Sending People to the Hospital

[addylpn]

I work at a privately owned ALF, recently several nurses were reprimanded for sending residents to the hospital because of low census. Management has put the guilt trip on the nurses and have threatened to fire if it continues. All of the reasons were legitimate reasons or the family had insisted they go out. Isn't it our job to protect these people? If we try to treat the resident at the facility but no progress is made, wouldn't it be considered negligent not to send them out for the appropriate treatment?

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Yes, I want to protect both the patient and my own license. You are right, the administrater is not an LPN so is at no risk! All the responsibility will fall back on the nurses. I was taught in school to protect my license because a facility would have no problems throwing me under the bus if a potential lawsuit would occur. Time to move on!!!

And no one is quicker to say "I never said that" than a non-nurse administrator who is caught doing something unethical.

[trishmsn]

... and possibly an investigation from state.... I would get outta there fast!!!

VERY fast!!! I would much rather lose a job than my license. I have walked before due to unsafe conditions and/or being asked to fabricate documentation or other forms!