Would you have told on this nurse?

Nurses General Nursing

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There was a nurse on our unit, whom I will call "Kate," who was recently found "diverting" narcotics.

Several months ago I was on the shift after hers and medicated a patient that Kate had. I brought two norco as the MAR said she had two several hours earlier. She said, no, she had only had one and she would just like one again.

I know it's a very serious accusation, and to my knowledge at that time, she wasn't under suspicion. Sometimes patients are mistaken, after all, they are sick. Maybe the pt. wanted one, but the nurse gave two because most people want two, and the pt. didn't notice. Maybe she charted two, and then the pt. asked for one, and Kate put the other pill back.

I didn't report it. My only proof was what the pt. said. Now I feel guilty. Maybe I should have reported it. How many patients have been undermedicated since then? Luckily she was found out, and the state board is involved, and she is no longer working there anymore.

Would you have told the manager at that time?

Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

yes, I would have

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Assuming that the patient was assessed to be A&O, I would have filed an incident report. That seems more politically correct than telling a manager.

Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

You are right. With all you knew initially it could have easily been an honest oversight - such as planning to give the patient 2 but then patient only wanting one. At that point I may have pointed it out to her..."Hey, I noticed xyz last night. Be sure to keep your documentation straight so you don't get accused of something". If I saw it again - I'd report in a heartbeat.

You are right. With all you knew initially it could have easily been an honest oversight - such as planning to give the patient 2 but then patient only wanting one. At that point I may have pointed it out to her..."Hey, I noticed xyz last night. Be sure to keep your documentation straight so you don't get accused of something". If I saw it again - I'd report in a heartbeat.

This sounds like a reasonable approach.

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