ethical dilemma....nurse lied.

[snowflake123]

Hey everyone,

I had a recent situation and just want someone else's advice on it. I am GN and just started my job on a neuro-step down floor. I am still orienting to the floor and have been working with the same preceptor for a few weeks now.

On my second day on the floor, we were working with a very heavy stroke patient (380 lbs.) My preceptor and I had to get this patient from the bed to the commode. We moved him to the commode, but it was extremely difficult to get this patient strapped properly to the toilet, so my preceptor just grabbed a couple pillows to prop him, in place (then closed the door).

A few minutes later there is a large thud; the patient fell and struck his head on the floor; blood is all over.

Later on, the hospital risk manager questions my preceptor about how this happened. She explained that she had secured the patient to the toilet as required by hospital policy, but the patient must have loosened the belt on her own. The risk manager asked me whether that is what happened and I was just so scared that I stupidly nodded my head in agreement.

The next day the patient is interviewed the next day and asked if he loosened the safety belt and she affirms that she did. (The patient had a large swelling on the side of his head and had to stay an extra 2 days in the hospital, but there seems to have been no permanent injury.)

Now I am so bothered by the fact that I have conspired in a lie, and I think that I ought to correct the record.

I spoke with my preceptor about my concerns and she told me to keep me mouth shut because we both would be in very serious trouble since we had both lied (and the man is OK anyway).

What should I do?

I just started this job and I don't want to lose it. I know this was such a stupid mistake to make. I'm so confused.. I'm losing sleep over this every night..

[Myxel67]

If you are Catholic, go to confession. If not, pray to God for forgiveness. This isn't something you should feel guilty about your whole life. Just learn from the experience.

Here's an example of a really serious coverup:

a dialysis nurse was talking to her husband on phone during pt's tx. She walked away from pt, was distracted by argument with husband. Tubing disconnect--pt bled out. She cleaned up the blood & tried to hide the way her pt died. Lost license prosecuted for criminal negligence. This may be urban legend but it's something I heard from other nurses when I first started to work.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

You're losing sleep over this. You know what is the right thing to do.

I agree - this will haunt you. Tell the truth.

Plus, the patient has to pay for two extra days in the hospital. How fair is that?

steph

[burn out]

Oh this is TOUGH. I am uncomfortable about it but tend to agree with Canoehead. You SERIOUSLY open a can of worms for yourself if you stir this pot, both with your coworkers and your reputation.

Most importantly, the patient ultimately was fine. If you choose to keep quiet, learn the lesson involved. Don't skimp on safety and don't ever, ever lie again because you'll be haunted by it.

Good luck with this, hun... let us know what you do and what happens...

First I have a problem with the risk manager questioning you in front of the preceptor...how could they expect you to do anything else but go along..did they honestly expect you to acuse your preceptor in front of her?

To set the record straight at this point will only end with she said , she said (her word against yours). Nobody wins if you come forward, nothing will change except now you will be in deep doo doo for lying. Learn your lesson and move on ....it could cost you more than just your job.

[fultzymom]

I would take this as a lesson. No matter what you think the consequences might be--NEVER LIE!!

[military spouse]

I think you made a mistake by not being honest when questioned. You could have said (in front of preceptor) something like, "Oh, no, remember we couldn't get the belt on......" However, going back now, especially behind your preceptor's back, can't reflect well on you. I think you need to do what you feel is right, but know that you may be in a heap of trouble and I bet mgt. probably will hate hearing the truth. You're in a really tough spot and at a minimum you should take this as a really good lesson for the future. Every nurse has made mistakes;)

[pattymac]

Just a thought...picture yourself on the witness stand at a trial....when they ask you about it...are you going to lie again or tell the truth? If this comes up again, you will have to choose at that moment what to say. Lying just gets harder and harder. I say tell the truth now...you will be glad you did. I really feel they will be lenient with you as a GN and hopefully with the preceptor as well.

[3290denise]

If you were the pt, would you want your nurse to lie? Would you want to have been the one asked if you unbuckled yourself when you know you still have to stay there longer with the nurse that did not buckle you but lied and said she did?

After the fact,

You can still fix this, tell the truth. If something like this comes up again then no one will expect you to help them cover up a mistake. It is hard to go back and fix it, but its better than having it hang over you. If you don't tell the truth will this preceptor teach another GN to do the same? Will she teach the GN that will be willing to lie?

[gitterbug]

Any further info available?

[kenzy]

Wow, bad incident, great topic, and your definetly between a rock in a hard place, but you alone should not carry this weight on your shoulders which obviously you are when your preceptor tells you to keep your mouth shut, and probably went along with her day as if nothing happened. Obviously this is not her first lie if after talking with her and voicing your concerns she still stands by her lie. Does she not fear the fact that maybe

you will come clean because your moral and ethical values will get the best of you, and this is something that you must tell to move on. Dont get me wrong the consequence will be great but its nothing that will kill you, or maybe just maybe you will be respected more by your peers and in the future nobody else will use you to defend their lies of mishaps and come clean in the begining because they know how you are. I myself would prefer to work with you any day knowing now what kind of person you are. What I personally would do is go back to your preceptor and tell her straight out that this is something you are not willing to live with, and will not jeopardize your career for. I would inform her that she has 48hrs to decide how she would like to handle this situation. If after 48hrs she still has done nothing I would inform her that you are going to meet with both the NM and the Risk Manager, and I would do it. One of two things could happen, if shes smart she will come clean on her own, because she will be at greater risk for more severe consquence if you go to them first, or she will stick to her grounds and they will believe her. Either way you will have cleared your slate, and know what kinda people your are working for and with. Who knows by the way they are continuing to look into this it may not be the first incident with this preceptor and you may be doing everyone a favor. Remember you are the pt. advocate and they must always come first. On the other hand if you do not think you can handle the consequences of your peers then say nothing, it does not make you a bad person, take the lessen you have obviously learned and move on. Also remember if you do go forward with this anyone who judges you, take a good hard look at their nursing practices, its really none of their concern and what are they worried about?, Are They doing things to jeapordize the well-fair of their pt?, and do your really want to be next to them when they do. What it all really boils down to is yes you should have known better, but you are learning and that has to be taken into consideration by the hospital, that is why we have preceptors. Good luck to you, and remember this is your decision no matter what anyone says you have to live with this either way. So do what is best for you!!!

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

If you are Catholic, go to confession. If not, pray to God for forgiveness. This isn't something you should feel guilty about your whole life. Just learn from the experience.

Here's an example of a really serious coverup:

a dialysis nurse was talking to her husband on phone during pt's tx. She walked away from pt, was distracted by argument with husband. Tubing disconnect--pt bled out. She cleaned up the blood & tried to hide the way her pt died. Lost license prosecuted for criminal negligence. This may be urban legend but it's something I heard from other nurses when I first started to work.

Not an urban legend, unfortunately. Happened in Miami, but I cannot find the article itself, only a reference to it.

[jill48, ASN, RN]

Snowflake123, please keep us updated on this situation. We are really worried about you and want to know how this turns out. :redbeathe

[Cattitude]

Snowflake123, please keep us updated on this situation. We are really worried about you and want to know how this turns out. :redbeathe

I may end up eating my words but I doubt we'll hear from her again. I hope she ends up ok with whatever decision she makes.