To report or not to report

[workinmomRN2012, BSN]

I need some advice- some background on me, I am an RN of 2 years, I am 40 something and this is a second career for me. I work in sub acute rehab. I recently took a new job at another sub acute facility. I was assigned a preceptor to familiarize me with the unit, policies and procedures.

My preceptor has been an RN for 2 years and an LPN before that, she is 28 years old. During the first few days this preceptor was ok, very negative about some of the other employees. I basically new a lot of things that I shouldn't have known my first few nights, I mean personality issues.

Anyway, on the third day she wanted me to take report, count narcs, give out meds. All of which I have done many times before. While sitting with the other nurse getting report, my preceptor states for no particular reason "if you need the person giving report to you to speak up or repeat something that's ok", I said "I know that, I have taken report before". I know I'm old but not that old, lol. Then after the other nurse and I counted narcs, I signed off on it being the correct amount, she proceeds to go back to the narcs and count them again.

Then while I was writing a note on a patient, she came over to see what I wrote which was- pt has a RUA PICC, she says "what is this", I said " right upper arm". She said " you cant write that it's illegal, and while you are precepting with me you cannot write that, what you do on your own is up to you". I have since told my NM and she stated that's ridiculous.

I have alerted my NM and HR that I do not want to be oriented with this person because of these incidences. But what I have not told them about is the fact that this nurse stated that she was very knowledgeable and experienced about putting IV's in, while I was with her a patients IV infiltrated and she asked me to pull out the old IV line and I said "ok let me get some gloves", she was not happy with that answer and she proceeded to lean over the patient and pull it out without any gloves on. When she attempted to insert another line, she did get it in on the 3^rd attempt all while not wearing gloves and she went so far as to say," I know I should be wearing gloves but.. it's easier for me this way". Within a minute or two blood started to back up the tubing and out of the end of the tubing, she had forgotten to cap the end of the IV tubing. Blood started dripping onto the sheet. It was enough blood that the sheet had to be changed.

I saw another interaction with her and a patient that was sleeping. She had meds for this patient mixed with applesauce, the patient had her mouth open and as she leans over the patient she states "I know I shouldn't do it like this but the patient will sometimes give me a hard time taking the meds" and she proceeded to put the meds in the patients mouth without even waking them up. The patient woke up when they felt meds in their mouth. Here is my question: Should I report her to the NM and Nursing Mgmt for these issues with not wearing gloves and putting medication in the patients mouth while sleeping, my gut tells me yes. I already have it written down and ready to go. Any advice would be greatly appreciated:) Sorry for the length

[Emergent, RN]

Wow, that sounds like a toxic work environment! Ugh. I'd wonder if I want to work there!

[RNikkiF]

Absolutely report it. You have a responsibility to the patients. That nurse even admitted she shouldn't be doing those things! That's important information to share with your supervisor. When the nurse changed an IV without gloves, she put the patient and herself at risk (she probably was thinking that the gloves only protect her). That's bad enough, but when she put medications (or ANYTHING for that matter) in a SLEEPING patient's mouth (?!?!?!?!?!?!), she put the patient at HUGE risk of aspirating! That nurse sounds lazy and dangerous to me. No question at all for me. Report her and include every detail you can remember.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

You can feel free to do the right thing and report these issues. However, if your preceptor is liked by people in high places in the organization, I wouldn't be surprised if management started targeting you.

How important is this job to you? Can you afford to lose it?

[VLB2742]

You should report it. We are here for the patient, if you are worried about the people in high places targeting you over correct nursing procedures/actions then maybe that is not a place you want to be working.

[AMS7958, RN]

I would mention it casually as reasons you think she should not be a preceptor to the nurse manager but avoid a formal write up.

[floridaRN38]

It is so sad that there are nurses out there like this one. I would definitely report it. I am usually the type of person that does not try to ruffle feathers. But this is ridiculous!!! Write her up

[workinmomRN2012, BSN]

Thanks for the input:) I did report it to my NM, education and HR in writing. They were very appreciative and come to find out she was under investigation for something else, but she was still working there even after I reported it. About 2 weeks later they had her go to per diem status. I left there about 2 months later to work in a hospital :) Sometimes you have to stand up for your principles!

[thevez]

If this risk my patient, I would report it RIGHT AWAY.