I Would Like Your Opinion

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Specializes in ICU of all kinds, CVICU, Cath Lab, ER..

In November, 2006, I made a change at the hospital where I have worked for the past 6 years: I left ICU and took a job in the newly created Chest Pain Center.

I am an experienced critical care nurse but I am having a problem working with one of the other nurses - I work every weekend night.

The woman sleeps on the job - she goes on "break" and returns four hours later (went shopping); at one point, after a very loud argument, she left (I was not aware) - I began looking for her after I discovered she was not in the unit (about an hour). I found out she got in her vehicle and drove home (the security guard had helped her get her vehicle started). I called our immediate supervisor and she got through on the woman's cell phone and insisted she return to the unit (she did) ISN'T THAT ABANDONMENT? She did not tell me she was leaving; nor did she give me report on her two patients... I covered them anyway but I had no idea.

Now the latest mess is the result of her insisting she knew a procedure and attempting it -- it became obvious she did not know what she was doing...she screamed at me when I confronted her.

She will not allow anyone to question her (her background in nursing is thin and in no way in the critical care area) -- she talks loudly over you so that you haven't a prayer of carrying on a professional and adult conversation.

I recently went to the boss above my boss (my boss covers up) and showed him a pic and video on my cell phone which showed this nurse lying on one of our beds, sound asleep with ear phones on. She slept from midnight until 5:45 in the morning. I had a patient; she had none.

I am trying to get back into the ICU unit from where I transferred. I do not think I want to put up with this woman in any form. Another thing she does is call the center to find out if we have patients - if we don't, she comes in anywhere from an hour to two hours later (she says she has our immediate supervisor's permission). She admitted this at a staff meeting!

I realilze it takes writing up someone before they can be let go; however, with all the covering up, I don't think it will ever happen.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I think you have the right idea: self-preservation - get out!

It is a shame this is allowed to continue. Have you put this in writing? What was done when you showed the bosses' boss the cell phone pics??

I don't even know if I would stay in this hospital - its sad this is condoned.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hello, walk6miles,

I moved your thread to the General Nursing Discussion forum for a better response.

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Specializes in Case Management.

I agree that you should leave asap. If your immediate supervisor of the unit is covering up for her, then you have very little chance of making any changes. Unless there is someone higher up that is ready to do battle with both of them, you need to get out of there asap. This is a BIG LAWSUIT waiting to happen and I would not want to be any where near that unit when it does happen.

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Specializes in cardiac.

That's just plain crazy!!!! If the facility is allowing her to do these things, then, I would start looking for a new job. SOmething's going to happen and it's not going to be good. And I wouldn't want to be a part of that.

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Definitely get out of there for the safety of your license, but for the same reason you need to document the *(&^ out of every single incident. EVERY one. Write it up every time including the times and number of times you notifed the supe and what the response was. Hand the original to your manager and keep a copy for yourself. The manager may not act on them, but if something happens later and authorities get involved, she'll be on the hot seat because she didn't do anything.

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Specializes in Lie detection.

This type of thing scares the stuffing out of me. I have two family members having surgery next week and the thought of one of them having a nurse like this kills me. I just don't understand why the supvr. won't do anything about it.

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Specializes in ICU of all kinds, CVICU, Cath Lab, ER..

I am working on transferring. As an update, one of our NP's has interjected herself into this situation by trying to "bring us together" - initially I refused to discuss it. Later on in the shift I listened while she spoke her piece and I was polite but definite that I wasn't going to indulge her. I appreciate your advice and concern.

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I listened while she spoke her piece and I was polite but definite that I wasn't going to indulge her. I appreciate your advice and concern.

What in the world could her "piece" possibly be???? There is absolutely no way her actions could be excused!!! Good for you for not playing along.

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Specializes in neuro, trauma, med-surg.

do you think you have an ethical responsibility to report this nurse? is there someone you could above and beyond the managers you have spoken to? I just wonder if you should, as it does affect other patients...if something happened to one of her patients, would you somehow be responsible in some way?

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What about reporting her actions to your state board of nursing?

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Specializes in ICU of all kinds, CVICU, Cath Lab, ER..

Let me say right up front that I have always kept the patient in mind - the night she went home without saying anything, all four of the patients in the unit were under my watchful eye.

I have taken the appropriate steps, and I have to give the chain of command a chance to make this situation right... it was necessary for me to go around my immediate supervisor's head but it had to be done. I will give the supervisor over her head an opportunity to correct the situation, but, if he doesn't, I will go to the next level.

Bear with me! I am convinced this can be corrected!!!

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