Nurses letting other nurses chart on their account

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Does anyone know why it's illegal for nurses to let other nurses chart while they are logged in?

I saw my nurse have her friend nurse come chart while she was logged in.

Thanks

Specializes in Med-Surg.

Hey, here's a crazy thought. Did you ASK this nurse why she let her friend chart on her computer?

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Jesus.

NEVERMIND. You misunderstood the post there.

For someone who isn't a nurse who's calling themselves a nurse to come to a forum to ask for advice from nurses, I think you should be less defensive. He/she drew a conclusion from what you stated. If it was misinterpreted, then you should help us understand and not get snippy. I actually interpreted what you said the same way.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

FWIW, I thought the same as psu_213. If you bring something up, then cyberstomp off when you get a response you didn't want, no one learns or can help.

I may be wrong, but I thought it was against TOS to call one's self a nurse when one is not a nurse. Have to check that.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Well, I guess it wasn't just that specific charting act that I witnessed which gave me the gut feeling she wasn't being professional. But who knows, she may have been having a bad day or she hates her job.

And my question of whether I should report this or not, was just for my own reference for the future. I'm smart enough to know that I shouldn't intervene or butt in based on observing her for one day only.

Clearly there is more to the story if you made a comment about her not liking her job. Just like care plans...what evidence do you have to support that statement?

Once you graduate you will understand the frustrations that are so very prevalent in your everyday job. Your first year after graduation are going to be very difficult. Nurses are expected to do everything. We are responsible for everything but have very little control. we are the whipping post for the entire facility. If ANYTHING goes wrong it is of course out fault.

Nursing is a great profession...if you are strong enough. We have our bad days too.

Be careful about judging others for you will end up being on the recieving end. Come back to this post when you feel you are being bullied as a new grad.

There but for the grace of God go I.

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Specializes in Emergency, ICU.

I may be wrong, but I thought it was against TOS to call one's self a nurse when one is not a nurse. Have to check that.

It's against TOS to use credentials that are not yours, but the word nurse is not a protected title. But then again, that's in the real world. AN might consider it against TOS.

Off topic, I know.

OP: since you don't give us details, it may have been a valid situation. In general, no, you wouldn't allow someone to use the EMR under your login. But, sometimes you help a colleague out. For example, I'm busy taking blood and the lab transporter shows up and wants the specimen now. I may ask my friend/colleague to hit print on the lab slip from the COW I'm logged in at. Not ideal but life happens.

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It's against TOS to use credentials that are not yours, but the word nurse is not a protected title. But then again, that's in the real world. AN might consider it against TOS.

Actually, the title "Nurse" is protected to some extent in several states.

From the ANA: Title "Nurse" Protection: Summary of Language by State and Title "Nurse" Protection.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
It's against TOS to use credentials that are not yours, but the word nurse is not a protected title. But then again, that's in the real world. AN might consider it against TOS.

Off topic, I know.

OP: since you don't give us details, it may have been a valid situation. In general, no, you wouldn't allow someone to use the EMR under your login. But, sometimes you help a colleague out. For example, I'm busy taking blood and the lab transporter shows up and wants the specimen now. I may ask my friend/colleague to hit print on the lab slip from the COW I'm logged in at. Not ideal but life happens.

It is a violation of the TOS ....we contact members privately if a name change is necessary. Sometimes they are a nurse in another country sometimes they are a LPN but it is addressed PRIVATELY!

Actually....and also off topic....nurse IS a protected title in many states....Title "Nurse" Protection

Some states also make it criminal...

Arkansas 17-87-104. Penalty

(a)(1) It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to:

(D) Use in connection with his or her name any of the following titles, names, or initials, if the user is not properly licensed under this chapter:

(i) Nurse;

(ii) Registered nurse or R.N.;

(iii) Advanced practice nurse or A.P.N., or any of the following:

(a) Advanced registered nurse practitioner, A.R.N.P., or A.N.P.;

(b) Nurse anesthetist, certified nurse anesthetist, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or C.R.N.A.;

© Nurse midwife, certified nurse midwife, licensed nurse midwife, C.N.M., or L.N.M.; or

(d) Clinical nurse specialist or C.N.S.;

(iv) Registered nurse practitioner, N.P.,or R.N.P.;

(v) Licensed practical nurse, practical nurse, or L.P.N.;

(vi) Licensed psychiatric technician nurse, psychiatric technician nurse, L.P.T.N., or P.T.N.; or

(vii) Any other name, title, or initials that would cause a reasonable person to believe the user is licensed under this chapter;

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Specializes in OB.
FWIW, I thought the same as psu_213. If you bring something up, then cyberstomp off when you get a response you didn't want, no one learns or can help.

Off topic, but what a great word, "cyberstomp!"

On topic, I'm not sure why the other nurse was WILLING to chart for the first nurse. Strange story.

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Oh my, no she didn't. And if that patient sues, and her friend charted the wrong thing or not exactly what her friend Would have charted it. If I'm an attorney I Would eat them alive in court.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

MODERATOR NOTE:

Please debate the post NOT the poster!

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A couple of thoughts:

1) On occasion, one of us will use someone else's open screen to check for a patient's name or a medication just because we don't have a computer at the Pyxis. There's no charting going on, just checking patient information.

2) On one occasion, one of our travelers had her account closed in the middle of the shift. While we were waiting for IT to get it back online, I let her log into my account and chart through it. Each time she did, she would "sign" her own name. It was not the best situation but a pragmatic way to keep up with our very busy, very fast paced ER.

The biggest problem is that I would forget she was there and log in myself... and bump her out mid-sentence.

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This problem should be addressed via the facility's policy manual, and also a bulletin to be displayed conspicuously, then everyone will know it is not legal to chart for a colleague. However, if a nurse has assessed, and rendered care to a patient who is assigned to a colleague of hers, then she need to chart what she has done, and add her signature.

E.g Patient A is assigned to Nurse M however while she was in another room attending to a very sick patient....Patient B fell in the hallway ...the aide notified the charge nurse;knowing that Nurse M is busy looking after a very sick patient ...she assessed patient B, rendered first aid, notified the MD.,received orders via telephone, and implemented the orders then she charted, and signed patient B's chart...she also notified Nurse M about the occurrence, and what she has done...in order for her to do the follow up assessment.

Scenario: It is not her patient, but since Nurse M did not render care...the charge nurse had to write, and signed the nurse’s note, because legally she is responsible.

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