I came in this morning the first thing I do was to go to the nursing unit to get the appointment book, so I could make appointments for the new weekend admissions to see their doctors.

The book was closed, on the desk at the nursing station. There was nothing out of ordinary about it. Remember this information.

About 20 minutes later, I had a nurse asking me if I knew about a resident (we'll call him Mr. Smith for sake of anonymity) having an appointment today. I told her I did not know about it. The nurse replied that the appointment information was in the appointment book, which was at the nursing station - open on the desk, with the page flagged. Go look.

Well, I can't look. Because I took the book off the desk already. But when I grabbed it, it was closed with no flagged page.

The nurse from last night had written her report to the morning shift on another, separate piece of paper, and the nurse I was speaking to showed me the doctor's name, so I could call the office. Then she showed me the date in the discharge paperwork from the hospital, that did, indeed, say Mr. Smith had an appointment for today.

I called Mr. Smith's wife first, to ask if she knew about the appointment. She did not, but she didn't want to pay for an aide or transportation, so she was going to take him herself. She asked me to reschedule to a more convenient time for her, which I did. For later in the week.

Problem solved, right? WRONG.

An hour later, in comes my boss AND the Administrator, who are both livid. A huge debacle ensues, where in she is adamant that I laid eyes on that paper, why the hell is it missing, and "someone is lying" (with clear, stink eye in my direction).

Then we went from being accused of this bullshit, to now they're suddenly nit-picking EVERYTHING in the appointment book, including one appointment date a nurse had written down wrong, I scratched out, and then wrote the correct date NEXT to. "Why did you scratch this out? Why was it rescheduled for later?"

Clearly that was more proof I'm a fuck up  - so to vindiacte myself, I called THAT doctor's office, too, who had no record of the incorrect date ever being an actual appointment. I had my administrator listen to their receptionist say this, so I could prove it.

Apparently they were running into a meeting and I was told "we're going to discuss all this later", and they both walked away.

My take on it is this:

1.) HEY! I never laid eyes on that paper, assholes.

2.) There are about 10 people who could have dealt with said paper between when it was put in the book and when I picked up the book.

3.) The dates in the book currently are all chronological. If a page was missing, why are the dates in order? Shouldn't there be a gap?

My boss keeps asking me how the nurses knew about the appointment if the paper wasn't in the book, which I have no answer for, either. I'm not DENYING the existence of the paper, I'm just telling you I never laid eyes on it.

I have no idea how the fuck to even deal with this one, I really don't. It comes down to "he said, she said" and they're adamant the finger needs to be pointed at me.

We need to keep a rolling count of how many times I say: "I'm pretty sure I'm about to be fired", here.

If you're having to make calls with bosses listening in to be considered credible, the job's all but gone IMO.

Sorry, Luci. That blows.

I didn't have to. I wanted to, because she's asking me questions I didn't have answers for. "Why did you cross this out and write another date? Why was it rescheduled to the 20th and then reschedule to the 15th if he had an appointment on the 13th?"

Well, I scheduled the the 20th - I was told was too far out, so I REschedule that for the 15th, but as far as the scratched out date? No clue. It's not my writing, and I don't know what's up with that.

She started to make it sound like I was trying to cover something up (possibly still being pissed off from this Papergate, which she was still investigating), so I called the office, who says an appointment for the 13th NEVER existed. Which means a nurse fucked it up, which is why it was crossed out.

This is my problem why?

Damn, I'm sorry Luci. 

(((Luci))) my sun/jupiter would be out of there long ago, I don't know how your Leo is standing the impugning.

I need a paycheck and thus far nothing else has panned out. I can't leave until I have another job lined up - says Saturn in Libra.

Have I yet said how GREAT it is to 'see' you more regularly, Luci? [It really is!]

Being called (or insinuated that I am) a liar is huge hot button for me. I'm a lot of things--not all of them pretty and bright...but a liar ain't one of 'em...

Based on past & present information at hand, I'd be leaning toward using this to put a stake in the ground with these ladies...A "DMZ" if you will.

"Before we continue the discussion, I would like to clearly understand what is the purpose and goal? What are we attempting to resolve or achieve? If there is a problem with the current process that needs to change...or if there was an error with how the current process was handled that needs to be addressed, then great--let's get some resolution and get on with it.

Otherwise, I must be frank--it's starting to feel like I'm being scapegoated into accepting responsibility for something that was never in my control. An error that, once it *was* identified, I was able to coordinate and communicate and successfully resolve as a matter of fact.

So, what is the goal of continuing this conversation? I would like to be able to participate in a productive and meaningful way. Thanks."

CP. you rule. I wish I had the memory to throw that all out verbatim - or be that calm and collected in the face of the discussion, to begin with.

luci

Ugh. These people are so motherfucking stupid, you deserve a medal for putting up with this crap day in and day out.

I know you need a paycheque:( I hope your talents are eventually accepted and cherished elsewhere. Here's sending hope something else comes your way.

Heh.  You could always go with Curtain #3, Luci...  ;D

As they yammer on, let your eyes go wider and start to twitch just a bit...At the opportune moment, convulse into a flailing ball of woe onto the floor and being wailing,

"I confess!! I confess!!! Aughhh! Make it STOP!!! PLEASSSSE. Yes! Yes!! I am GUILTY. I killed Kennedy. I performed the autopsies at Area 51!! I also ate your yogurt and took TWO pieces of the coffee cake from the breakroom!! There was this one time that I did NOT wash my hands before returning to work..ohmigawd theguilt...I CONFESS!!"

Then insist on being seen by the oncall nurse and having it written up as a work-related trauma. ;D

[these little fantasy interludes can go a long way to keeping me sane some days]

ROFL!

HR is here. I think I'm being fired. Or else her timing is bad and I'm going to bill worker's comp for the resulting heart attack.

:(

The nurse I had the first conversation with just went into the office and closed the door behind her. So there's her, my boss, HR and the administrator. Not lookin' good.

If that is the case, Luci. I really, really want you to hold your head up high and know that, no matter what, things are all going to work out better than okay for you.  I just know it.

(always darker before the dawn, etc blah blah...)

You be brave.

Nothing. The HR lady left and told the administrator that she'd "be in contact regarding that situation".

Realistically, it could be anything, not necessarily me.

Here's hoping I'm just paranoid.

Well.  Yes.........and no.

Its hard being one of the few sane ones.

oh Luci, I'm so sorry.  You're doing much better than I would, I don't lie to cover myself and I'll go right up to the boss and say "I think I screwed up" and "how can this be fixed".  So to be accused of lying...just makes me see red.

There have been a few times when crafty coworkers tried to fix things retrograde to make it look as if I'd done it.  I had found a mistake someone else had made. The results were not pretty, I was so angry I had to go to the breakroom to calm down.  But dispensing the wrong medication is grounds for immediate firing (rightly so) and I wanted to get to the bottom of what I'd corrected. And determine, once and for all time, it wasn't me.

I kind of got the just let it go vibe...but when my job is threatened, I'm not going to just let it go.  I'll be fired for something I did, no problem.  But I'll be damned if I lose my job over someone elses mistake they're too cowardly to admit.

(((luci)))

I hope it all passes over without further drama, but I also hope you get some kind of closure on it one way or the other so you're not sitting on pins and needles feeling (rightfully) paranoid.

fucking bullshit.  so many people are just awful.

Ugh, I just can't imagine having to work in that kind of paranoia-inducing atmosphere - and so many of you seem have to do it! All the more awful when your personal life ain't perfect.

I sure hope you can get some peace soon girl (and that dog)

(((Luci)))

I know a certain Avatar who works for really cheep catnip.

*BLAM*  "I dunno officer.... one sec she was giggling , next she was needing a major fluid transfusion."

((((Luci))))

I'm so sorry that you have to work in a toxic environment. 

If I understand the scenario correctly, I think that there is some missing info you don't know about.  Reading between the lines from this distance, sounds like there was something going on with this nurse - maybe where she was being scruntized for something.  Now this little issue comes up and she sees an opportunity to do some smoke and mirrors to deflect attention from her issue.

Just sounds like a big hullabaloo over a minor incident instigated by this nurse.   My hunch--- 

your boss is the one who made the huge stink, right? 

UGH.  Every time you write about that place it makes my blood boil, Luci.  It's no wonder you're so worked up about it, it pisses me off and I'm not even there!

What happened to the dispatch gig, if you don't mind me asking?

same thing as SaD said.  Your boss seems to thrive on chaos and negativity.

I hope things change for you soon. That's no place to go to every day.... To be treated like that.

I can't stand being pegged a liar when I'm not! I amputated a friend once for this. This means either you don't care about me enough to like me or have a good opinion of me or it means you think you know everything!

The truth is always the truth.... You need a dose of confidence and try not to react to their agressive behavior.  Zen.. water..

I hope everything settled down for you!  Sounds like someone was trying to throw you under the bus to take the heat off.  The loudest one making the stink is usually the culprit!

((luci))

CP always rules!  Perhaps you could print her advice off and keep it stashed in your purse for when these moments arise? haha

Seriously everytime you tell these work stories, it is such a horrid place full of people who like to blame others for all of their own ills.  One day the right job is going to come along and you'll be out of there.  Best to keep working on the skills that enable you to deal with these idiots.  At least it keeps you well prepared for other idiots who will come along in your future.