Dilema

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Ok. During an observational rotation, I witnessed a nurse giving another nurse an injection (she said it was Rocephin) because she didn't want to just throw it away. The nurse took the injection in her behind and said thanks, you just saved me 75$. In NS you see lots of things that aren't right, but we talk about them in post conference to learn from them. Well, my clinical instructor told me she thought about the situation and decided it was best if she let that floor manager know about it. Now the floor manager wants me to speak to her about it. I wouldn't want these nurses involved to know I "told" on them because I really like that floor and perhaps want to work there. My instructor asked me would I tell if it had been a narcotic and I said yes, in a heart beat I'd tell. Then she asked me what's the difference? I feel like a bratty little nursing student.

Would you talk to the floor manager about it?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Yes, I would. First of all - the nurse providing the injection is practicing medicine without a license. Second - the nurse receiving the injection is stealing medication from her employer. And third, - this is just wrong.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Ok. During an observational rotation, I witnessed a nurse giving another nurse an injection (she said it was Rocephin) because she didn't want to just throw it away. The nurse took the injection in her behind and said thanks, you just saved me 75$. In NS you see lots of things that aren't right, but we talk about them in post conference to learn from them. Well, my clinical instructor told me she thought about the situation and decided it was best if she let that floor manager know about it. Now the floor manager wants me to speak to her about it. I wouldn't want these nurses involved to know I "told" on them because I really like that floor and perhaps want to work there. My instructor asked me would I tell if it had been a narcotic and I said yes, in a heart beat I'd tell. Then she asked me what's the difference? I feel like a bratty little nursing student.

Would you talk to the floor manager about it?

Hello, Plucker,

I would divulge this information in, as you said, "A heartbeat".

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

There's nothing you can do now but to tell the truth. Leave all judgements and fear aside. State the facts. "I saw a nurse give a coworker an injection that she said was Rocephin." End of story. Ask the nurse manager if possible you'd like to keep your name in confidence.

Good luck. Don't feel like a brat, what's right is right.

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Specializes in CCRN.

Without a doubt. You followed the chain of command. You have done nothing wrong. And would you really want to work around people who are that unethical?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Another thing, we all want to be "nice" and not viewed in a way that isn't popular.

Being "nice" is so dysfunctional. I'm learning very hard that being "nice" is a big part of my problems in life and nursing. I want to be the good guy, so I remain silent. It's not working for me.

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Yes, I would. First of all - the nurse providing the injection is practicing medicine without a license. Second - the nurse receiving the injection is stealing medication from her employer. And third, - this is just wrong.

:yeahthat:

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Another thing, we all want to be "nice" and not viewed in a way that isn't popular.

Being "nice" is so dysfunctional. I'm learning very hard that being "nice" is a big part of my problems in life and nursing. I want to be the good guy, so I remain silent. It's not working for me.

I totally agree with Tweety. :Melody:

Silence is consent........

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I will talk to her. I did want to be nice and not say anthing especially when she said "you didn't see that right?" I know that's wrong and unethical I if I was a floor manager I wouldn't want that to happen with my employees.

Thanks for responding, that made up my mind. And she did say the floor manager would be willing to keep my name confidential. She wouldn't even tell them that a nursing student saw it.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
I will talk to her. I did want to be nice and not say anthing especially when she said "you didn't see that right?" I know that's wrong and unethical I if I was a floor manager I wouldn't want that to happen with my employees.

Thanks for responding, that made up my mind. And she did say the floor manager would be willing to keep my name confidential. She wouldn't even tell them that a nursing student saw it.

By saying to you, "You didn't see that right?", she was making you an accomplice. It was for no other reason. Not to make you "buddies"....not to make you feel accepted........simply to make you a part of this wrong.

We all don't like to make waves, but, you have to do the right thing and I think, as you have said, you know you must divulge this information.

Glad you came here to discuss this and figure out what you have to do.

Good job.

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Specializes in OB, ortho/neuro, home care, office.

What I question is, "she said it was Rocephin" whatever. If your a nurse you don't have to pay $75 for rocephin, the WHOLE thing stinks of narcotic to me. I am certain your doing the right thing by going to the nurse manager. Good Job!!

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That's so true Jen. Did that nurse really know there was Rocephin in there? It could have been anything. She didn't see her draw it up nor was the syringe labeled (even if it had it'd still be wrong) so it could have been urine for all she knew. How dangerous!

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