Written warning for something I did not do! Feeling beat down by DON!

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I recently received a written warning from my DON and ADON which I refused to sign. The photocopied MAR's that we're attached to the warning were from two different patients.

First: Norton scale to be done by the 7-3 staff

Second: weekly skin checks to be done every Wednesday on the 3-11 shift.

I refused to sign the warning because I've only done one shift on that floor which was this past week on Monday 3-11. I told them it was not fair that I should get a warning because the nurses on the 7-3 shift haven't been signing off the norton scale as done and they haven't been signing off as doing weekkly skin checks on Wednesday. I don't work the 7-3 shift and I was not there any of the Wednesday's from 3-11. How is it right that I should get a written warning if they weren't even supposed to be done on my shift. The DON said I should've caught the missed signings and brought it to their attention. First off, I work in a Rehab/long term care facility where I have 30 patients with extremely heavy med passes that include a ridiculous amount of narcotics, extremely time consuming. We get many new admissions, discharges, orders, lots of treatments done. We're told we need to take a break, if we need help someone should cover us so we can take a break (keep in mind we currently don't have a 3-11 supervisor). I typically clock out for break and return to working during my break so I don't get written up. I'm at work anywhere from an hour to two hours past my shift just so I can document all meds given, finish my treatments and chart. How can they expect me to flip through every chart to look for my coworkers errors?!? Yes, if I come across something glaring I take the appropriate steps to correct the error. Shouldn't it be the supervisors/managements job to find missed initials? I don't feel like this is my responsibility and feel it's unfair that I'm being punished for someone else's mistake! I made this very clear to them and the DON and ADON response was that it's sloppy and lazy nursing. They refused to take back the warning even though I didn't make a mistake and said it would still go in my file! I feel like I'm being targeted and harassed by them. I literally started shaking and tearing up while having the conversation. Help!

Has anyone had a similar experience or advice?!

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I would start your job search yesterday. Your ADON/DON have time for THIS, but can't step onto the floor to help get things done? Let's deal in reality here: time management can only go so far. At SOME point, the amount of work WILL exceed hours in your shift. They have nursing licenses, no? The nursing buck (should) stop there, no? So if a skin assessment doesn't get done, there's no reason they can't do it. Granted admin can get swamped... but in THIS case, again they had time to write the warning, track you down and discuss it. The skin assessment could have been done in a fraction of that time.

Also, stop working off the clock. This is an illegal labor practice!! Their writeups DO NOT TRUMP FEDERAL LAW. Either your DON/ADON are ignorant or they are comfortable breaking the law... personally I have no use for admin who is guilty of either.

Hugs!!

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

And did they write up every nurse between Wednesday and Monday for not doing the skin assessment? If so, their poor use of time is downright egregious.

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You're absolutely right! I've been there nine months and she's only ever offered to help once. This is my first job out of nursing school and some of my coworkers are amazing and some are out right cruel. Hope to right fit soon!

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Thank you for the great advice! They love to cover up when their butts are on the line but not ours...

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Just from what you wrote, it sounds like they are targeting you for some other reason. If your workload is that heavy, I can't believe they'd actually risk losing you over a documentation issue. So, either there's more to the story here, or there is something going on they aren't telling you about. I would start looking for a different job while you still have one.

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Specializes in Case Manager/Administrator.

I would look for another job. I would also keep my time sheet and assignment for those days you discussed. I would after this has been in my file ask the Administrator to remove it from my file and go to the labor board if they do not. All the while I would be looking for a new job but continue to ensure this would be expunged from my record. If they do not then I would write a letter and have them add the letter I wrote to my file. Most SNF do have the 1800 I hate my boss phone number ...call it. Do not put up with the bullies, they need a scape goat if it continues and you are it!

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You are being targeted and harassed. Start looking. When you have a new job lined up, leave.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
Just from what you wrote, it sounds like they are targeting you for some other reason. If your workload is that heavy, I can't believe they'd actually risk losing you over a documentation issue. So, either there's more to the story here, or there is something going on they aren't telling you about. I would start looking for a different job while you still have one.

No, here's the deal: They don't CARE whether the skin checks get done. They only care that the square is initialed that it was done. That is because when the state investigates, they look for the initials. The state investigators do not inspect anyone's skin. As long as the squares are initialed, everyone is happy. Unless someone has skin breakdown. Then they throw the nurse under the bus for falsified charting.

Just break the law, practice poor nursing and keep your fingers crossed! What could go wrong? Yes, please start looking for a new job yesterday.

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Just from what you wrote, it sounds like they are targeting you for some other reason. If your workload is that heavy, I can't believe they'd actually risk losing you over a documentation issue. So, either there's more to the story here, or there is something going on they aren't telling you about. I would start looking for a different job while you still have one.

All these little random acts of evil serve a purpose. They keep people on eggshells, distract everyone from focusing on the ethical issue of poor staffing, and in general are used to maintain the power structure.

Plus, they get to find out who will tolerate what. They don't care so much about the possibility of losing any one person; the overall goal is to be left with employees who feel powerless and thus toe the line appropriately.

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Yeah you work in a dump. For some reason (who knows why) they are targeting you. Do yourself a favor and spend your energies looking for a new job instead of trying to figure out what motivated them to target you. Don't get me wrong you are a professional and that means you have to look at your part in this but you are not going to get any insight from them obviously. One thing you can reflect on is finding a better job fit in your search. Presently you are still employed so you should be able to pay your bills so be a little selective. Don't leave this bad situation for a new one down the street

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Wow. My heart goes out to you. This sounds incredibly close to a job I once was working. The DON had it out for me and watched me like a helicopter mom. I later learned from the medical director that the DON "Is not your friend." I loved this job but she made it too difficult to enjoy it any longer. I put the word out I was looking for new work in the local medical network and found another career in little time. Although I enjoyed my old job, I absolutely love my new career. I suggest you do the same. If you are not happy with where you are it is called work. If you enjoy what you are doing it is called a career. You are a nurse and you are smart. Take the clinical skills you have learned and use them to help others in an environment where you are appreciated.

I made the change and it was hard to do. I am glad I did this as I now have better benefits and make more money. The change involved a completely different field on nursing, one that I never considered in the past. My employer and my coworkers appreciate me and support me.

Continue to pursue getting this write up dropped. You might want to consider speaking to someone on the board of directors about this as they could be an ally in this. Remember that they are covering their anatomy and want all the I's dotted and T's crossed. They have selected you to be the remedy for this. Someone on the board may recognize this as their reputation is on the line also when it comes to state inspections.

It is not healthy for you to break down into tears at your employment. This will eventually alter your mental and physical status and you may become compromised. If your employment becomes as stressful as nursing school it is time to move on. You are a nurse and you are strong. Use your skills where they are appreciated. My heart goes out to you. :D

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