Suspend within 1 month of hire

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Hi guys! I've been working in a LTC facility over a month now and I have problems dealing with my co-workers. I feel that I am alienated not only to them but also to my family. I have a hard time in my work since its busy and I have to deal with 20 patients max all the same time while honing my clinical skills. On top to that, I've got suspended because I have wrongly administered a medication which I report myself and file a medication error report. I know I am at fault and I accept it. What depressed me was that its so early for me to have suspension. I am only on my one month of hire. I am stupid. I dont deserve my title. I dont know what to do. Do you any experiences like this also? How did you overcome it?

Was the med error a serious one, as in did or could the patient have suffered irreparable harm or death? It sounds like you are still within your probationary period, if I'm correct. Your punishment does seem somewhat harsh, although I would think that if it was that serious they would have just fired you since you're still on probation. Just a thought.

The patient is not in bad shape but I was fired anyway. Too bad its my first job. I am currently job searching which depresses me every single day. I wish I did not reported that one.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

So did the patient have ANY negative effect from the medication error? You mention she's moving, alert, and not in bad shape but I don't see where you mentioned if the patient had ANY effect from the error. Sorry if I missed it.

Med errors will happen. Little ones and big ones. And as others said to have you managing 20 patients yourself at one month is a bit much. I got about 6 weeks if I remember right to manage 4 patients on a cardiac step down unit.

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So did the patient have ANY negative effect from the medication error? You mention she's moving, alert, and not in bad shape but I don't see where you mentioned if the patient had ANY effect from the error. Sorry if I missed it.

As far as I observed, there is no visible s/s of adverse reaction. I reported it to the supervisor right away and good thing that the physician, who ordered it, is present so I think they managed to correct it. My fault was the time the med is given but correct patient, correct dose. Good thing you only have 4 patients which is convenient and you can personally watch over them closely.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

Huh. Seems a bit harsh then I nothing bad came of it. And if it was just a timing issue. But I wouldn't want to work for a company who didn't support me.

And yes 4 patients isn't too bad but it was a cardiac step down unit so 4 patients was plenty when they were fresh lobectomy with chest tube, fresh heart Cath with groin checks, amio/dopamine/heparin drips etc.

I learn from mistakes and I'm sure you will too!! Just get somewhere with a better support system for a new nurse! Look at this as a positive opportunity.

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I learn from mistakes and I'm sure you will too!! Just get somewhere with a better support system for a new nurse! Look at this as a positive opportunity.

Thanks. I will. I will not let this be my bad ass downfall. I stumbled and I will get up.

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I made a med error in my first couple weeks of working, and no one said anything. We filled out the report and charting associated, but no one gave me crap. In fact, i came in for my next shift and the nurse told me that the patient who i had given the wrong med to had "to get sent out bc she was having a seizure or something..." my face went white, then he said, "im just screwing with you, she's fine." ha! They were all very understanding, i cant imagine if they punished me for a mistake after a super brief orientation and the insane assignments that we're given. They were not fair to you, and its a shame that they acted like suspending you would do anything to help the situation. You werent being lazy or negligent, you made a mistake like everyone does. That kind of response to a med error breeds nothing but low morale and possible omission of future mistakes. Don't worry, there are better work environments out there!

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I can't believe that you were written up after one month of nursing experience. It is absolutely absurd. If I were you I would get the heck away from that facility asap. Every nurse has made a rookie mistake and believe me you will never make it again. Brush it off as a lesson learned and continue to grow and learn in this awesome field.

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