Second year nurse-complaints against me

[broken_heart123]

I just started working on call at a new facility in subacute. I recieved word from the DNS today that a complaint was made against me that I didn't respond to her call light in time and she suffered in pain. At the time this happened, I was distracted with struggling to find an antibiotic that needed to be hung by midnight. I was looking everywhere: med cart, med room and finally had to walk to the other unit to find another nurse to help me. The evening shift never told me about this antibiotic which was scheduled for midnight and 6 am. Apparently there were other complaints, I am not sure of the nature of those yet as I am still waiting to meet with the DNS today. I feel awful, in shock and in grief. I honestly don't know what I am going to do if this were to be reported to the state and I end up with this on my license. I feel terribly for the woman in pain and am full of regret and despair today. My previous experience was mostly in LTC and I have never had to deal with anything like this. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? Signed, Brokenhearted

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

How long were you off the floor? And how is it that, if you were off the floor looking for a med (and I assume you told your coworkers) no one stepped up to help your patients? If anything, it says something about your work environment that's a little disturbing...

[loriangel14, RN]

How long were you off the floor? And how is it that, if you were off the floor looking for a med (and I assume you told your coworkers) no one stepped up to help your patients? If anything, it says something about your work environment that's a little disturbing...

Exactly my thought. If her bell was ringing did someone else not answer it? If she was in need of pain meds would they not have gotten it for her since you were off the floor? That's how it works on my floor.We don't just care for the ones on our assignment.You were otherwise occupied. Don't feel bad.

I don't think that a complaint will go "on your license".

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

My advice is to make a big deal out of apologizing. Fall all over yourself. Announce your intention to make sure it never happens again. Let your supervisor know that you understand the importance of "customer service" in the hospital setting. Tell them you want top reviews from every patient. Lay it on thick.

I can't imagine this being a problem with your license, but I have seen people fired for making patients wait for pain medication. The cases I've seen had more to do with controlling/punishing nurses instead of unorganized ones, but...

My personal strategy is to get everyone comfortable and then work on the routine things with minimal disturbance (hopefully!). If an antibiotic is a few minutes late because I gave a pain med, that's OK. I wouldn't rely on coworkers to give my pain meds unless I happened to be dealing with an urgent situation (trouble breathing, chest pain, etc.).

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Totally agree with Pangea ^^^^.

When you meet with your manager, be prepared with an analysis of your behavior - what you did wrong, what you should have done, and how you will make sure not to make the same mistake again.

It's normal to feel bad about things like this, but don't obsess on it. This is how expertise is created - we learn from our mistakes and get better. You've already begun. I am sure that you will never again see pain management as anything less than your top priority.