Dilemma: Unsafe Nursing student.

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:mad: Dilemma: RN student gave incorrect insulin to one of their patients. They didn't document or have clinical instructor there. They didn't follow the five rights...especially right med. The person did not have anyone co-sign who could have also caught the error. They did not document all day. Also JCACHO (as on site. The student had to fill out a incident report and call the doctor. He doesnt feel like he needs to follow any rules. The clinical instructor has done nothing about his past mistakes (no safety checks, iv miss with pt that was on heprin..he missed and no pressure was applied then actually got an IV then instead of twisting to take of the NS flush he pulled it out. And again no pressure was applied, He got up and walked out leaving the pt bleeding, lack of charting, etc) Who can we as students go to if we feel he is unsafe and school is letting him repeatedly be unsafe with pts? Now mind you the school has failed people for less infractions:tardiness, etc.
Specializes in Pediatrics.
Samantha79, A incident report was filled out, the student had to call the pts doctor. Now the RNs on the floor don't want students anymore. Great hospital to do clinicals in. He did not want to wait on the instructor...didn't scan the meds, no documentation..just an all-around cluster****. He was suppose to have it co-signed, he was suppose to have the instructor. Insulin not in pyxis.

Then it will be addressed. If they "don't want students anymore" the school will obviously be notified. Even if they did still 'want students' the school will be notified. I was involved with a student med error, as was a colleague of mine (hers was more serious). With my colleague, she had to meet with the nursing ed department, so obviously my boss new about it. The school will then decide what action should be taken with the student. And if it's not to your (or your colleagues) liking, there is nothing you can do about it.

While I understand that you may be looking out for the safety of the patients, and are probably frustrated that this student is getting away with unsatisfacory performance, read on. This is something I learned in my years as a nurse (but it didn't really set in until I started teaching): you need to worry about yourself, and not what everyone else is doing. You cannot bring someone else into your problems ("But she does the same thing and gets away with it", doesn't fly). Also, you will never have all the facts (maybe this student was counseled. Even if he tells you otherwise, he may be lying to save face). And most importantly: life is not fair :mad: (it's just not, I often feel that way, but I just shut my mouth b/c I love my job ;)).

If this student is as dangerous as you say he is, he will eventually meet his demise.:o

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
I understand that if you haven't seen it you don't report and have told other students the same exact thing that BabyLady said repeatedly. I guess my statement/question was if no response from school then what? ...I suppose I know the answer to that to: let it go, correct.

Let me tell you why you should not report it unless you directly witness it, no matter HOW many people you hear it from and how sure you are that it happened.

1) If you report it and you are wrong a physician or nurse can turn around and sue you for slander and they WILL collect for it if they get suspended without pay.

2) Unless you directly witness something, it is not admissable in any court of law...that is what we call HEARSAY...the reasons that courts don't allow it is because the direct witnesses to the event need to be the ones testifying, that nixes the he said, she said.

Seriously...I have seen people lose their jobs over false rumors and hearsay...that is why I have a very, very short fuse for it. So unless you directly witnessed what happened...it is a RUMOR.

....and so far I haven't seen you post that you witnessed the student nor the physician do anything.

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

The school may be taking action or they may not. Whatever they decide to do they aren't going to tell you or make it public. As far as all the screw ups for the semester, the instructor may have them in the back of her head so when it's time for evals your instructor may very well fail this person.

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Specializes in Neuro/ MS.

BabyLady...I agreed with your statement about directly witnessing then keep your mouth shut. I did not report anything but I have been in simular situations. My post seemed to upset you which I did not mean to do. I just wanted advice because I know that experienced RNs read and have given wonderful advice on allnurses post that I have previously read. As someone going into nursing whether its as a student or as a new RN, I want to know what people think about different situations because posters have lived it before me and have advice on the subject.

"Seriously...I have seen people lose their jobs over false rumors and hearsay...that is why I have a very, very short fuse for it. So unless you directly witnessed what happened...it is a RUMOR."

The person who was directly involved is the person that told me this. I too have seen the same thing with people being falsely accused of abuse, etc. That again is why I AGREE with you don't see you don't report but my question was: if I do then what and that was answered in the responses.

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Specializes in Neuro/ MS.
Then it will be addressed. If they "don't want students anymore" the school will obviously be notified. Even if they did still 'want students' the school will be notified. I was involved with a student med error, as was a colleague of mine (hers was more serious). With my colleague, she had to meet with the nursing ed department, so obviously my boss new about it. The school will then decide what action should be taken with the student. And if it's not to your (or your colleagues) liking, there is nothing you can do about it.

While I understand that you may be looking out for the safety of the patients, and are probably frustrated that this student is getting away with unsatisfacory performance, read on. This is something I learned in my years as a nurse (but it didn't really set in until I started teaching): you need to worry about yourself, and not what everyone else is doing. You cannot bring someone else into your problems ("But she does the same thing and gets away with it", doesn't fly). Also, you will never have all the facts (maybe this student was counseled. Even if he tells you otherwise, he may be lying to save face). And most importantly: life is not fair :mad: (it's just not, I often feel that way, but I just shut my mouth b/c I love my job ;)).

If this student is as dangerous as you say he is, he will eventually meet his demise.:o

Thank you, and I understand.

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