Written warning for a care plan written prior to my employment

[LTCNS]

I just started my new job as a MDS nurse with this facility 3 weeks ago (Have 15 years MDS experience) and this morning I was called into the DON's office and given a written warning over a care plan that had not been changed to reflect this particular patient had had both legs amuptated back in September, so another MDS had been done since then AND another care plan, but was not updated to reflect this change, nor was a significant change in status done.

I signed it, stated I understood, and just went back to the office and cried. Maybe I'm making too much out of it, but I fail to see why it is my fault that this care plan had not been updated for 5 months.

I guess I just needed to vent. Moving on and trying to stay out of trouble.

[curiousauntie]

Yes, I signed it like an idiot. I was basically told "It's your problem now. You inherited it." I do understand their logic. I really do. I just don't understand why it's just now an issue when it should have been addressed over 5 months ago.

They were two months behind when I started, and this particular MDS is just now due, so although I have only skimmed through the care plan, I have opened the MDS in the system and have interviewed the resident. I just don't understand how it wasn't care planned the day he came back from the hospital after having both legs amputated. The nurse who had him, the DON, the Unit Manager? Why wasn't a significant change done then by the other MDS nurse? Why wait all these months? I'm just trying to wrap my head around the reasoning.

There's no reasoning except they needed a scapegoat to show they addressed the problem. You need to write a statement that can be attached to the write up stating your 3 weeks of employment, that the mds is just now due and how you plan to address his changes.

Never just sign a write up and leave. Always write out your side of the incident. If you are too upset at the time, write on the comment area to see attached statement, go calm down and write the statement before the end of that day.