Hi Anita,

I got some tablets for the gastro and gave been sleeping. I am going back to work tomorrow.  It is a staff meeting day.

I telephoned the organisations On-Call manager as the mistake happened on the weekend. She didn’t say MUCH to begin with. I told her that I had been made aware if the error, and that I was terribly sorry and that I hoped the residents are alright.  I told her I believed that I made the mistake through fatigue.

She told me that she had spoken with staff and had been surprised that it is  the practice for  staff to give medications at 6am and without a witness, as this is not a usual practice.

I told her also that I will not be able to continue ongoing in that position with the current structure if hours- too many 12 hour shifts and sleepovers. I also made her aware that some months ago, the staff at the house had requested a roster review.

She told me that it is unlikely that I will be stood down over the error, and that she needs to speak with management about how such errors can be avoided.

She said she will be speaking with me again, likely Wednesday.

I am glad that I called her today rather than just wait until tomorrow.

Thank you so much Anita. It’s Sunday, 10.40am right now.

I have decided that when I go to work tomorrow cgor yet another 12 hour shift, that I am going to tell the manager this particular job is too much for me because of too many 12 hour shifts and I sleepovers.  I believe it is in my interests in so many ways not to remain in this region situation.  I will simply get more tired as time passes, and make more mistakes which could be worsethan this one and I would then find myself unemployable.  It has been found that most medication errors are created to fatigue.

As I think I mentioned previously, some months ago, the house made a request months ago to review the roster.  I am not the scripts only staff member struggling with the hours.   Also, because of COVID, all health organisations dismissed staff who were not fully vaccinated and this has worsened staff shortages. We don’t  have the same casual bank to draw on when workers and are click or on holidays.

In all honesty, I cannot blame that director my error because when he came to work, I had already made the error.  He does however make it the workplace unpleasant for people when he is at the work. Other workers previously told me that because of they feel tired and stressed, they really can do without his rude and aggressive way of speaking.

Yes, you make a really good point of how we got are all well inter-related and how our actions can affect so many others.

I do get asked to do casual work at other facilities in the organisation.  One place I have worked has asked me to come back numerous times. I have will speak to my manager about doing fixed term contracts on other facilities with fewer sleepovers and 12 hour shifts.  This current job I am doing would have more 12 hour shifts and sleepovers than anywhere I have been.

I will see about the taking leave before I move on, and hopefully I will be get xa date from the hospital very soon.  I will possibly just take the hospital time as sick leave now instead of annual leave.

I’m feeling some relief as I can write this.  It is a relief to admit that I can no longer do this.

We do have a good union and I am a member of it.  There us also a free and confidential counselling service though you do need to book the appointments.  I’m not sure There us a point in it for me just after, as I know what has to be done- reduce my sleepovers and 12 hour shifts.  Most places, people do 1 per fortnight but here I do a couple per week.

As well as being tired, my home has become a mess which is something I dislike quite a lot.  I am too tired for a recreation on my days off so my life often feels as though it has become an existence.

My dear friend Rosemarie passed by yesterday. She told me that a mutual acquaintance saw me at the general store a few days ago, and said she was shocked by how c terrible I look. I had actually thought I looked okay.

Both my dogs got their medications increased this week.  The bigger dog has had pneumonia and also taking antibiotics and Prednisone.  He is almost recovered.  The smaller dog had her fluid  tablets increased which she has to take care of with he a rt medication.  I think she is seeming better too. Not have c.f. to go back for day reviewsthis week.

Its a lively sunny day here.  I will potter and the try and get the basic housework done and rest.

Hopefully, I will get all of this sorted out soon.  Thanks again Anita. You have been such a great help and support I appreciate it. XXXX