received disciplinary action--need advice

[oohnurse]

I graduated from nursing school in May 2005. My manager filed disciplinary action (written, not verbal) against me for failure to report lab values to MD about 5 months ago. It's probably kept permanantly in my hospital profile.

That means ONE more "written-up", I will be terminated.

As a result of this, my following annual evaluation is quite negative.

I am very discouraged by this. At times, I felt as if I want to get out of this profession. I went to work as if everyday was my last at work and begin making plan about my alternative. I calculated my savings on microsoft excel everyday... like if tommorrow is my last day, how much money I will have left to survive..haha...

Recently, my manager asked me if I want to transfer for training to ICU. coz she know I want to get out of this busy med-surg floor. I accepted the offer... I would love to go ICU and learns new things rather than being here and feel like everyday is my last day.. In fact, I started out in ICU when I graduated..

If you were me, what would you do.

Will you find ICU position at other hospitals so I will begin with the clean records? that means you will work in new working environment.. meet new people... go thru whole new training..

Accept ICU position at the same hospital to get ICU experience and move on to other hospital for clean record?

Or will you continue to work here with permanent negative record on my file? and hopefully people will forget about it..

In fact, I am going to take part time degree at College of Arts local university this Fall 2006 and plan to go back to Master degree next year. I feel shaky about this career.

The fact that one more written up I will be OUT make me feel unsecured about my job... I feel as if they can find things to fire me at any time..

I am paranoid.... I want to begin with a clean record.

[Fairlythere, ASN, RN]

"It's probably kept permanantly in my hospital profile. " First of all, have a frank conversation about this with your mgr. and find out if it IS permanently in your file. I can't imagine you are the only RN in the world that has not called a doc when they were supposed to. Second, I find myself doubting they would ask you to go to ICU if THEY had a problem with your abilities and were not confident you could do the job.

Weigh their response to your "write up" question and the other pros and cons. One reason I got into nursing was not to feel "stuck". Nurses shift around a lot looking for a fit. If you liked ICU in the beginning and learning still excites you, try it out. Good luck on your decision.

[nambour51]

I agree with Fairlythere. One report is not the end of the world. If the report is still on your file see if you can also have included a report about would you learnt from the experience and how you have developed your knowledge/skills etc since then. This would put the negative report in the past and show that you are developing professionally.

[vonxojn]

I wanted to reply in regards to your situation with the write up that you received. Your going to make mistakes along the way as a nurse and as long as you learn from them and keep going, you'll be fine. I also worked a very busy surgical floor and it took me months before I felt comfotable handling my patients and learning my OWN routines. One question... If the Nurse Manager felt like the floor was too busy for you... why would she say maybe you should try ICU. If you forgot to report lab values on her floor, whose to say you won't do the same in the ICU. Don't let the NM run you off. You leave because you wanted to have a position in the ICU NOT because of the Lab value incident or because the NM felt like you belong better there. :angryfire

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Good luck to you. I got a write up 14 years ago and never got another one. Just because you have one now, doesn't mean you are going to get another one.

Good luck!

[dance_200]

if you ever think about leaving that hospital and transfering to another one, you might be lucky enough to get a higher salary and then you would wipe the slate clean.

[babynurselsa, RN]

The write ups typically only count against you for a set period of time. Usually like 6 months or so. Though it may remain in your file does not mean it will always be held against you. I bet you learned from the mistake, right?

hang in there. If ICU is what you wnat to do then go for it.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

"my following annual evaluation is quite negative"

Is the eval really negative??? Or are you letting this one write-up color your perception.

Write ups are important to document a variance for accepted policy occurred, corrective action taken to resolve situation, education provided to staff and look at system issues if multiple reports occur.

I can't imagine a Manager would transfer someone with a negative eval to ICU. As a Manager, I'd refuse to accept an employee with negative eval transfer to an ICU unit...just turned down similar employee transfer.

Is it possible the manager is encouraging a transfer as she knows this is where your heart lies? What kind of orientation program do they have? Certification classes? Have you ever been in the unit transferring patients? Know what the units culture is like? Please look around your facility for a "good fit". You and your patients deserve the best.

[rnccm, RN]

I feel for you. I got written up my third day on the job as a new RN. I didn't list the doctor's first name on the consent form. My preceptor said oops, I thought you knew how to fill that out. It's a learning experience for sure! bet I never forget to put the first name on that form ever again.:angryfire

[bear611]

Is she also the manager for ICU, if not go and do what you want to do. One write up five months ago should NOT discourage you. :penguin: :balloons:

[mojofla]

I say take the ICU job and at least one year there under your belt. If you enjoy it stay...if not then at least you are now experienced and can look for a better job. Hopefully it will be an ICU experience that you will enjoy and the ratios good. I worked trauma ICU many many years ago and when I moved to the USA there was none in the area I lived. So I went back to med surg...it gets harder to move to another area the longer you stay in med surg. Don't worry about the write up. Just as long as you learned from it. Make sure whever you work always keep on top of the labs and check the values that are reportable in your hospital. Different hospitals have different critical values to report. Seek your experienced peers advice also. Sometimes you will find managers who will write things up and others don't. Always remember in nursing CYA.... no one else will.....good luck