I am an HIV LPN(NEW). My company hired a RN for role of clinic coordinator. This Rn was fired from a previous job 4-5 years ago, unknown reasons. We had the opportunity to interview her, myself and 3 PA's and her longest job in 5 years was 4 months. We said no, our director said yes.
She used to work at one of our affiliates clinics(where she was fired) and she asked me how can a pt. get transfered to us. We are a HIV clinic. I told her they just have to come over and change doctors. Needless to say the patient that she wanted to come over is also her live in boyfriend , who she met at the other clinic. She said she divorced her DOctor husband to be with him. She was his nurse and the pt is also a strong substance abuser. There are pictures of them kissing and on vacation on her web site. She has access to RX forms and other things. He is always here, hanging around. We sent pictures to our director, secretly, yesterday.
We don't know what will happen next.
QUESTION??????????Should the Illinois BON be informed. I looked up our nurses act and it states that one of the reasons for getting your license revoked, suspended is sexual contact with a patient.
I tend to think that the OP is a new, overzealous nurse for the moment, maybe younger than most of us...I could be wrong. Bottom line, the OP should stay out of it, unless things suddenly start walking that may point to her license and integrity as a nurse.
She's 42, so she's not exactly green as far as life experiences but she does say she is a new LPN
I have been reading this thread and I have to be blunt,you should get on with your work and leave her alone, spying on a co worker if it does not put a patient in harms way is not part of your job description
Gossip is evil and can destroy so many lives. There are never good intentions. That being said I did a little research on my own.
Sometimes I think we forget that if someone looks up our profile, they can also view all our other posts that have been written. I will check this out especially when I think we have a troll in our midst.(I am not saying the OP ia troll) So with that....
The OP posted in June 2006 for the first time. In that post she revealed her age, a teenage son, where she was enrolling at nursing school, the hospital she was working at as a CMA, her e-mail address and her first name!
She did not post again until this month saying she was preparing to take the NCLEX. She stated she got her results on 6-19-08. As of 06-24-08 she was still waiting on her license to arrive.
Sometimes we forget what a small, small world we live in. Sometimes we forget what a small world allnurses.com is.
This is an incredible amount of info I know about the OP. I cannot imagine how I would feel if I was a member here and made the connection that another member had posted such blatent gossip about me. And that member was a co-worker.
I could "read" all kinds of things into the info I have learned about the OP-but then I don't know her. Assumptions and gossip. These are things that help destroy lives.
Gossip is evil and can destroy so many lives. There are never good intentions. That being said I did a little research on my own.
Sometimes I think we forget that if someone looks up our profile, they can also view all our other posts that have been written. I will check this out especially when I think we have a troll in our midst.(I am not saying the OP ia troll) So with that....
The OP posted in June 2006 for the first time. In that post she revealed her age, a teenage son, where she was enrolling at nursing school, the hospital she was working at as a CMA, her e-mail address and her first name!
She did not post again until this month saying she was preparing to take the NCLEX. She stated she got her results on 6-19-08. As of 06-24-08 she was still waiting on her license to arrive.
Sometimes we forget what a small, small world we live in. Sometimes we forget what a small world allnurses.com is.
This is an incredible amount of info I know about the OP. I cannot imagine how I would feel if I was a member here and made the connection that another member had posted such blatent gossip about me. And that member was a co-worker.
I could "read" all kinds of things into the info I have learned about the OP-but then I don't know her. Assumptions and gossip. These are things that help destroy lives.
I thank everyone for your response even though I did not expect to get some of the responses. When I said we did not 'ok' her being hired, it was only because of her not being stable in a job. I am not trying to get her fired, the reason we found out about the website was through her. She invited all the co workers to join her blogs. We were not snooping on that, we seen the pictures when she started, and she said it was her'guy' but that was before he was told to come to our clinic by her. I do take the blame for wanting to contact BON. I did not print the pictures or give them to the director, I said we because it was coworkers.
With the guy hanging around, I have a issue because the 2 of us share an office, and once I tried my key and could not get in because it was doubled locked with the 2 of them in there. I could have said something there but didn't because I was uncomfortable. We do have medications in our office and I am afraid I could be blamed for something if it should happen. We keep gift cards in our office and I know for sure that 75 dollars worth is unaccounted for. So I have started locking up my things. Also, today his doctor noticed that Tramadol was filled twice under her name within 8 days. So that is being investigated.
I do feel bad that it seems like I am out to get her, but I thought I had a duty to report unethical issues. Am I suppose to turn a blind eye and just let things happen? We are a grant funded clinic, should I just wait for us to be audited or investigaed by various departments? If I see something that is not ethical in regards to nursing care, should I just let it go?
If you have concerns why not just go to you manager privately to discuss this issue?! Calling the BON to potentially go after her license would never be my first response in a situation like this. Let your manager try and rectify the situation by you bringing it to her attention in a mature and professional manner.
I also wonder if some are ticked she was hired when they didn't want her there and will now make it their job to make sure she loses hers.
I think it's amazing how many people are willing to just run with the "live and let live" philososophy here. It may be why we have so many problems in nursing..........because no one wants to get involved.
It's not gossip when someone is doing something unethical. We all remember ethics right? If you have your boyfriend transfered into the clinic where you work, that should pose an ethical dilemma from the standpoint that you have access to his records. Someone needs to question that.
If you transfer your boyfriend into the clinic where you work, and he has a substance abuse problem, and you have access to substances, that's a huge red flag.
And really, if a coworker told me their current squeeze was a former patient, and an addict, and she'd love for him to be where I work everyday.......well, I'd be talking to someone about that real darn quick. It's not gossip, it's because you apparently have a serious lack of boundaries, and some potential for poor decision making.
I worked hard for my license. I don't want to be responsible for anyone else's screw up's. And if I think there is a potential for your behavior to cause an unnecessary visit by the state, or JC, believe me, I will sing with all the information that YOU have given me.
It's not gossip when you are reporting potential safety issues, or workplace issues. Remember, this woman was more than happy to share the particulars of her personal life. She could have kept her mouth shut, and no one would have been the wiser. She should have no expectation of privacy
honestly, i would have concerns if sharing an office and things were missing.
i certainly wouldn't want to be unjustly accused of anything.
i also would be irritated if my door were locked.
as for the ultram refills, it sounds like the rn will eventually hang herself.
i probably would share my concerns w/the nm, about anything being stolen from your office, and anything else you find ethically or legally questionable.
but i'm still not seeing justification in any reports to the bon?
Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.
This is so disturbing on so many levels. The nurse referred her significant other for medical care, the ethical issue is the OP'S ACTIONS. Who knows why she was fired in the past, her " doctor" husband could have been an abuser, controller, addict or the nicest guy next door. Just because this guy is HIV + and a substance abuser means nothing. She could be his support system, instead it sounds like you've decided she's his drug connection. You know nothing about her past, her present,or their relationship.
All that matters is if she's doing her job, period. Gee, haven't you read thru his medical record by now? This intrusiveness is despicable,you should MYOB, it's not your concern. Don't they still teach nurses to be non-judgmental? You're ready to hang her before a crime, judge or jury, unbelievable
I thank everyone for your response even though I did not expect to get some of the responses. When I said we did not 'ok' her being hired, it was only because of her not being stable in a job. I am not trying to get her fired, the reason we found out about the website was through her. She invited all the co workers to join her blogs. We were not snooping on that, we seen the pictures when she started, and she said it was her'guy' but that was before he was told to come to our clinic by her. I do take the blame for wanting to contact BON. I did not print the pictures or give them to the director, I said we because it was coworkers.
With the guy hanging around, I have a issue because the 2 of us share an office, and once I tried my key and could not get in because it was doubled locked with the 2 of them in there. I could have said something there but didn't because I was uncomfortable. We do have medications in our office and I am afraid I could be blamed for something if it should happen. We keep gift cards in our office and I know for sure that 75 dollars worth is unaccounted for. So I have started locking up my things. Also, today his doctor noticed that Tramadol was filled twice under her name within 8 days. So that is being investigated.
I do feel bad that it seems like I am out to get her, but I thought I had a duty to report unethical issues. Am I suppose to turn a blind eye and just let things happen? We are a grant funded clinic, should I just wait for us to be audited or investigaed by various departments? If I see something that is not ethical in regards to nursing care, should I just let it go?
Thanks to you all.
Write everything down, ask for a meeting with your DON and administration. Sometimes we get caght up in the speculation and it's best
to just nip in the bud. The longer all of you wait to take action, the longer the situation festers.
At a position I was in years ago (not nursing) we had an employee who everyone believed was stealing. All evidence pointed in his direction. "Shady past" that included jail, DUI, drugs, and a real winner of a wife. In the end it was a co-worker of mine that I trusted explicitly. Over a period of five years she stolen over $ 70,000! I was crushed. I also learned a lot about assumption and gossip.
Just remember when posting what a small world this is. I actually started a thread a few months ago that was pulled because the mods that it had too much info and might be recognized by another member. It had no more info than your post!
Good luck with this situation and let us know the outcome.
Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.
Many times nurses like this will "hang" themselves. Instead of sending pictures to the director and reporting her to the BON you need to be keeping track of your suspicions privately. Record drug discrepancies, lost or stolen items, times that you were locked out of your own office. Keep your opinions to yourself and maintain a professional relationship with your coworkers. Gossip and speculation should never be a part of the workplace. She is going to be resentful of you and may try to attack you if she discovers what you have been doing behind her back. It is best to "watch and wait" until you have enough evidence to rule one way or another. If she has only stayed
I think we have all worked with people who we have suspected of things and it is important to watch for suspicious behavior, but it is also important not to go on a witch hunt. Some of her behavior was obviously inappropriate--engaging in a relationship with a patient, for one.
cherrysky
37 Posts
She's 42, so she's not exactly green as far as life experiences but she does say she is a new LPN