Illegal???

[FutrRN2]

I did not know which board to post this to. I am going to try to make main info obvious in case this person is registered on here....

I recently became aware of an RN in an out of state hopsital, but lives in the same state as I do, Who administered an IV to own relative after having had the flu, in relative's home. The relative said,"he/she needed to be replinished."

I am guessing the relative was a little dehydrated from having dry heaves. I would have assumed that the relative would have drank fluids and if it was that bad he/she should have gone to the doctor/hospital.

I have previously heard concerning comments from RN bragging about "forgetting" (stealing) discard used viles with leftover meds and even pain pills taken put into pocket and leaving the workplace with them and not returning them or disgarding them. I have also witnessed this RN making comments about wanting prescribed meds after a relative died and then harping b/c the hopsice RN was able to properly disgard the meds first and RN saying "Hospice RN got the good stuff before I did."

RN, I think is diagnosing, self-medicating, and practicing medicine outside of workplace.

I am trying to understand how RN got an IV to begin with and then able to administer/treat relative at home when RN is only a licensed ER RN at hospital.

RN has even offered me nausea meds, offered my boyfriend pain meds that RN has gotten hands on. RN also has medicated family and friends with meds RN has from hospital. RN has and tried diagnosing family and friends. RN has been in work for 7 years now and works in a major hospital in the ER.

I am not an RN, yet. But I do feel deep down what RN is doing is illegal, dangerous, and unethical.

Any thoughts?

[Jas0nRN]

Any of the things you listed here are serious. All should be reported immediately. This nurse has gotten arrogant. Even if the person only needs rehydration, she doesn't know if there is an electrolyte imbalance which can be deadly. In an ED this would normally be drawn while rehydrating the pt. Hyper/hypo kalemia/calcemia are life threatening problems. How assenine.

In regards to the home health nurse complaining about the good meds being taken. You need to contact the directer of HH as well as the nursing board. We should never be using a patients medications after they pass. This could lead to abuse of the meds and perhaps stealing while the patient is alive.

What kind of moron brags about this? Stay away from this person and the next time they start t alking about this crap tell them frankly that you won't put up with that kind of ****. More importantly the nurse may be feeling guilty and trying to find support don't give it to her. We don't want her/him doing this ever again.

By law you are culpable if anyone find out you knew and did nothing. We have our professional reputations on the line.

Thank you for being brave enough to talk about this. Its a hard palce to be in and you may not feel comfortable taking this on by yourself. Find a nurse at another hospital and talk to their supervisor about what to do. They can give you the support and advice you need to do what's right.

I hope everything works out for you. JP

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

It's "discarding", not "disgarding".

At any rate, taking medications or supplies from the hospital is theft.

[FutrRN2]

The hospice nurse or Home health nurse did discard the unused meds. It was the RN who stated that he/she herself were upset b/c the meds were already discarded.

[FutrRN2]

Thank you for the advice I will take proper action in reporting this person...