pearybRN

The AHRQ rhetoric is lengthy but certainly has merit. I won't say that the situation will pass by every nurse, but there may come a time when you are in the middle of a life or death situation which was created by error. You have to decide what to do and you have no idea which road you'll take until you get there. Its a business now, and when I went to school it was a way of life and a profession, so I went to gladiator school and took a wicked beating. Business is more important, but not to me. For me it was the right thing to do, however, remember this, doctors have money and buy and buy and buy. Would I do it again. I can't say that I would, it was that bad.

I'm so glad to hear that. However, all is not right across the board.1 in 4 Chance You’ll Be Harmed at a Hospital | Health Impact News

Depends on the error.

I do not believe people intentionally commit crimes against patients, but in error, and the crime occurs when it goes unreported and damages happen. This is not a new discovery. Its easy to cover-up errors in many situations. I can see most opinions here are understanding and quasi sympathetic, however, a rant or rambling post doesn't necessarily mean a deleterious mind. As a nurse and caregiver, patient safety is your main focus.

Most boards don't consider non felonies disqualifying as long as you don't try to cover it up. Make sure they're aware of it.

I feel most nurses who come upon physician errors have a tendency to either look the other way or consider alternative answers for the discoveries they've made. I come to this conclusion from the outcome made by John Hopkins Medical Ctr and Mass General Hospital through their research which ultimately caused them to change the causes of death in the U.S. For 25 years the U.S. has been dropping sharply in the international health poll quality. Its a complicated study but the U.S. public is left with the evidence that the 3rd leading cause of death is Medicalmals and over treatment. The details emerging from this study reveal quite the gap between patient, nurse and physician communication. Bluntly stated the professionals have been covering up errors for years. I had trouble sleeping at night so I told my stories which were eventually a costly venture opening up doors for the general public that are commonly closed. However, the stories are in viral mode and are being believed and acted upon. Be careful to your approach in identifying these criminals. They're in the room with you, and may in fact be your friend. Write it down on an incident report, copy it and keep the copy in a safe spot-on campus. Try to be as factual as you can be, having a witness is everything when they come after you. If you want to be involved with changing our world standing in health care quality in th U.S.you need to be proactive. Its your country, and someday you or your child could be a victim. So many safety issues escape the dollar value and the power of the Goliath 'for profit' system. PearyB RN

Not giving report? I've been a nurse for a long time and not giving report is something short of a nurse having a heart attack. Although a good excuse would also be easily acceptable.

Finally A nurse who believes that nursing is about giving of one self and working with the elderly and in firmed is part of that process.

The best place to learn internal medicine maybe in the nursing homes. I worked there for three years before I got licensed and I can tell you that its the best place to listen to heart sounds. The experience also trains you to be effectively organized to handle volumne which will come in handy later on.