What is your disciplinary process?

[agirlandherdogs]

Hi Everyone,

I realize this post could go in many areas due to the complexity. I'll try to explain it clearly and briefly.

Question -- when a nurse, or in my case a student nurse is accused of doing something which causes extremely harsh consequences when does your discipline policy allow for review of where the data on who performed this skill is allowed --

the skill - a bath

the consequence - failure

issue - I was not the one that performed the skill, and if you look at my prior feedback extremely high marks on skill, competency, confidence etc ... in the same "report" of this issue the instructor also commented on my high ability to perform a complex IV/push/PBIV scenario of which I "performed with exceptional ability"

If this was your employee, nurse, or student at what step in the process would it be checked who indeed gave patient x a bath on that particular day?

Who is the appropriate person that would verify this data?

I realize all of the factors with HIPAA but as a student nurse who helps us out. I am finding that at my school it is no one.

I do not want copies of anything, nothing more than someone able to say Yes I gave patient X the bath or No -- everything as should be is charted on electronic documentation at this particular hospital --

I am told the only way is to subpeona the document. I do have a lawyer involved -- as my disability was also highlighted in this report (ADHD). And the lawyer is taking a discrimination stance, yet if we don't file a formal court case we can't subpeona this information. Filing the case is dependent on what that says -- so where does one go?

I appreciate any advice or help!

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

first we have a meeting with the nurse.. and counsel them, educate to protocol .. and they sign a write up... if it happens again ..you are a level 2 and that's a dismissal... you come in for a meeting and are let go.. at that last meeting there is usually HR there and security.. you are walked out.. security is there to watch you empty out your locker and gather your belongings and they make sure you leave...

this just happened last week to a IMC nurse.. it sends a message .. " you could be next" ... eeek... i don't think this would happen over a bath ... it has to be worse than that...

that is our protocol... every hospital is different.. is this about a student not giving a bath? the primary nurse would know if the student gave the bath or not.. even the pt can answer.... i always chart bed bath given and linens changed.... or something to that effect... i don;t think the school would kick you out for failing bathing would they?

your attorney would answer questions about obtaining nurses notes from the chart... ... i'm sorry we can't give legal advice.. your lawyer should kow where to go from here..

he can answer all your legal questions... keep us posted on how you do !!

[DeepFriedRN]

I work at a union hospital, so it's a standard verbal warning, 1st-2nd-final write up and then you're fired. For a serious issues (such as abuse or diversion) there are obviously differences (handled more quickly), but that's what happens in a nutshell..For a student however, it might be in your best interest to check in your student handbook, doesn't it lay out the rules there?