Talk to me about ethical dilemmas in the ED

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Mar 3, 2005

It gets tought some times. If you are having difficulty resolving an issue in you specific department my best recommendation is to consult with your hospitals ethics board. Most hospitals have them, I think as a matter of fact it is a JACHO requirement to have one.

As far a specifics go one cant really generalize as each instance needs to be considered on its own within your systems standards of care.

Rj

RNFROG3, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2005

Hi everyone,
Thought I'd pick your brains about ethical dilemmas you may have experienced or witnessed in your practice...pls share your stories.
Many thanks,
Betty

Here's one -I reported a nurse for doing some action I felt was inappropriate. I was charge and so shocked by what I saw I didn't react right away other than to take over the care of the patient myself. The incident was investigated, somrthing was done(I'm not privy to that part because of the other nurses rights) then she's back on my shift and I've been "temporarily" relieved as charge. Now I went to the manager before the investigation was done and told her what I would have done differently because I felt I could have handled it better. She didn't say anything to me about being relieved. I got told the next night by a non-manager that I wouldn't be charge when the other nurse was on-I didn't really like the way I found out considering I stayed after working 12 hrs to meet with the manager., but okay I'll be able to deal with that. 4 weeks go by with 3 weeks of those shifts not having the nurse on and I wasn't charge. I went up the chain and noone knew I was relieved until I got to the asst manager. He said the temporary assignment change was from the manager and he had no excuse to me not being told. But all of them said I did the right thing by reporting it. Now I'm not allowed to talk about this and the doc's and other staff keep asking me why I'm not charge(non- paid- mind you). I feel like this sent a big message to the staff don't report or it will come back at you-look what happened to so and so. The Doc's are so confused because I've been charge for 3 years and I'm respected by them.

What it has caused me to do is look for a new position away from this manager.As for the other nurse we were never buddy buddy but after several weeks we have no problems doing our jobs. Though I'm sure she would rather I was gone she isn't the problem. So how is that for an ethical dilemma?