Have you ever been asked or expected to break the rules?

[ThatPoshGirl]

I've worked in manufactoring and almost every job I had in that industry we would get a big lecture the first day about OSHA rules and all the things that would happen if we were caught breaking those rules, then the next day discover that the only way to produce at the expected rate (meet quotas) is to take unsafe shortcuts and that that is expected of you. I never did the shortcuts and just accepted that I would be slower than everyone, figuring that it is better to be fired than to get hurt and not be able to claim workman's comp.

Are there similar issues in nursing and how do you deal with that? Do you have any stories to share about dealing with this type of thing?

[shellsgogreen]

i was asked to falsify info in a chart once and i flat out said no - did not need any consideration.

[Dixielee, BSN, RN]

The only thing that comes to mind along that line is our issue with lifting or pulling patients up in bed. Our policy states we are never to lift or slide someone up in bed without using special lifting devices. We had inservices, signed statements saying we understood, ya de ya de ya de...

The devices consist of a Hoyer lift and/or an inflatable mattress pad that we put under a patient, bring in a compressor, inflate the mattress, slide the patient up, then reverse the process.

Of course, I couldn't even tell you where we keep those "lifting devices", and even if I did, they would only get used on very rare occasions because of time constraints. We just grab another nurse, tech, doctor, RT or whoever seems to be in the area and they help us slide a patient up in bed using the old one, two, three approach. It has worked for 35 years for me, and I am still standing upright, BUT.....I know if I ever become injured while doing this, the hospital would NOT cover it, because I did not follow policy.

It is a real Catch-22 situation, that I don't see ever resolving.

[Cindy-san]

I've been asked/expected to break the rules of physics on a regular basis.

We take care of so many pts, and there is so much documenting to be done, corners get cut. It happens. Ok, maybe I didn't fill out that line insertion survey for whatever study you are doing. I've done 5 others and they all say the same thing. You can take 2 minutes and look through my documentation for all your answers, if you need it that badly.

But there are still things you just don't do. Safely take care of 4 ICU pts at once? I don't think so. Sign off for other people's meds? Nope. Falsify documentation? Noooo. Give certain meds without checking certain levels? No way.

I don't care to do anything to jeopardize my license or my health. It's not worth it.

[Batman24]

I haven't as of yet but I have seen a few here asked to falsify documents. I'd NEVER do that. Shameful nurses are even asked to do so. I'm also as anal as they come in regards to meds.

[NursKris82]

Recently a resident who was a full code died, everything was not done according to policy because the building was full of nurses who did not know it. I documented what happened very well, accuarate yet discreet. I recieved that chart back with a note to "clean up my charting" from the DON. I took her the chart and asked her what exactly did that mean? No answer just questions on why certain things weren't done. I gave her the chart back and nothing else was ever mentioned about it. I'm sorry if I get called into court regarding not doing something I can honestly say I did the best I knew to do... but falsifying or changing a medical record- that won't go over so well!! I could never do that, even if I was the only one who wrote on the page!! Everyone has to do what she or he feels is right and I just can't do that. It's a slippery slope indeed!