Missing Narcs - my responsibilities

I would definitely submit an occurrence report, if only to cover my own butt ...

I think you should contact your malpractice insurance and ask them. If you don't have malpractice insurance get some immediately....every nurse should have it.

Second I would check with your BON rules and regs. I believe Arizona has a mandatory reporting for license holders or you can be considered culpable.

Anyone can submit a complaint; however, the law mandates certain individuals and institutions report information to the Board. Pursuant to 32-1664 (B):

“A licensee, a certificate holder, and a health care institution as defined in 36-401 shall, and any other person may, report to the board any information the licensee, certificate holder, health care institution or individual may have that appears to show that a licensee or certificate holder is, was or may be a threat to the public health or safety.”

ARS 32-1601(18) (k) defines unprofessional conduct, in part, as “failing to report to the board any evidence that a professional or practical nurse or nursing assistant is or may be:

(i) Incompetent

(ii) Guilty of unprofessional conduct

(iii) Mentally or physically unable to safely practice nursing or perform nursing related duties”

2. What is mandatory reporting & what conduct should be reported?

Mandatory reporting assists the Board in protecting the public through the discovery of unsafe or substandard nursing practice or conduct. The law does not require, and the Board does not intend, every minor nursing error be reported.

Conduct or practice that should be reported:

• Information that a nurse or certificate holder may be mentally or physically unable to safely practice nursing or perform nursing related duties
  
• Conduct involving practicing beyond the scope of practice of the license or certificate. Examples include knowingly giving a medication not authorized by a treating provider, obtaining laboratory or other tests not authorized by a treating provider, unauthorized adjusting of dosage
  
• Conduct which leads to the dismissal for unsafe nursing practice or conduct or other unprofessional conduct
  
• Conduct that appears to be a contributing factor to high risk/harm to a patient and required medical intervention
  
• Conduct that appears to be a contributing factor to the death of a patient
  
• Conduct involving the misuse of alcohol or other chemical substances to the extent that nursing practice may be impaired or may be detrimentally impacted
  
  
• Actual or suspected drug diversion
  
  
• Pattern of failure to account for medications; failing to account for wastage of control drugs
  
• Falsification of medical or treatment records
  
• Pattern of inappropriate judgment or nursing skill
  
• Failing to assess or intervene in behalf of patient(s)
  
• Conduct involving sexual contact with a patient, patient family member or other dual relationships
  
• Conduct involving physical/verbal patient abuse
  
• Conduct involving misappropriation, theft or exploitation of a patient
  
• Practicing nursing without a valid nursing license
  
• Violation of a disciplinary sanction imposed on the nurse’s license by the board
  
• Conduct that deceives, defrauds or harms the public
  

In addition to the mandatory reporting, individual licensees are required to report the following:

• Criminal charges, felony and misdemeanor, which may affect public safety within ten days from when the charge(s) are filed
  
• Felony conviction(s) must be reported within ten days of the conviction
  

Arizona State Board of Nursing | Discipline FAQs