I have been a charge nurse on my unit for quite a while now. There is a particular nurse who has been there for many years. She is very knowlegdeable, has very good clinical skills and interacts well with patients and their families.
Management is aware that she is continuously breaking a particular rule. (I don't wish to elaborate, all I will say is that it has nothing to do with patient care or safety. I even created a new identity on allnurses in fear of somebody figuring out who I am.) Management wants me to catch her (it wouldn't be difficult) and write her up. Violating this rule is a dismissable offense. I don't agree that it should even warrant a suspension, but a rule's a rule. The fact of the matter is that she refuses to follow it. I think to myself, "Why can't she just abide by it to avoid consequences?" But she has been a nurse for many years and she is set in her ways.
I am dreading having to do this because if I catch her, I know what the end result will be. I hate to see an otherwise good nurse lose her job over something this trivial. I feel even worse because a few years back she helped cover my butt in a sticky situation, and she also taught me some neat tricks and shortcuts.
I am afraid if I overlook this or turn my head the other way when I see her do this, management will reprimand me for doing nothing. I know I CANNOT tell her because she might go off on them and she will probably accuse management of trying to get rid of older nurses. What do I do? Should I give subtle hints to her to stop it? :uhoh21: Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
