To tell or not to tell!

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I am orientating on an intermediate care unit and can't believe what I am seeing. I have seen blood transfusions started without gloves, meds being pulled and set on top of the cart and left unattended, computer screen left on with patient data clearly visible and left unattended, no gowns being used in patients rooms that are on contact precautions. I can go on and on. I am a strong patient advocate and feel the need to tell someone so that these things do NOT continue. What do I do?

Specializes in CCRN, ED, Unit Manager.
So I could be fired for being a patient advocate? Well I guess this is a small price to pay for looking out for what is best for my patients.

They will probably gladly oblige you. Honestly, I would.

There are ways of correcting correctable behaviors, and your posts in this topic do not demonstrate a knowledge of how that process works.

Good luck in your future in nursing. Making mountains out of all of these mole hills is going to be a lot of work for you in the long run.

If a new person notices that their new job environment includes practices that are not optimum, and decides a training module will fix the situation I don't think they have enough experience to successfully pull off the whistleblower role.

Someone who wants to affect workplace culture needs to understand why the situation exists, first and to assume it is because people don't know any better is the wrong approach right out of the gate.

Making waves is pretty easy but connecting the waves to actual change is very difficult even when your goals are admirable. You will most likely lose your job in the process and then you won't have any patients to advocate for there.

^^^ Exactly.

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Specializes in Management, Med/Surg, Clinical Trainer.

Real world nursing is not like school nursing AT ALL. Once you are on the floor for awhile you will see, you will get busy, and accidently

leave your computer screen up....or dash off to dose in an Emergency and leave a bottle of insulin on the counter. That is what it is.

A training module is not going to change the tide on that floor. This implies that the NM or eduction has time to develop it, and then nurss who are probably swamped have time to be pulled off the floor to view it. Not happening.

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@XNavyCorpsman -

What did you decide to do?

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Specializes in ICU.

Hello there XNavyCorpsman... I understand where you're coming from. Please try not to be frustrated by some of the responses you are getting... The guys and gals on AN are usually very straightforward in their responses; I find that most of these responses are suggesting that, while your cause is great, you may find that you'll create more upset than change if you act on your gut...

Adapting to nursing in civilian hospitals, having been trained and acclimated to such a disciplined environment as an HM, will be difficult. You will want to scream, rip your hair out or deliver a floor-wide b****-slap when you notice certain mistakes. These things, while not okay, are not worth bringing to management. It won't effect change. & sadly, you will alienate yourself from your team, despite your intentions. You will find your every move scrutinized and that noone can spare a moment to help you when you're overwhelmed.

In these instances, I find you can usually drop some clear hints to your team in a helpful way... You may find that the nurse who left her screen up heard a crash in the next room over because a patient fell. We all screw up or forget little things here and there... help out your fellow nurse. Does that computer monitor have an 'F4' logoff key? I bet you that noone will chase you down to yell at you for logging them out.. Your gloveless nurse? Quietly come into the room, grab a medium sized pair of gloves. No need to say it out loud. Just hand 'em over.

You can't control the actions of others, but how you react can contribute to positive outcomes. Good luck :-) (& sorry for the novel)

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Dramatic, much? We're not saying turn a blind eye, we're saying take it up with the people doing it and don't tattle to the manager. (At least most of the posters are, I haven't read all of them.)

Basically, use grown up behavior.

And, "rat out"? Like the mob? LOL! Yes, take it up with the cheaters, and if they don't stop, take it up the ladder. Are you going to put a hit on me now? :roflmao:

that has got to be one of the most idiotic comments i have read on allnurses in a while ... how's that for grown up behavior? =)

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Gonna put you down for a pair of size 8 cement shoes, m'kay?

actually... maybe second...

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There is a talk like a pirate day....we need a talk like Mobster day!!

No really Frankie, ya need to Fuhgeddaboutit! Let it go before ya push'n up pie tins!

lol

maybe .... third...

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"You shred it, wheat!"

In mobster translation: "You said it!"

Always a good morning when you are at work, eating a banana and looking up mobster slang from the Dirty 30's. lol

and 4th

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
that has got to be one of the most idiotic comments i have read on allnurses in a while ... how's that for grown up behavior? =)
I did not think the comment was idiotic. Perhaps I caught the humorous aspect of it, which is difficult to convey when communicating online.

There's nothing idiotic about addressing bad behavior with the people who are doing it.

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that has got to be one of the most idiotic comments i have read on allnurses in a while ... how's that for grown up behavior? =)

Looks like your feelings got hurt.

The grownup thing to do is not to imply that someone you disagree with is an idiot. So, since I am not particularly grown up, I am going to point out that using no caps and a smiley and stating "how's that for grown up?" is pretty funny. Might as well put "nana nana booboo" at the end and stick your tongue out.

I enjoyed your post and got a laugh out of it. It's too bad you didn't get the humor in mine.

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I am not getting the level of concern over the computer screen. I know it's the law but I wonder the actual damages to an inpatient from a visitor walking by. Are they speed readers? You're making it seem like they are standing at an abandoned computer browsing a patient's chart in some secluded hallway.

And isn't there any security built in? Ours go into sleep mode pretty quick.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
You've only just begun to work, white scrubs and promises, a kiss for luck and you're on your way.....

Thanks for this - I needed a giggle.

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