angeldaisy

Just wanted to let you all know...I am meeting with my DON tomorrow to discuss this. I will let you know the outcome! Thanks so much for your advice and comments. It made me see things from more than just my own perspective. :)

That is partly why I am so torn. I do understand the circumstances of the meds I listed. All PRN...those are just the ones I know...my problem lies within the ones I don't know. Rumors are a dime a dozen...and believe me, this has created a rumor mill like no other. I am trying to weed between the rumors and hear facts. I have even considered going to our DON and talking to her. However, I know that she can't tell me anything in regards to specifics. My head is spinning! I just keep thinking that if nothing was wrong, why was she suspended in the first place? ( I seen the note to the scheduler from the DON saying to NOT schedule her as she was on unpaid suspension) I don't know...everyone here has brought up some very valid points...I think I am more confused now than before!

I sure am sorry if this has started a battle here! So not my intention! I just thought that I would let everyone know what I have witnessed myself and not just heard through the grapevine. Usually this nurse works on our Alzheimers unit...usually,but not always. On several occassions I have worked with her in different areas. On two such occassions I witnessed her 'passing her meds' or rather giving the impression of such. I KNOW of 3 residents who didn't receive their neb treatments. I KNOW of 1 resident who didn't receive his sup. I KNOW of another resident who didn't get OTC PRN meds. I saw her charting for each patient. I don't know what she charted. But she was charting. I asked her how come X doesn't get a neb...the reply was because they don't need it. The next night I worked with a different nurse...they gave the neb. I spend more time minute for minute with these residents. Our nurses are not allowed enough time to do that. I LOVE my residents. The reason I am questioning this now is because I lost my mom some years ago in a nursing home. (TOTALLY UNRELATED...She went there under hospice for cancer) I have always tried to treat my residents the way I would have wanted my mom treated. If this was going on with MY mom, I would at the very least want it investigated. I know our DON has a habit of turning the other cheek. I personally experienced this in another area. (She kept on an employee who had been accused of sexual harassment 3x's...then she let him go.There was plenty of 'proof' there to have let him go though) At any rate, I am now questioning if I should say anything. It may not seem like much ... M.O.M., Nebs, sups., but these are just what I witnessed. What about what I didn't? And I am not out to ruin anyone's life...I just am thinking of the lives of my residents. They have lost so much already...homes, spouses, freedom...they shouldn't lose their right to have medications.

What I have 'heard' is that her mom went to the DON and cried bipolar disorder to keep her job. Her mom has worked there for years. To me, that is not a reason to keep her. I think bipolar is even more reason to not excuse her behavior. I have talked to her before and she readily admits to not taking her own meds because it is a hassle. It just really irks me that she can come back and her residents were never given the choice of whether they wanted their meds or not. She mostly works on our Alzheimers unit. I think that is why it went on as long as it did. (Weeks 2 Months) Most of the residents couldn't/can't remember whether they took their meds or not. She only got caught because the residents had increased behaviors for no reason. One of the other nurses started counting all meds...the rest is history. I received the official complaint form in the mail today...I think I will go fill it out... Thanks for the comments. :)

:flamesonb I have an ethical issue to address...I am a nursing student and work as a CNA while going to school. I work in a nursing home with several people who I also attend school with. Recently one of the nurses I work with was suspended w/o pay because she had been caught not passing her meds. She was signing off on all meds, but only passing her narcs. At this time it seems as though our DON has NOT reported her to the state board of nursing. I am furious because she is coming back to work tomorrow. I feel like she shouldn't be doing ANY nursing at all because even though no one was 'harmed' the potential was there to do great harm! I am now considering filing a formal complaint myself. I have checked it out and know that I can remain annonymous. I have spoke with several other CNA's and nurses at the facility and we are all pretty much on the same page... pissered off that nothing seems to be happening. So...what would you do?