Being An Advocate

[tonicole]

I am a nurse who had a charge nurse bring my patient from a test without being monitored (as the policy states to monitor per unit requirement). I asked the charge nurse why they were not being monitored and the response was "it was only for a second". I did not fill out an incident report as required. So I asked my manager the following day about the incident which amounted to me turning him into the manager.

Is it nursing etiquette to never squeal on each other? Or did I do the right thing so it does not happen to another patient?

I understand the incident seems small. Any advice or criticism would be greatly appreciated.

[Sherimari]

It's not about tattling on your coworker. It's about patient safety. Policies are there for a reason, to protect the patient and provide the best care. Fill out an incident report. It may be that that nurse or other nurses just need a review of the policy. Incident reports are not meant to be punitive, but to help recognize where education may be necessary to prevent errors or improve patient care. Never feel bad about doing what is best for the patients. Luckily for that patient there was no harm, but the outcome could have been different...

[tonicole]

Thank you. That's why I did it; for patent's safety in the future.