Need help with Ethical/Boundries Issue

[maryen]

I have posted on this situation in the past and was hoping it would resolve itself but it is becoming more and more apparent that it is not and I am too emotional involved with the patient(been with her for 6 years now) that I know I am not thinking clearly on it. Would love input/advice. I work 3 shifts per week with pt. through agency. Pt. is vent/trach dependant and has 24 hour care. Pt. is very high needs and demanding and working environment is at poverty level so needless to say very high staff turnover. One of the night nurses was commuting from far away and was going to leave due to commute. Pt family said she could rent a room from them. She did it. Pays $500 per month. I turned a blind eye to it. Now it has been coming more of an issue. The nurse often comes into the pt. room during my shift to use computer, printer and has been leaving notes like" Do not use washing machine during the day, I am sleeping". In addition she attends family gatherings, goes out to eat with the pt. parents and dog sits for the parents when they go out of town. It is becoming very messy and unprofessional. I know I should tell the agency but I feel so conflicted for many reasons- I know that it will take months to find and train a new night nurse. I also feel like I would be a "snitch" I know that I am not thinking clear on this issue and would love any input/guidance.

[jnb156]

This is a very hard situation to be in, but knowing about it you have to report it. Is there a possible way to report it anonymously? If you do it that way, they may find you liable for knowing about it and not acting sooner. This is most definitely a conflict of interest, and really the only option you have is reporting it. You may want to secure another job before doing so that way you are not left without work. Good luck