RN New Hire - what would you expect them to do?

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2014

Was the sharp uncapped? Was there medication involved? Did the nurse leave the room to get something and come back or did they forget the sharp? You're going to have to be more specific.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Feb 25, 2014

I would have expected them to have learned a great deal from that error.

Then I would have LEFT THEM ALONE.

schnookimz · Feb 25, 2014

Honestly I probably would have expected nothing. If they're generally overwhelmed and brand new are you even sure they would know they needed to write a self report?

Was the sharp anywhere near the patient?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2014

Or would you fire them?

Firing a new hire for what seems like an honest mistake would seem, to me, overly punitive and way over the top. If no one was injured I think we should give people the benefit of the doubt before jumping on the punishment bandwagon.

Retired APRN, MSN, RN, APRN · Feb 25, 2014

I only fired a new hire on a first infraction one time, and that was a case of witnessed patient abuse. Otherwise, especially if this is a new grad, I'd just thank them for telling me (assuming I'm the preceptor or charge or otherwise in authority), say with a smile that I'm sure they won't do that again, and drop it.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2014

They / them who, and what are they doing in her room? Did they see the sharp and report it to her? Did she see them? Did they observe her doing something?

Yes, I am being critical. Bad grammar is confusing, and so unnecessary.

I would not expect to make a big hairy deal out of a new staff member having left a sharp (like a #11 blade) out on, say, a counter in a patient room unless it was within reach of the patient or what we call an attractive nuisance, like a syringe with a functioning needle when you know the family members are junkies. I would be satisfied if it was reliably determined to have been found and disposed of promptly upon her return. However, I might ask how this came to happen, point out the sharps box in the room with a reminder to use it without fail, and say, "Go forth and sin no more."

And if one of my staff were trying to make a big hairy deal out of it, I would tell her, "Thank you. Mind your own business."

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Feb 26, 2014

They / them who, and what are they doing in her room? Did they see the sharp and report it to her? Did she see them? Did they observe her doing something?

Yes, I am being critical. Bad grammar is confusing, and so unnecessary.
I would not expect to make a big hairy deal out of a new staff member having left a sharp (like a #11 blade) out on, say, a counter in a patient room unless it was within reach of the patient or what we call an attractive nuisance, like a syringe with a functioning needle when you know the family members are junkies. I would be satisfied if it was reliably determined to have been found and disposed of promptly upon her return. However, I might ask how this came to happen, point out the sharps box in the room with a reminder to use it without fail, and say, "Go forth and sin no more."

And if one of my staff were trying to make a big hairy deal out of it, I would tell her, "Thank you. Mind your own business."

"Big Hairy Deal".. Thanks,

I forgot about that phrase. It's certainly back into my vocabulary!

MrChicagoRN, RN · Feb 26, 2014

You found your mistake, then corrected it.

Learn from it, and move on.

nursey246 · Mar 6, 2014

The most I would expect would be writing themselves up. No firing. Brand new RN, overwhelmed with their new job and forgot to toss their sharp? It happens. They need to know how serious it could be and write themselves up and move on.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2014

I wouldn't make an issue out of it UNLESS the pt was being hospitalized for suicidal attempt/self harm.

wooh, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2014

I wouldn't fire them. But I wouldn't question a manager that did fire someone for it.