Unsafe nurse co-worker

[GeriatricNurse]

I am VERY concerned and distressed about another LPN's actions or lack there of. She has been employed in this facility for 5 years yet consistantly shows poor nursing judgement. Several nurses myself included and two physicians have expressed this to both the D.O.N. and NHA, yet nothing is being done. Almost on a daily basis she makes mistakes both in charting and life threatening to the residents, for example she failed to do an order for blood sugars q6 hours on a very unstable diabetic.....days later the normally a/o reisdent became unresponsive. When the residents family visited and asked the nurse what was wrong with their mother, her only action was to make an entry saying resident was lethargic and unable to stand or eat. She left frantic message on physicans office answering machine ( he wasnt in office ) Honestly she did no nursing assessement.....no vitals, no glucometer checks........ The next shift nurse upon assessment found residents blood sugar to be over 400 and resident was admitted to hospital after calling DR. at home. This is happening frequently........any advice on what i should do ? I am concerned for the safety of all our residents:o

[nur20]

Honestly, I will never understand management that allows this type of behavior!!!!!! Some say that LPN.s are not trained in critical thinking but they are so wrong. It seems that common sense would prompt her to do these procedures on a diabetic; blood sugar, vitals etc. Is she a nurse or a voodoo princess?? And what is up with the powers that be? Sounds like they have some major malfunctions too.This is not a good ole honest mistake, this is ridiculous.Didn't care?? Incompetent? burned out? What???? It needs to be addressed either by management or THE BOARDS.They surely would like to hear about this(or NOT like to hear about this)

[donmurray]

How is HER health? Physical and psychiatric? Can somebody not talk to her? or is this her normal practice for 5yrs.

[nrsnangel]

I think you should report her to the state licensing board in your state. She should not be allowed to work if she is being that unsafe. If your DON or NHA isn't doing anything about it then go above them. You need to think, if that was your mother or father or grandmother, would you want her taking care of them? Maybe she just need some training or something in assessment, but I would tell your DON that you will be reporting her(the coworker) to the state because you feel she is putting too many residents in danger. She should understand that. Good luck!!

[ktwlpn, LPN]

Originally posted by nur20

Honestly, I will never understand management that allows this type of behavior!!!!!! Some say that LPN.s are not trained in critical thinking but they are so wrong. It seems that common sense would prompt her to do these procedures on a diabetic; blood sugar, vitals etc. Is she a nurse or a voodoo princess?? And what is up with the powers that be? Sounds like they have some major malfunctions too.This is not a good ole honest mistake, this is ridiculous.Didn't care?? Incompetent? burned out? What???? It needs to be addressed either by management or THE BOARDS.They surely would like to hear about this(or NOT like to hear about this)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>This nurse should be reported(it is your duty to do so-legally and morally)If your powers-that-be will not act you really should.You can do so anonomously and you should gather some proof-dates of particular incidences.Your DON could try to put her on probation with another orientation period-I have seen this done with a few clueless nurses,both GN's and SPN's through the years and this approach can result in a competent co-worker...

[CoachCathy]

I agree that she needs to be reported. Before you jump out of your building, MAKE SURE that the powers that be have really been notified. I have seen nurses say "We have been complaining about this for months", when - in fact- they had only been complaining to each other, never reporting it to the DON. Most facilities have a grievance process. I would follow the formal grievance process. Write it up (keep a copy). If you are a facility that is part of a corporation, you may also want to contact your facility's consultant. You really then have two avenues to pursue - either DFS or the BON. If the facility is truly putting their head in the sand over this employee, then there are more problems than just that employee. In a case like this, DFS can actually wield the greater power. They would certainly get the BON involved, but would also investigate the DON and NHA. Good luck!