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 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.
I think all of your concerns are valid and I don't blame you for wanting to protect yourself. No, don't turn a blind eye. Document what is pertinent (such as the door being locked with her and someone else in there, gift cards unaccounted for, etc) to cover your own butt so you are not to blame.
Cover your tail and make sure that missing items, etc. cannot be pinned on you. Yes, I'd have an issue with being locked out of my own office, and I would confront the coworker about it first, then if it happened again, I'd take it higher. It sounds like she doesn't need any 'help' hanging herself.
There is a fine line between 'witch hunts' and 'getting involved'........but generally I think it's up to us to keep our own practice up to par and quit worrying about the practice of our coworkers......unless it DIRECTLY effects us. JMHO.
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
It is an issue to have a nurse bring in her S.O. who has a drug abuse history, is it not? Then things go disappearing? Are you seriously suggesting she turn a blind eye to this??? Come on. There are definite issues here. She is MINDING HER BUSINESS, by the way. She is protecting her nursing license and it is ethical that she holds her fellow nurses to these same standards. She is not being judgmental, in fact you are.
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?
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
grumpy....really fits with your post. Have you not read her recent post????
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 guess I'm a little less trusting. The OP points out legitimate huge ethical boundaries issues. Its not just that the boyfriend is hanging around, but the transfer to the clinic.
The other issue that I see is that I think that a lot of nurses don't really understand how a clinic works. In floor or LTC nursing you have a set number of patients and if boundary issues come up then you can shift assignments around. The nursing relationship is defined by the admission and there is no relationship after discharge from the particular unit (although most states still have a "cooling off period"). In the clinic all patients are potential patients of the anyone in the clinic. All patients are considered patients of the clinic itself and as such patients of any provider in the clinic. You can't really say I terminated my medical relationship with the patient unless the patient is terminated from the clinic. Moving your significant other to the clinic should be a big time warning that the nurse discussed does not understand boundaries at all.
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.
Hope it all turns out for the best.
I would generally agree with the exception of the drug discrepancies. Report them publicly per policy. The last thing you want to have happen when things go down is that you have a log of drug diversions and didn't tell anyone.
Am I the only one that thinks it's odd that the OP is all of a sudden coming up with all this info? It started it with just a bunch of vague assumptions, hearsay and a few pictures posted online to all of a sudden (after criticism from they forum) they share an office, there's $75 worth of gift cards missing, etc.
If it's all true, then yeah, I'd go to the supervisor...but this all seems odd to me. Also, it occurred to me that this woman may be the OP's supervisor...she said the woman was being hired as a clinical coordinator so she may not like it that this woman is above her...?
Am I the only one that thinks it's odd that the OP is all of a sudden coming up with all this info? It started it with just a bunch of vague assumptions, hearsay and a few pictures posted online to all of a sudden (after criticism from they forum) they share an office, there's $75 worth of gift cards missing, etc.
If it's all true, then yeah, I'd go to the supervisor...but this all seems odd to me. Also, it occurred to me that this woman may be the OP's supervisor...she said the woman was being hired as a clinical coordinator so she may not like it that this woman is above her...?
Somehow I doubt we're getting the whole story.
I really can't believe that I have been called jealous,because she may be pretty,a troll , or someone that other nurses need to be careful of and now a liar.
I posted my first post, with what I felt was unethical between a nurse and a patient. I did not feel I needed to state more until I got most of the responsed. I thought that it was all I needed to say. In my first post, it was not hearsay or speculation, I stated that 'she said'. She put that information out. She showed the photos. I understand that I should worry about my business but somehow, even being newly licensed, I think I know a little. I am not perfect and I am still learning but I know that by her having her bf come to the clinic where she came take care of him, it is not right. I thought we weren't allowed to take care of family or friends. I don't know.
My second post was more detailed because I did not state everything for I felt the 1st was enough. Did not think I needed to mention, sharing of an office, gift cards, etc. The 1st post state a conflict of interest, and that is not right.
She is not my supervisor. I only report to the director.I So that is not the case. I have nothing personal against her, just felt things were not right.
I guess I should sit back and let things happen and mind my own business like many of you say to do. But I can't do that, if I see something wrong it is my responsiblity as a nurse, to not ignore it.
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.
Not sure if you are refering to my post when talking about the troll. I said
I did not believe the OP is a troll.
My main concern was the amount of info you gave in a post from 2006. Should "that" nurse be browsing thru allnurses, she could easily put all this together.
Do the right thing tomorrow. Take the whole ball of wax to HR and lay it on the table. Then it is the responsibility of the hospital. They will have to take some sort of action. Good luck!
MassED, BSN, RN
2,636 Posts
I think all of your concerns are valid and I don't blame you for wanting to protect yourself. No, don't turn a blind eye. Document what is pertinent (such as the door being locked with her and someone else in there, gift cards unaccounted for, etc) to cover your own butt so you are not to blame.