afraid of losing my liscense

Published

Hello everyone! I have a few concerns about the correctional facility I work at. First, the rns do not want to be bothered by me calling them concerning an inmates problem. If an inmate is complaining of chest pain the protocal in our facility is to have the inmate get an ekg. The rns are responsible to do this. Eventhough an inmate may have heart burn, the protocal is for the rn to do an ekg. The rns continuously push the lpns to restate in the encounter forms what the inmate actually states. For example... Inmate c/o chest pain. Rn says restate as chest discomfort to avoid the inmate causing the rn to do an ekg. I'm really sick of jeopardizing my liscense for their laziness. Are the rns like this at most correctional facilities? I work nights so it could be night shift rns. The day shift rns where I work don't have a problem with seeing an inmate. Maybe cause the don is still in the building. My second concern is the cleanliness at the jail. The inmates clean their own cells. This is not done on a regular basis. Toilets aren't clean regularly, floors are used from cell to cell with same mop water. The inmates are always getting skin infections. The inmates always think "spider bite", but rarely is one bitten by a spider. The inmates say we have the worst facility in florida. Some of you out there may know where I work. Anyways I'm just wandering does any facility out there gets sanitized. Well I guess I can post my other concerns later. Theres just too much to list. Thanks to all for reading.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

:D Hi Nursecat

I don't think the nurses are being lazy. They are just being realistic. I have had so many inmates complain of chest pain. They are not pale they are not nauseated and they are not having any trouble breathing. Most of them are just "whiners"

who have heartburn or a need for attention. It costs money to do EKG's. Why waste money doing all these EKG's on inmates who are having heartburn? I am an LPN and as long as I report it to the RN I have done my job. Of course, when the DON is around then the EKG's have to be done. Welcome to correctional nursing:roll

Up Vote Up Vote ×

First of all I would not put my license in harms way over another nurse. I'm an LPN but no RN anywhere would ever tell me to do something that I feel will put my license on the line. A nurse should not even carry out doctors instructions that seem questionable. So, if the protocol is to do an ekg for chest pain then it should be done if the patient c/o chest pain. If he c/o heartburn that may be something different.

I would simply tell the RN that if you want to change documentation then you sign off and take the responsibility.

And if they didn't want to do that guess what? The RN and I would be taking a walk to the DON's office.

Insofar as cleanliness, where I work inmate workers mop, clean, and scrub everything that doesn't move.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Where I work if the inmate c/o of chest pain they might question him a little more and if he admits that it isn't really chest pain the RN may decide to omit the ekg. If he insists it's chest pain the ekg is done.

I would think if the RN examined the patient and made a decision that the inmate did not need an ekg then that's one thing but I still would not change documentation on forms unless the RN is willing to sign off and take responsibility.

One time the whiner that we may think is just whining could be going into cardiac arrest.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

"Most of them are just "whiners"

who have heartburn or a need for attention. It costs money to do EKG's. Why waste money doing all these EKG's on inmates who are having heartburn? I am an LPN and as long as I report it to the RN I have done my job."

Good attitude.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Perinatal/neonatal.

What about V/S? Shouldn't that be the first step in the facility protocol? Assessment can then lead to EKG if neccessary.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

:chuckle Thanks probable cause. The taxpayers love nurses like me. Why waste the taxpayer's money on unnecessary EKG's? Why not use the taxpaper's money to pay for counseling that is needed by the "VICTIM'S" OF THE INMATES!!!!!

:roll

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro trauma ICU, Flight Nurse.

I guess I'm not getting something here. Who factors in taxpayer money when a patient complains of chest pain? I'm really having trouble believing that was a nurse replying.... If a patient c/o cp -inmate or not- you follow the facility's protocol. If protocol is do an EKG - and this is a no brainer - DO AN EKG! FYI - I am a taxpayer and an RN, and this is not rocket science we're talking about. WHOA!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

:chuckle Gee thanks a lot C-pillow. No wonder my taxes are so high!

:roll

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

Personally, even if I think an inmate might be faking it, I'd do the EKG if that's what the policy states. When one that's not faking drops over, it's going to be a bit hard to explain why he wasn't evaluated according to the established protocol.

As nurses, the best way to hose ourselves is not to follow our facility's policies. If you don't care about the inmates, do the right thing for no other reason than to protect your license. Regardless of how our patients come to be in our charge, they are, and we are responsible for safeguarding them to the best of our ability.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro trauma ICU, Flight Nurse.

Hey, no problem blackcat! I don't mind offering my perspective as a taxpayer or as a nurse. And really, I understand that the taxes here are better than in Canada or other countries with socialized medicine. So, that extra 1/4 of a cent that it costs me and you year to do a questionable EKG on a medicaid recipient or a prisoner doesn't phase me a bit when I'm at work. Infact, I frankly don't even think about the patient's payment source. I guess being impartial and non judgemental about a patient's circumstances was very well ingrained in me when I went through nursing school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

:chuckle Hi cpillow

Yes I am looking into other areas of nursing. I saw last week a job for correctional LPN's in Florida. It included massages as part of the LPN's job description. I wonder if in the future all nurses will be required to give back and or all body massages to inmates. :uhoh21: :uhoh21: :uhoh21: :uhoh21:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment