reporting a collegue

[sax_journey]

Hello I am hoping for some advice about a difficult situation at work.

I am RN in aged care facility. I have a colleague (another RN) whom I have witnessed be physically and verbally abusive to elderly residents. This makes me sick. I have also seen her sedate residents with medications they are not prescribed. I feel I need to report this, it can not continue to go on.

However she has warned me already it is only my word against hers. She also has threatened if I speak up that she will report me for a mistake I made a few weeks ago. One of my residents was prescribed a med that came in enteric coated form, he could not swallow it, so I borrowed from another residents meds a crushable form of the tablet. It was same drug and same dose so I didn't think it would make a difference, but I do realize now it was the wrong thing to do. I realize I made the mistake and deserve to be reported for it, but I am scared of losing my job over this event.

I know I have to report this RN, as I owe it to the residents in my care, but I do love my job and don't want to lose it. Could I be fired for this mistake? I suppose I have no choice and will have to take my chance, but I am curious to know?

I am also not sure how to go about reporting this abuse. Do I speak to my manager, or put it in writing what I have witnessed? It is only my word against hers, I have no evidence, will my complaint even be taken seriously? The other RN has been working for the facility a lot longer than I have. If they don't believe me then the only thing I will accomplish is getting myself in trouble, and making the other RN really angry. But I must do something to protect my residents. What is the best way to go about this?

Thank you for your help J

Skye

I

[HarryPotter]

Hi. I agree with all that has been said. I hope by now you have gotten all this straightened out. That you have reported her, that you have realized you are doing the right thing, that you are not going to be threatened. Let us know how all this turns out.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

thank you for your advice. you are right i should have reported immediatly. there is no excuse. i can not understand why i did not do this either. it is unforgivable. i cant change it now, but i can report it now and make sure she can not do this again. i have now written everything down. i will try to find out if any other nurses have seen similar things happen. i know it is wrong to be concerned for my job. i must protect the residents, this is number one priority. by keeping quiet i am just as guilty as she is.

thankyou all for taking time to respond

You're doing the right thingnow and you can feel good about it. As was said above, don't beat yourself up.

Also, come clean about that mistake she wants to report you for. So when she does report you the management can say "we're already aware of that situtation".

Keep in touch.

[Sweetness]

Sorry to hear of your situation. Try and find out if there is a "corporate compliance" number at your work. We used to have an 800 number where you could anonymously report such issues. Also, don't let her threaten you. I think that the situation could be considered "whistle blowing", so there are laws in place to protect you. Also consider the weight of the situation. She's verbally, and physically abusing residents. She's giving unprescribed medications etc.

Good Luck!