How do you protect your license? What are common errors to avoid? Pls. HELP

ikarus01 · Mar 13, 2011

Try to find a legal course given by a nurse in your area. That was what really put me up to speed as to the do's and don'ts of charting and being a nurse.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2011

The best way to protect your license is to maintain safety for your patient at all times. This is a rather broad answer to the relatively broad question you asked.

You learned what you needed to learn in school. You passed the NCLEX, so you have what it takes to be safe and to ensure the safety of your patients. Your practice should reflect what you learned. Documentation is your friend. Document as if you are testifying in court-only the facts, and leave no room for interpretation. For example, if you are in charge of documenting patient valuables that will be placed in the hospital safe, and your patient gives you a gold necklace, you chart that you were given a "golden toned necklace". You don't know for sure if that was a gold necklace or not, do you?

When I was first starting out in nursing, I saw many of my co-workers cutting up, kidding around, and playing harmless pranks on one another-but they got their work done, and were EXCELLENT nurses. I wasn't sure if this conduct was ok for me to partake in as I didn't want to come across as unprofessional, but wanted to remain true to my laid back nature. So I would go about my day and I pretended like the VP of the hospital was observing me while I worked. This kept me in line mentally and also set a professional tone for myself. If I wanted to joke around with my co-workers, I made sure that I would feel comfortable saying the same thing to the VP of the hospital. This tactic served me well for the first two years of adjustment in the nursing profession, and provided the basis of my mental professionalism. Later on in my career, I was able to feel out my co-workers and engage in ...ahem...the occasional inappropriate joke.

The fastest way to lose your license is to be negligent somehow; to be unsafe, and to place your patient in danger. As I stated before, you have all of the tools at your disposal to practice safely. If you are unsure about something, then ASK a co-worker for help. If they will not or cannot help you, then ask your DON for help. NEVER do something that you are unsure about. Listen to that little voice that is telling you, "Um...should you REALLY do that?" Don't ever be afraid to ask for help, clarification, explanations, etc. Understanding your implementations is the key to safety. If you feel dumb about asking a question, ask yourself if you would feel comfortable having a nurse with the same doubts taking care of your loved one. That usually gets your mindset back to the big picture of safety.

Good luck to you.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2011

thanks

HOMEWORK ALERT!

I have noticed that this is one of several super-short questions that you are posting and is a clear-cut case of a homework assignment that you are trying to get members to do for you.

We are more than happy to help students that are stuck, but this website is not designed to do your homework for you.

Learn how to do your own work now...it just gets harder.

Natkat, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 13, 2011

Good catch.

lilaclover · Mar 13, 2011

Whats wrong with a student asking the opinion of experienced nurses for a homework assignment? I think this would be a creative way to come up with some interesting responses for an assignment rather than regurgitating the same thing from a textbook. Might be a good way to get them thinking from a different perspective.

Plus I don't see how taking this extra step in their research is taking the easy way out.

I've always wondered why people get so bothered by that on this site. Obviously if someone was straight up asking for you to complete their assignment for them then that would be a bit irking but just using another method to gather opinions and get them thinking in another direction... I see no problem.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2011

Whats wrong with a student asking the opinion of experienced nurses for a homework assignment? I think this would be a creative way to come up with some interesting responses for an assignment rather than regurgitating the same thing from a textbook. Might be a good way to get them thinking from a different perspective.
Plus I don't see how taking this extra step in their research is taking the easy way out.
I've always wondered why people get so bothered by that on this site. Obviously if someone was straight up asking for you to complete their assignment for them then that would be a bit irking but just using another method to gather opinions and get them thinking in another direction... I see no problem.

Lila-while I understand what you mean, this member is posting a great deal of questions that look like homework assignments. It is one thing to ask the occasional question, but another thing altogether to post nothing BUT homework questions.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2011

Whats wrong with a student asking the opinion of experienced nurses for a homework assignment? I think this would be a creative way to come up with some interesting responses for an assignment rather than regurgitating the same thing from a textbook. Might be a good way to get them thinking from a different perspective.
Plus I don't see how taking this extra step in their research is taking the easy way out.
I've always wondered why people get so bothered by that on this site. Obviously if someone was straight up asking for you to complete their assignment for them then that would be a bit irking but just using another method to gather opinions and get them thinking in another direction... I see no problem.

These questions are designed to prompt the student to do their own research and to form their own opinions.

Not just copy and paste what they read on allnurses.com..which is exactly what he/she probably intended to do.

lilaclover · Mar 13, 2011

Lila-while I understand what you mean, this member is posting a great deal of questions that look like homework assignments. It is one thing to ask the occasional question, but another thing altogether to post nothing BUT homework questions.

After glancing back through the OP's previous posts I can kinda see your point on this one....

But for the most part I find that people are too quick to jump down a students throat for asking a question simply because it might be used for homework.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2011

Seriously, people want to help, and it's great to ask questions. However, in the past 2 days, you've posted at least 5 or 6 new threads on various topics. In my opinion, it's starting to be a bit much. That isn't exactly how this forum is used. And most of these questions will be answered in your program. You might also try doing some of your own research, and then asking people. There are all kinds of nursing best practice guidelines available on the BON websites. GL

Altra, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2011

I was never given an assignment in nursing school which didn't require the citation of resources used, or in which the quality of resources used wasn't considered in determining a grade.

I can just see it now ...

Altra. (2011, March 13). How do you protect your license? What are common errors to avoid? Pls. HELP. Message posted to www.allnurses.com. Retrieved from https://allnurses.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=4843055 March 13, 2011.

:rolleyes:

Moogie · Mar 13, 2011

I think any member who comes to AllNurses expecting to copy and paste answers for homework questions is in for a big shock. There are many nurse educators on this forum and most don't take too kindly to plagiarism.

We certainly encourage students to ask questions and seek advice from other students or nurses but, please, do your own homework.