Required to sign warning letter?

[Banks44, BSN]

Hello! I’m hoping to gain some insight/feedback on a situation that occurred at work recently.

I’ve been a nurse for roughly 4yrs and worked for the same hospital the whole time. We recently (within the past year) got a new barcode scanner for lab tests and I was using the device to swab a patient (first time using it for a swab). I purposely didn’t apply the sticker to the tube as I was worried that the barcode would overlap making it impossible to scan. I placed the sticker in the bio bag with the swab while double verifying the information with the patient and POA, places it in another bio bag, and tubed it down to our lab. I was called by the lab shortly thereafter and informed that they’d be rejecting the specimen for mislabeling. Of course I then explained (and apologized to the pt) swabbed the pt again, and put the sticker on (I then realized I was wrong and the barcode fit fine).

The next day I received a call from my manager as the lab tech (or someone else) wrote me up for the mislabeled specimen. He then informed me that I’d have to meet with him, our CNO and HR because they are classifying it as a Red Rule violation.

I have never been in trouble with an employer before, and get along with my manager quite well (it sounds to me like he understand where my thought process was and doesn’t think we need to have this meeting, but it’s not his choice).

If they agree that this truly is a Red Rule violation, I believe that’s an automatic Final Written Warning. I do admit I was wrong about the barcode and realize the sticker could have fallen out if the bag, so I take responsibility for my error.

So my question is mostly for those in HR or who’ve had an experience similar to this, if they present me with a written warning, do I have to sign it? Or is that me essentially firing myself? It’s a private hospital with no union. I’d hate to lose my job over this, but being on FWW also makes me ineligible for a raise and more importantly, would go on my file. What is your take on the situation?

[JKL33]

No experience, but a few useful principles:

- Know the actual related policies/review them

- Present a concise statement, for example: "While using ______ new device/process, I did not apply the patient label directly to the sample in the usual fashion because I believed it would not properly fit and would not be able to be scanned. The sample was submitted along with the unattached label in the same biohazard bag, and further secured by placing those contents into a second biohazard bag. In the future I will contact lab personnel with any concerns about properly labeling, prior to submitting the specimen"

- If you are compelled to sign, your statement should be written onto the same paper you sign

- Review this, perhaps bring a copy of it along with you. Ask for a fair review of your thought process and merits such as the fact that you have no history of disregarding important safety rules

- I don't know about whether you have to sign; I would think you can be compelled to. Not signing in this situation is of questionable benefit, isn't it? I assume it counts as a FWW whether you sign it or not, and you can likely be terminated for hundreds of reasons or no reason

- In the future, stop whenever you know you are considering any kind of work-around. Get correct answers before proceeding. If you are advised that the correct answer is a work-around, evaluate carefully whether it makes sense or whether you need a 2nd confirmation. In either instance, report the work-around on your facility's incident report, including the name of the person who advised it and confirmed it.

- If you receive a FWW, make sure you understand what this entails.

- Make future employment decisions based on how this is handled and what you learn during the process

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Your signature isn't an admission of anything other than having received the written warning. You should have opportunity and space to respond to it in writing, which will be included in your employee file.

[Emergent, RN]

Wow, your employer is pretty hardass! Seriously? At my workplace they send out friendly reminders to everyone, especially when adapting to new systems and policies.

This punitive approach would rub me the wrong way, totally. I'm thankful for my wonderful manager!!!

[Emergent, RN]

And, what kind of place is this that HR and the CNO have time for a meeting regarding a lab label incorrectly placed? This extreme micromanagement is bizarre.

[Banks44, BSN]

Thank you all for your feedback! I had my meeting yesterday, and HR was not there.

First, before the meeting I looked up our Red Rule policy again and realized they changed it. Apparently now first offense is first level corrective action, second offense is final written, and third is termination.

My dad is in HR, and advised me to write a letter of explanation. I took his advice and brought the letter to the meeting.

While I do agree the required meeting does seem extreme, it’s just part of the policy to have a meeting with every potential Red Rule violation.

Interestingly enough, the CNO wasn’t able to make it to the meeting so our Nursing Operations Director along with my manager came. It started off with her being very polite and kind, however I got the feeling it didn’t matter much what my explanation was, she was still going to deem it a violation. However, when I gave her my letter and she read it, she said she’d review it with the CNO and update me as to their determination.

I guess I’ll just have to wait and see what they think now.

[TriciaJ, RN]

I agree with the advice of the previous posters and I think you handled it correctly. They were being a bit draconian; I'd bet it blows over after this.

Dust yourself off. This **** happens.

[AnnieNP, MSN, NP]

OP, how are you? Any updates?

[Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM]

OMG, this is ridiculous. The specimen wasn't mislabeled, it was in the bio bag..it just wasn't ON the specimen.

Recollect, tell you not to do it again, case closed.

They have WAY too much time on their hands.

[Banks44, BSN]

Luckily they decided to let it go as, “we’re all human”. IMHO it was blown out of proportion, but who am I? ?

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Yes, it was definitely overblown and ridiculous. Glad it worked out for you.