Would you do anything about it?

Nurses General Nursing

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I met someone today at a friend's house who said, "I've gotta get back to work. I work at (name of facility). I'm a nurse." I replied with, "oh, I was told you were a nurse's aide." She said, "no, I'm a nurse." I left it at that but I know two different people have said before that this person works as an aide and tells people she's a nurse. By the way, she didn't know that I am a nurse.

When I got home, I looked her up on our State Board's site and she is not listed there and neither is any name close to hers. My state is one of the states that says it's illegal to call yourself a nurse if you do not hold a license as RN or LPN.

Another thing...this friend we were both visiting has the flu. I had gone there to pick up their child so they could rest. While we were there, she told the friend, "make sure you take that Z-Pak I brought you." The friend looked at me and said, "(name of doctor) told me not to take a Z-Pak". So I said, "that's because it's for bacterial infections and the flu is viral". This nurse imposter said, "we give it all the time where I work to our patients with the flu". The sick friend said, looking at me, "so the flu is a virus and not a bacteria". I said, "right, but if you end up with something like a sinus infection secondary to the flu, it may work for that". Sooooooooo, the other thing this woman did today is dispense prescription medication (that she probably stole from work) without a license.:nono:

Would you let these two things go or would you do something?

I think you need to check with the facility she works for, giving her the benefit of doubt. If indeed she is what you suspect I would confront her. If that doesn't work then reporting is the only ethical thing to do. You are not the one doing wrong. On the other hand having a genuine nonjudgemental talk to explain why you are concerned for her future is appropriate and compassionate. If she continues she will get into trouble sooner or later and then will never, ever become a nurse. Nor will she be allowed to work in health care. A heart to heart with out threats is a good first step. Good luck, glad I'm not in your position.

Specializes in TCU, LTC.

Report it. The anti-biotic issue alone needs to be taken care of. This is why we have lovely strains of MRSA, VRE and who knows what else brewing. As I'm sure you all know.

You got to report it. Deep down you know that already, so just do it. You may save someone from harm and actually help this person face some problems.

I wouldn't, but then again, I'm not into reporting anyone. So many times, actions can be misinterpreted. Yesterday, when I was at work, my mom called because my little brother was having some symptoms that she was concerned about. I talked to her about it and told her, "Oh, don't worry, it sounds like it's just the flu." It didn't occur to me until later than any of my coworkers who overheard the conversation would assume I was giving a phone diagnosis to a patient.

Now, I'm not saying this is the case with your friend - honestly, she does sound guilty - but are you one thousand percent sure? It's so easy to make a snap judgment that seems clear as day, but you may end up regretting acting on it. Now, if she was a CNA in your facility and was telling patients she's a nurse and giving out meds, then you would need to step in. But in this situation, I would just let it go.

Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

i wouldn't have any problem calling the facility and narc to her boss on her, especially since you heard her say "i've gotta get back to work. i work at (name of facility). i'm a nurse." and "make sure you take that z-pak i brought you."

first of all, what's she doing off the premises of the facility? most places i worked had strict rules about leaving the facility during breaks. true, many nursing homes allow aides to leave the premises, but only on time that they are clocked out.

second, who gets a z-pak and gives it away? granted, she might have gotten it from her own doctor in the past, but i'm too old, have seen too much and been a supervisor and manager too long. i would have asked her where she got it. if i got a z-pak from a doctor, which is antibiotics, i'd have used it.

as a supervisor and manager i've seen a number of incidents of people who leave work unnoticed and who steal everything but the kitchen sink from employers. it's always amazing when they brag about or flaunt it to others like it's a noble thing to be doing. if she stole that z-pak from the facility, it no doubt came from a patient who will end up paying for it. how is that right? report what you heard her say and let the facility sort out the details. even if she is only a cna, she still has some certification responsibilities that she has to uphold when she interacts with others.

you can verify any cnas certification on your state nurse aide registry as well. you can get a link to it over on one of the "stickys" on the cna-nursing assistant discussion forum or do an internet search for "[your state] nurse aide registry". report her to them also, but based on hearsay your complaint may not go very far.

you can only get into trouble if you report something you are deliberately falsifying. reporting exactly what you heard this goofball saying is your truthful observation and can't get you into trouble. the truth is a defense to any accusation of defamation (in case anyone worries reporting something like this can come back and bite you).

Specializes in OR, MS, Neuro, UC.

Please call the BON and let them investigate this woman and her facility. If she has access to meds she may actually be dispensing at work or who knows what else with the facilities knowledge. I would not call the facility but I would notify the BON or state licensing agency, patients are at risk.

Specializes in Trauma ICU, MICU/SICU.
this needs to be nipped in the bud asap.

call the bon and report it.

leslie

Ditto! Report her to the BON and the BO Pharmacists, while you're at it the Board of Medicine. She is acting (emphasis on acting) as a nurse, pharmacist, and physician and she is none of those things.

Sounds like a right scary individual!

Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

If the medication was a sample,then someone at the facility- doctor, NP, or PA- signed for the medication and is responsible for it. They are supposed to keep a log of where the medication goes.

Even a licensed nurse should not be taking medication out of the sample closet without the direction or permission of a provider (MD/NP/PA).

It's not outside the realm of possibility, but I would be very surprised if this person approached a provider with "My friend/neighbor/sister-in-law has the flu, can I take her a Z-Pack?" and got a "sure, no problem!" type of answer.

I would approach someone at the facility first- a clinic manager, nursing supervisor, or someone else in authority. I expect that they will take care of the problem quickly.

She is playing around with other people's licenses, and even her own facility's ability to continue to operate. They need to know!!

If the medication was a sample,then someone at the facility- doctor, NP, or PA- signed for the medication and is responsible for it. They are supposed to keep a log of where the medication goes.

Even a licensed nurse should not be taking medication out of the sample closet without the direction or permission of a provider (MD/NP/PA).

It's not outside the realm of possibility, but I would be very surprised if this person approached a provider with "My friend/neighbor/sister-in-law has the flu, can I take her a Z-Pack?" and got a "sure, no problem!" type of answer.

I would approach someone at the facility first- a clinic manager, nursing supervisor, or someone else in authority. I expect that they will take care of the problem quickly.

She is playing around with other people's licenses, and even her own facility's ability to continue to operate. They need to know!!

When I worked in a pediatric office, we weren't required to log anything out of the samples closet.

Specializes in med surg.

definately report it

Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

She didn't identify herself as a professional nurse. She didn't claim she is an RN, LPN or LVN. Check the definition of the term "nurse". Any definition you google will be a broad one. Answers.com defines a nurse as "A person who is educated and trained to care for the sick and disabled." That covers a lot of territory. Think of the MA who works at a doctor's office. How often is she/he referred to as the "nurse"? These people have received education and training to care for the sick and disabled. The MD is usually the one who makes that representation. Does the BON intervene? The same holds true for the CNA. That's why we have exams and titles backed up with licenses. There is no professional designation of simply "nurse". I don't see where any laws are broken. I do think that the public's perception of nursing is changing as older generations die out. There is a stronger awareness and respect for what it takes to become a professional nurse. Sorry for the rant. I may have gone a little off point.

I guess I wouldn't be so concerned that she casually refers to herself as a nurse on the outside. I would be very concerned if she does it while she's on the clock at work.

Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.
She works in a mental health center and it was samples that the drug reps give the doctors to dispense to patients.

Oh my, do we know the same person? I work in a psych facility and I also know of an aide who goes around telling people she is really a nurse. No, I haven't reported this or anything. She also tells a lot of other tall tales.

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