the office about the visit and didn't document. The time between the incident and to when I was terminated was around 2 business days and one of those days I was on PTO. the agency company was the one who actually filed the complaint not the company I was actually working with.
Now I have a letter stating that they need my written description of what happened and other information like current resume, CEU's, job description, and other info. It also says that If I were to get a lawyer that I need to notify them within 10 business and If I were to pursue this on my own that I have 21 days to submit everything. So, has anyone else been in a similar situation and how have you handled? Do I need a lawyer? how do I write my side of the story without incriminating me? It has been 2 months since this happened to there are things I honestly have forgotten about that patient. I know I made a mistake with documentation but I'm honestly afraid of what might happen to my license. Help!!