Sentinel event effects on involved nurses

[Emergent, RN]

We had a sentinel effect at my hospital that sounds like was caused by the nurse's lack of due diligence. Scary to hear about. The nurse has resigned in lieu of termination, I've heard. I don't dare to elaborate here in a public forum, but wish to generally bring up this subject.

Yes, sometimes it's the fault of the nurse. I'm sure there'll be an inquiry. I feel for this nurse, although I always had doubts regarding her critical thinking, and I wasn't alone in that opinion.

Thoughts? Part of me thinks "But for the grace of God go I", yet on the other hand, I hear this nurse had 2 other per diem jobs and wonder where individual responsibility plays a role in these types of negative outcomes. Fatigue can be a factor.

Not everything is a system failure. Sometimes individual failings lead to fatal errors. We as nurses hold the lives of our patients in our hands. This is a grave responsibility.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

We had an agency nurse who fit that description. I and another nurse asked the manager to assign her to telemetry. Her negligence and lack of knowledge along with incompetent medical management led to a sentinel event. The manager denied knowing about her poor performance in the RCA. I should have followed that conversation up with an email. It would have been useful to have been able to produce a copy of it during the RCA.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I know plenty of people who I wouldn't let touch me with a 10 foot pole. They are in all levels of healthcare from CNA, LPN, RN, N/P, and MD. Sometimes you just KNOW they are dangerous. You can voice your opinion, you can document, you have to CYA with any interaction with them, but you alone can not stop their scary care (or the lack of it). Sadly sometimes these events are not even enough to bring a change to that person's care or career. SCARY stuff.