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.
If I were caught leaving a med at the bedside, I would expect to be written up.
There are consequences to breaking the rules.
As far as I'm concerned it doesn't matter if it was a senna, or an Ambien.
In the interest of full disclosure, I have left a pill at the bedside before. It leaves me feeling anxious for all the reasons listed on this thread. Had I been reported, I would have explained my rationale for the break in protocol, but it wouldn't have excused it.
To everyone who responded, thanks! I appreciate all of your comments. I didn't even read through all of them because there were so many! But, I have definitely learned from this, and have not done this practice since then. The reason I posted this rant is b/c as a normal human being, when we are criticized, we resent the person who does and initially feel frustrated, even if the mistake is our own- not because I want to blame someone else for my mistake.
The reason I was laughing is because some of the comments I've received are very judgemental- and my response to those comments really is nothing but laughter- you sit behind your computer screen and type out words and presumptions about me and my core values as an RN when you have not even seen/met/spoken to me in person!
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
To everyone who responded, thanks! I appreciate all of your comments. I didn't even read through all of them because there were so many! But, I have definitely learned from this, and have not done this practice since then. The reason I posted this rant is b/c as a normal human being, when we are criticized, we resent the person who does and initially feel frustrated, even if the mistake is our own- not because I want to blame someone else for my mistake.
The reason I was laughing is because some of the comments I've received are very judgemental- and my response to those comments really is nothing but laughter- you sit behind your computer screen and type out words and presumptions about me and my core values as an RN when you have not even seen/met/spoken to me in person!
To everyone who responded, thanks! I appreciate all of your comments. I didn't even read through all of them because there were so many! But, I have definitely learned from this, and have not done this practice since then. The reason I posted this rant is b/c as a normal human being, when we are criticized, we resent the person who does and initially feel frustrated, even if the mistake is our own- not because I want to blame someone else for my mistake.
The reason I was laughing is because some of the comments I've received are very judgemental- and my response to those comments really is nothing but laughter- you sit behind your computer screen and type out words and presumptions about me and my core values as an RN when you have not even seen/met/spoken to me in person!
Have a great day everyone! :)
So actually you DON'T appreciate all the comments because you didn't even bother to read all of them, and then any which didn't validate your position are labeled as "judgmental."
When you post a question on a widely read forum, you need to be able to accept that you will receive all manner or responses.
"If you can't handle the answer, don't ask the question."
Specializes in Med-Surg; Infectious Diseases; Research.
Personally, I would have written you up AND have you sit through an in-service of my choosing about proper medication administration. In addition to unsafe medication practice, such actions leave the facility wide open for a law-suit. From the manager's perspective, it's a patient safety issue, nurse competence issue and facility liability issue. You can never assume anything when it comes to meds. What if another resident walked by and took the pill? What if another resident walked by, attempted to take the pill and choked? The family member was probably thinking, "if this is done with me sitting right here, then what else is done when I'm gone?" And she would be perfectly fair to think that way. Your manager had no way to defend you because how would he/she know whether you do this with other, more dangerous meds? And I would have involved the CNA as well because he/she was operating outside of a CNA's scope of practice. The CNA would have been written up too.
To everyone who responded, thanks! I appreciate all of your comments. I didn't even read through all of them because there were so many! But, I have definitely learned from this, and have not done this practice since then. The reason I posted this rant is b/c as a normal human being, when we are criticized, we resent the person who does and initially feel frustrated, even if the mistake is our own- not because I want to blame someone else for my mistake.
The reason I was laughing is because some of the comments I've received are very judgemental- and my response to those comments really is nothing but laughter- you sit behind your computer screen and type out words and presumptions about me and my core values as an RN when you have not even seen/met/spoken to me in person!
Have a great day everyone! :)
Kettle meet pot.
Your response is the epitome of that which you profess.
imintrouble, BSN, RN
2,406 Posts
If I were caught leaving a med at the bedside, I would expect to be written up.
There are consequences to breaking the rules.
As far as I'm concerned it doesn't matter if it was a senna, or an Ambien.
In the interest of full disclosure, I have left a pill at the bedside before. It leaves me feeling anxious for all the reasons listed on this thread. Had I been reported, I would have explained my rationale for the break in protocol, but it wouldn't have excused it.