Would You Report Me for This?

[cupquake]

Hello fellow nurses. I have something to get off my chest, and I cannot discuss this with coworkers so I sought out all of your opinions. FYI: I am a new grad RN, currently working in LTC for about 7 months.

A few months ago, during a med pass at 5 pm (supper), I left a pill in the pill cup next to a resident who normally will take the pill, if not, the aide will help her take it (it was senokot). When I left it there, I acknowledged to the resident that I am leaving a pill beside her and would like her to take it. A family member of another resident sitting at the same table, saw this and commented "She won't remember to take that," in a very rude manner. In response to her hostile personality, I was firm and told her "She usually does take the pill, if she does not, I will follow up and be back to make sure she does". I left saying this and administered pills to the other residents at this time. I came back to the same table while giving a pill to another resident sitting on the same table as this family member and the original person I left the pill beside, I asked the aide "did A.I. take the pill?". The aide responded and said yes. I then proceeded to administer the crushed pills to another resident while waiting for her to finish IN FRONT OF this family member.

This family member then went to my director and reported me for inappropriate medication administration. I was written up for something that did not even result in harm or distress for a resident. I was disciplined for "leaving a medication beside a resident that has dementia," instead of waiting 5 minutes to help her take it, I proceeded to admin meds to the other 30 residents before time runs out.

I honestly feel like this is unfair. Also, my director was very strict and had a look of no mercy when telling me that this is just "unacceptable practice". Also, the family member who reported me has a history of issues with many co-workers, and the management team knows that.

So, tell me, give me your honest feedback. Would you write me up for this? I feel a sense of indignation towards my director.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

I know everyone has opinion of how it should be handle. Rudeness doesnt cut it for some of the comments. Anyway, glad we had this discussion. I am sure cupquake learned too.You guys have a nice day. Hope to debate or agree with guys in a different discussion. Just when u have a chance read all the comments.

There's no debate to be had. It's black & white. You were the only one rude when you starting yelling.

The OP came & asked for opinions from everyone here & that's what she got, plain & simple.

You might not like what the other poster's said or how blunt they were about it but that's you.

Once again, I have read all the comments from beginning to end.

[anayo, DNP, APRN, NP]

Then u are blind my friend. But I am done too. Deuces.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

Then u are blind my friend. But I am done too. Deuces.

Well isn't that mature if you.

I'm not blind, I just don't take offense easily. Especially when the OP asked for advice in the first place.

[Nurse Leigh]

I would feel better if OP came back and said she'd read through the responses and given the situation some reflection and realizes she made a potentially dangerous mistake. If it has dawned on her that she was in the wrong but realizes now she handled things poorly and mgmt was correct in writing her up she might garner some respect from PPs.

Even those of us who have never worked in LTC or facilities with such massive med passes can appreciate the pressure she us under, and some posters may offer her advice on how to improve her practice.

We know we all make mistakes - the tone of responses received here regarding such posts tend to be guided by OP's willingness to take responsibility and improve.

[AcuteHD]

FTW. :)

I had to look up FTW. I assume you meant the For The Win usage, lol.

Urban Dictionary: FTW

[Farawyn]

I had to look up FTW. I assume you meant the For The Win usage, lol.

Urban Dictionary: FTW

My Go To I usually definition #2, but I got it.

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

Back on topic please

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

I had to look up FTW. I assume you meant the For The Win usage, lol.

Urban Dictionary: FTW

Lol I did. I didn't know there are other meanings.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

While this is one of they gray areas in practice it is not a gray area in policy. I do leave pills with certain residents, I have a couple that prefer to take their meds with food and I will leave their pills with them while they are waiting for the meal tray to arrive. But, as I know these residents prefer to take their meds later I did get an order from the rounding MD that states "OK to take medications independently after set up from nurse." This also required filling out a self administer assessment. But without that order to self administer in place and the assessment that shows it is safe to do so yes, this is indeed an offense that you can and probably should be written up for.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Wrong guys....Obviously, some people forgot what it is like to be a new nurse. Anyway, cupquake, I know you are appreciative by some comments and startled by some that why you are absent, but its gonna be ok. Learn from this mistake and be the best nurse you can be. If you can accept your current mistake and future mistakes then I know you will be awesome nurse in the near future. But pls dont go online to ask for this type of advice, because some people can be unreasonable.Ask a close peer at your facility that you know will tell you the truth and be reasonable at the same time. Thats what I do and my peers do when they ask me for advice.I know sometimes its hard to take crititism. But know that every supervisor/or DON is different. Some give a verbal for first time offenses and other just write you up. Learn my friend, and wish you the best in your nursing career. Have a good day.

I don't think anyone has forgotten what it's like to be a new nurse. But I wonder what about the two posts the OP made has convinced you that she's going to go on and be an awesome nurse in the near future. Because I for one have a bit of difficulty with the fact that she doesn't seem to have learned anything from the experience.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Like I said read all the comments guys.

I've read all the comments . . . didn't see anything particularly rude. Blunt, yes. Straightforward, yes. But not rude.

Your posts don't seem very straightforward, though. You seem to be sugarcoating your advice to the OP.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Then u are blind my friend. But I am done too. Deuces.

What is so difficult about typing out "you"? Text speak is against the Terms of Service.