Unsafe Practice and Board of Nursing

Have you ever reported your work to the board of nursing for unsafe practices and working conditions? I wondered what happened-investigation, etc...if anything. If you could elaborate or if you know there is a link to a discussion about this already, please post. Thanks in advance.

When I was a new nurse I worked in a nursing home that was truly horrible. I knew 15 minutes into my first shift I'd made a huge mistake. Care was horrible. It would take me a day and ten pages to relate to anyone what happened in the six months I worked there. I thought I could change things. I thought I, by myself, could improve the care at the facility. I always believed one person can make a difference. I still believe that, but I'm enough of a realist now to concede some situations require more that one person.

I turned the facility into the state for violations.

The state investigated, slapped the facilities hand, and nothing changed.

I was fired over a situation that occurred at the nursing home. I believe I was fired because I blew the whistle.

They turned ME into the state. The state investigated me and I was cleared.

Whistle blowers never never win, and I would never do it again.

i'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but the BON is for INDIVIDUAL nurses being unsafe. You stated "work".. I don't know if that is unsafe or lax policies, poor staffing... lax delegation to those not authorized to perform? perhaps you need joint commission or do you have a corporate compliance number?

While I understand your need for privacy to protect you... we really need a bit more GENERAL information as to what your concern is. Is it a specific nurse, management, corporate? If you'd please elaborate we could be of more help.

First you need to make detailed documentation.

Second you need to figure out which agencies regulate your facility. Most likely your State's Dept of Health Services will be the entity to contact.

Follow the Dept's system of reporting.

you better be right and able to prove what you say and willing to work elsewhere

I personally know of a nurse who reported a FMC center to DHHS for unsafe practice, etc. If there was nothing there to find, the center could not be tagged. The center received an IJ it was so bad! The Area Manager knew who had reported the center because he reported them to her first without results. She then put so much pressure on him, he felt like he was having a heart attack. He asked to leave to go to the ER, they would not let him leave until they gave him 2 corrective actions. This is the same Area Manager who has all of the trouble with her centers. She is vindictive. I also heard another story where she reported a Clinical Manager to the board of nursing for not performing cpr on a patient that had been dead for almost an hour. 3 other nurses were involved and still kept their jobs. They were favorites of the Area Manager. 2 of the 3 nurses stood over the patient without performing cpr-but they lied on the CM stating that she was the primary nurse for the patient when in fact the CM was in another bay working as a pct when the patient was already dead. I also heard that the ED report stated that the patient died of natural causes but the AM was so worried about keeping her job when she knew that morning the center was short staffed. Give me some feedback on this guys!