Student caught stealing....

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Specializes in Cardiac Step Down, PICU.

Would you press criminal charges if one of your students took money from your wallet? The student has been expelled from the program but has not returned the money If I press charges theres a chance I could get my money back and hopefully she would be prevented from applying to another nursing school... Just looking for opinions. Thanks!

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Specializes in Endoscopy/MICU/SICU.

I would think about pursuing it. This person should not be working with patients, who knows what they'd steal from sick, unsuspecting victims. Was it a lot of money that this person stole? I doubt there's any chance of getting it back without them giving it to you, but you never know...

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I would. It's not so much about getting the money back as it is the fact that she went into my personal belongings without my consent and stole something.

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You bet! They are a thief and need to be taught a lesson.

You may not get your money back but at least with a criminal record saddled on the backside, it will remind them they have no business being a nurse.

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Press charges, but don't be too dissappointed if nothing comes of it.

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This student has some serious cojones to do that! She needs to have charges pressed against her. I am sure this was not her first time stealing and how many times do you think that she has probably gotten away with it? I am a strong believer in "correctional" therapy. Maybe this will be the wakeup call she needs to change her ways. Can I ask how she was caught?

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I think you should! This person doesnt need to be taking care of vulnerable and unsuspecting patients. I'm wondering how much the nursing student took from you? If its a small amount I dont think youll be able to get it back . Sorry :( and good luck.

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Specializes in Cardiac Step Down, PICU.

I noticed $20.00 missing from my wallet last week. This Thursday I owed money to a co-worker (She makes American Girl Doll clothes) and there was a book fair at work. On Thursday morning I stopped at the ATM before clinicals. I knew I was taking a chance by having the $94.00 in my wallet (spent 6 on coffees and fruit cup. breakfast of champions! ) This week I chose to put our belongings in a more secure breakroom. No lockers for students but a room that clearly says staff only. When the student came back from MRI she went right to the breakroom. 15 minutes later she came to me and asked where did you put my things? I put her bookbag in the breakroom as her patient was going off to MRI right as the students arrived..

Given that I was missing money from the week before I checked my wallet when I showed the student where her belongings were. My money wasa gone. I had the students check theeir belongings and this one student claimed her credit card was missing. I had no choice but to notify security. They came and interviewed us then informed us they's check the security camera tapes, and that it really helps that we know that it happened in a 2 hour window. Ony a housekeeper and the student were in the room. The housekeeper was questioned and sent home pending the investigation. My student let them send an innocent woman home!:mad:

Security had me watch the tapes. I noticed the student went into the room and spent 6 minutes in there before comeing to get me to ask where her things were. Later on the tape you see me showing her where her items are. She claimed to have cancelled her sredit card. Security checked...no cancelled card. Security caled the student at home and got a confession. Student expelled. Meeting with the dean pending to formalize. It's now up to me to decide if I want to press chartges or not. It's not about the money. I don't want her to be able to get into another nursing program. I'm thinking that by pressing charges she'd have it on her record...maybe preventing her from being able to do clinicals.

The most distressing part about all of this is that she diverted from patient care. Her patient is in renal failure with uncontrolled HTN and needed his BP meds. Her priority was not to administer meds...it was to steal:mad::mad::mad:And she watched an innocent woman take the blame:mad::mad::mad:

I guess I am a little mad...I'm waiting to see if I hear from the Dean tahat she intends to return the money with the other items she owes the school. I'm giving it until Monday....any opinions are appreciated/

Thanks!

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Put a scarlet letter on them

They need it

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Again, don't expect the police to do much more than take a report. But at least you will have followed through.

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Specializes in chemical dependency detox/psych.

I agree with the pressing charges folks. This person should not be allowed to be around vulnerable patients.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
It's not about the money. I don't want her to be able to get into another nursing program. I'm thinking that by pressing charges she'd have it on her record...maybe preventing her from being able to do clinicals.

In that case, press charges: most schools and clinical sites don't look too kindly upon a student with a criminal record. However, it's no guarantee that she'd never be able to enter another nursing program or do clinicals, especially if they decide to drop the charges if she makes restitution.

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