suspension

[bradleau]

This is a new field for me, being suspended for at least two shifts until my department head gets back from vacation. Here is what happened according to the assistant department head. I was getting ready for work when the cat jumped on the bed and threwup on my scrub top. I had to be on the job in 45 min. so I put on a T-Shirt (brand new) that had 4 embroidered misquitos on the top by the neck line and the words "bite me" just below. We are required to wear blue or white, not a mix. Also things like T-shirts, prints, etc. are considered "no-no's", though exception has been made many times for staff. It was not much of a choice as I did not have anything else to wear. The T-shirt was Ceil blue and plain except for that little bit of decor. What happened is a patient who saw it has become upset. The only time that I was in this patients room was to co-sign and witness a new Dilaudid syringe being put into his PCA. I did not take direct care of this person. The first time I did this, he was alone. I did hear him ask the primary nurse to give him a bolus ( which she did not do as he had used all of his up). He was getting 5.9 mg an hour. PCA plus a basal rate. The second time his wife was in there with him. She made a comment about my T-shirt saying "bite me" was her exact feeling. I may have mentioned that a co-worker got this for me. ( I like to camp out a lot, though I do not usually get bit by insects). According to my department assistant, the patient has become VERY upset telling everyone about it who comes into the room. I was on Thursday night but only on Sunday did he get upset. I remember that the second time I had to go into that pt's room, the wife was there. She seemed either stressed or upset but did not say anything. Her husband appeared to be well controlled regarding the pain, so I do not know if anything else happened. But what UPSETS ME, is the accusation, and basically being hung out to dry with out a trial or judge JUST ON A PT BEING UPSET. If I had any idea that this would upset anyone, I would have called in late. Or asked the supervisor for a scrub top that would not fit appropiately. I have followed dress code for all the the 16 + years that I have worked at this hospital. Can't say that for several of the other co-workers on the floor. I guess it makes no difference how good of a nurse, how experienced, how compassionate I am. Nor does it make a difference how often I go the extra, extra mile for my patients safety and comfort. I feel that there is an some thing else going on and this patient is fixating on my T-Shirt. I have been a nurse since 1974. Only one other time I was suspended. Two patients with major psych issues overheard my charge nurse saying that we were short staffed. Baths would come later. (The pt's interpeted it to being refused a bath) I did set them up 30 min. later. I was still suspended, even though my charge nurse wrote a letter telling them it was HER , NOT I who spoke those words. She was never reprimanded. The moral of that incident was to NEVER SAY YOU ARE SHORT STAFFED. We had one RN and myself( who was an LPN at that time)for 24 patients at 5 am. I was given the back pay that was loss, but the personal hurt that came from that incident makes this one even worse. Now, I would like to hear other opinions. Do you feel that I should be punished for this error in dress? My supervisor commented how cute it was, and one of my other patients liked it as well. I did try to keep it covered up with my scrub jacket being snapped in front ( most of the time). This is a major loss in pay. It is things like this that makes one want to QUIT the nursing field. Sleeping on the job, doing personal business on company hours is not always punished in this fashion, it is ONLY when patients or family complain. I know that I work hard, help others when needed, and KNOW THAT I AM AN EXCELLENT NURSE. But I need other's insite on this matter, too. Sorry for the long note...got to speak out to someone. Thanks

[jmgrn65, RN]

I am sorry for what you have gone through, it was poor judgement to wear the shirt, but having said that I don't think the punishment doled out was necessary. THe most IMHO is that you were talked to, I think if i were you I would be making sure your i's are dotted and t's are crossed. Someone may want you out, or not. They may have been overzealous because of patient c/o but you still have to defend your nurses as well as keep the patients happy. Good Luck

[vamedic4, EMT-P]

I'm very sorry to hear of your suspension, it seems unwarranted at best. However, having said that, technically you did violate the dress code. But hospital personnel in charge (ie charge nurse/ nursing supervisor) could very easily have found you a scrub top (as you said...an "ill fitting one") in order to keep you in compliance with the dress code.

As usual, it seems that administration completely missed the point and "made a mountain out of a molehill" so to speak. And the one's who DO the work are the one's who suffer. I'm sorry to hear about your situation. If I were you I'd contact HR and find out the particulars of this dress code, and make sure you have clean scrubs from now on. We all know that administration won't change (bcuz they're always right)...so we have to be the bigger people and do the changing.

Perhaps you could keep a spare set of scrubs in your bag, locker,...even in your car in the event something like this happens again?? Just a thought.

Try not to dwell on it...and try to enjoy your two day "vacation". You tried to do the right thing, and that's all you can do.

vamedic4

not so hot in Texas today

[SweetieRN]

As the owner of a cat that barfs all the time - I understand completely:barf01: But wearing a shirt that says "bite me" is not appropriate for any staff member. I do think that the punishment was a bit harsh, however. Perhaps you should keep a spare clean scrub top in case of emergencies

[JBudd, MSN]

If exceptions have been made in many cases before, there is no excuse for a two day suspension. I have a feeling your department head will have a few things to say about this! And the patient's wife said she liked the shirt? He's annoyed at her, wants drugs, and is taking it out on you. IMO you deserve back pay! I would definitely pursue this.

[southern_rn_brat]

is this a joke?? you wore a tshirt to work that said "biteme" and wonder why you were reprimanded??

[bradleau]

So far I have been suspended until I hear otherwise. I have not been told anything except by phone. I understand that I can be suspended on the spot if endangering a patient. This did not happen. Also policy states that I am to be seen and talked to FIRST. This did not happen. Thanks for your input.

[bradleau]

It is not a joke. Is there something in the Bite Me that is dirty? From what I have since heard....I guess there is. I am usually the LAST to figure it out. I looked at this as daring the bugs to bit....not anything else. So did the nurse who gave it to me as a gift, and another co worker. Thanks for your input.

[bradleau]

This was my last shift of the week, so laundry had not been done. Guess I could have pulled one out of the laundry basket. I wear my uniform only once, so I have three uniforms for the 12 + hr shifts/ 3 nights a week.

Thanks for your reponse. I will update hopefully with good news in a few days.

[bradleau]

Yes, It was poor judgement to wear the shirt. I could have called in, or something along that line and be late. But I do take very strong responsiblity in showing up on time, ALWAYS early to get my work papers in order. I just did not think anything about the shirt once I got busy. The supervisor did not either. Live and learn. Thanks

[skipaway]

It is not a joke. Is there something in the Bite Me that is dirty? From what I have since heard....I guess there is. I am usually the LAST to figure it out. I looked at this as daring the bugs to bit....not anything else. So did the nurse who gave it to me as a gift, and another co worker. Thanks for your input.

Bite me is more disrespectful than dirty. Check out the Urban Dictionary and type in Bite me in the search engine. It will give you the colloquial meaning of Bite Me. I can see how the patient may have been upset.

urbandictionary.com

[RunnerRN, BSN, RN]

No, there is nothing dirty about "Bite Me" BUT it just isn't an appropriate choice for professional work attire. It sounds like the punishment was a little harsh for the crime, but hopefully things will be straightened out soon.

I also work 3 shifts/week, but I have about 5 scrub tops and an equal number of pants. That way I am sure to have a clean one. I used to have 6, but one got eaten by my dog. I would consider this a lesson learned, and continue on my way (assuming the overreaction gets straightened out).