GPN still working after failing NCLEX

[luvmy2angels]

There is a gal working at my place of employment who took and failed her NCLEX exam yet is still being allowed to work at my facility as a GPN. I looked her up online and her Temporary permit is expired and she has NO other documentation to legally work as a GPN. I don't want to get anyone in trouble, but she makes A LOT of mistakes and i keep thinking about the safety of the patients she takes care of. Our DON is aware that she failed her test so she is just as legally responsible for allowing her to work isn't she?? Who should i call to report this or shouldn't I ????

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I failed boards the first time. My job title was no longer GN even though my badge still had RN on it. The only thing that I wasn't allowed to do was give medications, my status was an extern position, so I was still able to perform a lot of procedures with my preceptor cosigning i.e. assessment, charting, need for o2, contact docs, admitt, transfer, discharge patient, remove mini's, alines (w/supervision) anything that was covered under the job description of a nurse extern. I COULD NOT GIVE MEDS! I could do pretty much everything else. Sidenote: please don't make her feel worse, she may already feel horrible about not passing boards the first or second time...Yes you WANT TO immplement patient saftey, however, you want to show respect to all people, not that you wouldn't. Plus, if she makes A LOT of mistakes, discreetly talk to the DON/preceptor about your concern. But first make sure you have correct info about hospital policies and what a person (UAP/NSG extern) is allowed to do. I'll give you an example, the first time I took boards, I didn't pass. My status changed to a nsg extern. One morning, I was getting potassium out of the pxysis for my preceptor. Our educator from human resources saw me, made this funny look but kept going. A couple days later, she pulls me to side and questions, why was I removing meds from the pxysis. I kindly told her that where I work, the aides are even allowed to get mag, potass, out of the pxysis in preparation for the fresh hearts. She understood all was well...So little things like that can send anyone into a frenzy, when it comes to "breaking" rules, fortunatley, my situation was resolved....and 2nd time around, I passed boards. Hopes this helps...kind of off topic, I think I made my point along time ago. Anywho...

I can see your point. There are many intricacies that we are simply not aware of, and it is best to get the facts before we start blowing the whistle on everyone. It is best to speak to someone within the facility first, and to be honest, even if they are working honestly, the powers that be may not feel that they have to explain much to the persons that are not involved with the decision. You made a sound point, in my opinion!

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Once the DON is informed of your impression then the ball is in her/his court. I fail to see how she can remain a GPN after failing boards.

If she failed the RN boards but was already an LPN then she may work as an LPN NOT a GPN. Otherwise she is breaking the law and if the DON knows and goes along with the deception then many laws are broken.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Yes. We were able to take the LPN test halfway through our ADN program. She already had her LPN license and failed the NCLEX-RN and then worked with her LPN license.

Once the DON is informed of your impression then the ball is in her/his court. I fail to see how she can remain a GPN after failing boards.

If she failed the RN boards but was already an LPN then she may work as an LPN NOT a GPN. Otherwise she is breaking the law and if the DON knows and goes along with the deception then many laws are broken.

It seems to me that the OP made an error in stating that the person was a GPN rather than an incumbant LPN that transitioned to be a GN, based on what she stated here in the above quote. If the DON continues to have her work as an LPN under these circumstances, I don't see how she is wrong. If she was not a nurse at all, then, yeah, the DON would be in hot water and poo poo.

[ASSEDO]

She may still be considered a GN until the state gets around to informing the hospital she failed boards. Sometimes this takes several weeks.

What she need now is an experienced nurse, like you, to help her get up to speed. She will make mistakes, like anyone else. The DON should make the decision to terminate her. It may not be your place.

I have worked with a nurse that failed boards, not one time but two. She came back strong as ever, and is one of the best ER nurses in the city... Just remember one day you may be reporting to her..