Nurse charting stuff she did not do.

[Peetz]

I work in LTC/RH and we are having to deal with family of a resident over a wound. There is talk of lawyers, suits and what not. I found out that the documentation for this "wound" was poor if at all. There was a signature that another nurse has preformed a skin audit the same day and it was negative, yet did not fill out the paperwork for skin audits ( she never does, even after repeated complaints to the DON.) There are several resident she charts that she does treatments on and I know they are not getting done. I feel this is another treatment that she signed off on and did not actually do.

Has anyone had this happen and what was the outcome. This RN has been there many years and feels she is un-fire-able. I would really like to see this person reprimanded for her actions, simply so things change for the sake of the patients. I believe in education first and discipline second, but she has been told multiple times about skin audit forms and just refused to take part in any change.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

A large part of me knows that but the new nurse in me is very naive regarding the outcomes of these things and have yet to come to terms with the fact that she simply is a lousy nurse and should not be taking care of people. I feel bad, but then I don't. I am really unsure of what will happen with this case but the more I see the more I question any of the things she does. I don't like working like this. I changed a bandage today that still had the one I put on on the 28th!! It was nasty and was never checked. I feel so lost as to what to do, I have never been in this situation and really want some advice on what to do next.

I guess my question is, now that the DON is aware of the issue will she take it from there or is it my duty to report this nurse to the board? I will defend my license at all costs, if reporting her is what I am to to then I will, I just don't know how to go about it yet.

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.

My "gut" reaction is this: While it IS the DON's responsibility (but seems to be oblivious), you also have accountability- and may need to report them both. And that would be a horrible decision to have to make. I also feel like this is bad enough to look at getting out of there. Then DEFINITELY report them both- to the state first. THEY can make some of the other decisions. But if there's any way to report anonymously, do it. This is about the residents. I can't imagine being in this position- but knowledge of fraud requires action to protect yourself. Keep your own notes. Dates, times, and stuff that's wrong. Use resident initials- no identifying info per se. Do incident reports- while they don't become part of the chart, it's at least something- and keep a copy for yourself (without anyone knowing).

This is big time about the residents- but you have to consider CYA, also.

Sounds like this ship already split in half- just waiting for it to start to sink...

I'm so sorry you're in this position. :heartbeat

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

Another duplicate

[PsychNurseWannaBe, BSN, RN]

Go to the states website and send an anonymous complaint. Get malpractice insurance. NSO is good. You never know when you will need it to CYA and your license. It pretty cheap for new grads and then like 100 or so after the first year. I sleep better knowing I have it. Good Luck

[leslie :-D]

I changed a bandage today that still had the one I put on on the 28th!! It was nasty and was never checked. I feel so lost as to what to do, I have never been in this situation and really want some advice on what to do next.

I guess my question is, now that the DON is aware of the issue will she take it from there or is it my duty to report this nurse to the board? I will defend my license at all costs, if reporting her is what I am to to then I will, I just don't know how to go about it yet.

aw peetz, i do feel badly for you.:hug:

reporting someone is tough for an experienced nurse, nevermind a new one.

incident report re unchanged bandage; submit to don, copy for yourself.

as xtxrn states, meticulous, thorough documentation with copies.

yes, you do have a duty to report, but you can do so anonymously.

report facts only. short and sweet, no emotions.

should the DON and this nurse (and others?) ever be cited by dept of health during one of their surveys, you'd go down right with them.

this way, you are protecting yourself AND your residents.

and yes, get nso - it's only around $100/yr.

keep us informed, we're here for you anytime.

leslie