Nurses Call the Governor of Tennessee

Nurses General Nursing

Published

The state of TN is prosecuting nurse Radonda Vaught for reckless homicide. You can contact the Governor or DA to let him know what you think about this choice.

Governor Bill Lee

1st Floor, State Capitol
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 741-2001
email: [email protected]

District Attorney Glenn Funk

3 hours ago, Wuzzie said:

She did not make a mistake.

Here we go again, and in a new thread no less. Can we please just agree that by "mistake" people using that word are saying that she did not kill on purpose?? And let's stick to the other thread to go over again and again all that nurse did wrong!

2 Votes
3 hours ago, Wuzzie said:

So what’s left? Public shame? Really?

Wuzzie, we all see how badly you want to see this nurse be charged guilty as a criminal. Would you be willing to elaborate on what would be enough for you to feel justice was served? How many years in prison alongside willful murderers should she serve in your opinion?

2 Votes
16 minutes ago, mtnNurse. said:

Wuzzie, we all see how badly you want to see this nurse be charged guilty as a criminal. Would you be willing to elaborate on what would be enough for you to feel justice was served? How many years in prison alongside willful murderers should she serve in your opinion?

I can’t answer that because I don’t have an opinion on what her punishment should be. I don’t know if I even care if she doesn’t go to jail at all but I believe she should, at the very least, face a judge and explain herself. The courts can decide from there.

9 Votes
29 minutes ago, mtnNurse. said:

Here we go again, and in a new thread no less. Can we please just agree that by "mistake" people using that word are saying that she did not kill on purpose?? And let's stick to the other thread to go over again and again all that nurse did wrong!

I’m free to say what I want where I want. I was responding to a post directed at me on THIS thread. No need for you to be churlish considering I have never been disrespectful to you regarding your opinion.

2 Votes
1 minute ago, Wuzzie said:

I’m free to say what I want where I want. I was responding to a post directed at me on THIS thread. No need for you to be churlish considering I have never been disrespectful to you regarding your opinion.

You are right and I apologize for what I said. What I should have said was that I feel frustrated that we can't use the word 'mistake' or 'error' without going back and rehashing every single thing this nurse did wrong. All we are meaning by using those words is that it was accidental, meaning she did not kill on purpose. We know how bad she failed by not adhering to the med rights and by not monitoring. I would like the conversations about this to not repeat so many times how she didn't adhere to the med rights. But of course, it's not for me to say how often we repeat that. So continue on and seriously, I am sorry my post was rude because I would like to keep having intelligent discussions on what should happen now with this case and in preventing future failings of this magnitude.

6 Votes

Apology accepted. You can use the word “mistake” to your heart’s content. It’s your right. I’m still going to disagree that someone’s poor choice, someone who knew better, is a mistake.

4 Votes

I think if someone feels the need to hit the disagree button they should also have the balls to say why. Otherwise this like/dislike thing has the possibility of becoming a button pushing war when it comes to hot topics such as this.

3 Votes
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

I have to say I'm with Wuzzie on this. Yes, the hospital is at least as culpable. Yes, we all fear making the mistake that seriously harms or kills someone. But this nurse's actions are over-the-top unfathomable. Based on Tennessee law, it does meet criteria for her to be charged with homicide (intent not required).

Now it's up to the judicial system to decide. No, I don't think justice would be served by her doing jail time. But this should be a chilling reminder to all of us: sloppy practice can kill someone and once we've done that it's hard to control the repercussions.

7 Votes
1 minute ago, TriciaJ said:

I have to say I'm with Wuzzie on this. Yes, the hospital is at least as culpable. Yes, we all fear making the mistake that seriously harms or kills someone. But this nurse's actions are over-the-top unfathomable. Based on Tennessee law, it does meet criteria for her to be charged with homicide (intent not required).

Now it's up to the judicial system to decide. No, I don't think justice would be served by her doing jail time. But this should be a chilling reminder to all of us: sloppy practice can kill someone and once we've done that it's hard to control the repercussions.

Just to be clear, I’m liking this because I agree with you. ?

1 Votes

NurseBeth, I had already sent an email before you stated this thread. I sent it directly to the DA. This is setting a dangerous precedent. For those that think she should go to jail, just pray and hope you never make a med error, or communicate incorrectly. Make sure you never make a mistake as a nurse.

3 Votes
11 minutes ago, LovingLife123 said:

NurseBeth, I had already sent an email before you stated this thread. I sent it directly to the DA. This is setting a dangerous precedent. For those that think she should go to jail, just pray and hope you never make a med error, or communicate incorrectly. Make sure you never make a mistake as a nurse.

I’m actually hoping this goes to court and changes how we do things. Setting new precedent for maybe better patient ratios in healthcare which can reduce nurse mistakes/errors/misjudgements (whatever you choose to call it) due to poor working conditions and in turn promote healthier outcomes. It’s sad this has happened but I’m all for hoping this awful reality is the thing that helps the system change.

8 Votes
Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.
4 minutes ago, BarrelOfMonkeys said:

I’m actually hoping this goes to court and changes how we do things. Setting new precedent for maybe better patient ratios in healthcare which can reduce nurse mistakes/errors/misjudgements (whatever you choose to call it) due to poor working conditions and in turn promote healthier outcomes. It’s sad this has happened but I’m all for hoping this awful reality is the thing that helps the system change.

I think nurses are often set up to NOT be mindful. To juggle competing distractions. Airline pilots don't carry a phone and manage constant alarms and call lights with lives in their hands.

11 Votes
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