I have no idea what I or my fellow nurses should do now. Three separate times the same nurse was impaired on night shift to the point she could not function, did not pass meds, was unable to give report at shift change. It was noted all three times by different staff who relieved her. All staff involved went to DON, who gave this nurse a couple of days' notice that she wanted to see her on a certain day after her shift had ended. Of course the nurse made sure she was in good condition to talk to the DON.
Same nurse stole current prescription meds, when oncoming nurse asked where the meds were the nurse said they were in her car and went and got them. This was turned into same DON who came in 36 hours later to talk to this nurse.
Under the Nurse Practice Act we are required to report these things, which we did. The nurse is still there, still impaired. I do not know if the Administrator knows of these issues or not. I do not believe she does. I think it is our responsibility to tell her, knowing full well we will then have targets on our back from the DON. I can live with that.
Nothing happened once I told the Administrator. Even worse things happened after that and nothing was done. I no longer work there, and have reported the nurses, unit manager, DON, and Administrator (who is an RN) to the BON and state. I really wish it hadn't come to this, but it did.
Nothing happened once I told the Administrator. Even worse things happened after that and nothing was done. I no longer work there, and have reported the nurses, unit manager, DON, and Administrator (who is an RN) to the BON and state. I really wish it hadn't come to this, but it did.
I'm proud of u sticking to your beliefs and reported them.
Nothing happened once I told the Administrator. Even worse things happened after that and nothing was done. I no longer work there, and have reported the nurses, unit manager, DON, and Administrator (who is an RN) to the BON and state. I really wish it hadn't come to this, but it did.
Good for you! YOU are an advocate for the residents in absentia of everyone else...much to proud of!
Thank you so much for your support. I didn't realize how stressful this was going to be. Something else had happened and I gave them one more chance to do the right thing. This goes far deeper than what I had mentioned on here, so I have also retained a personal attorney in case they try and retaliate. I am no Pollyanna, but there are things that are just wrong. I don't know if anything will change but I have a clear conscience . How can staff members not think of each patient as their family member, or as themself? Each of us could be in that bed tomorrow.
I still can't believe her taking the Rx meds and then actually saying they were in her car - but by that time she prob wasn't "firing on all cylinders"
I am very glad u were able to get out of that situation.
Most states have these alternatives to discilinary approach programs. For that nurses sakes and to save her license you shod report her so she can get help. You don't want her injurying a patient or herselfbwhen you could have helped.
ponymom
385 Posts
You could also let the families know. Whatever it takes.